Why You Should Avoid Using Bicarbonate Soda for Health and Home

December 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Just half a teaspoon of bicarbonate soda contains approximately 630 mg of sodium, roughly a quarter of the daily recommended limit for a healthy adult. Despite its popular reputation as a harmless 'cure-all,' you should avoid using bicarbonate soda for both home remedies and cleaning, as excessive or improper use can pose significant health risks and cause permanent damage to surfaces.

Quick Summary

This article details the serious health risks, including metabolic alkalosis and gastric rupture, and cleaning hazards associated with bicarbonate soda. It examines the side effects of ingesting high sodium levels and lists which delicate household surfaces can be damaged by its abrasive properties. Safer alternatives for both medicinal and household uses are explored.

Key Points

High Sodium Content: A single teaspoon of bicarbonate soda contains over 1,000 mg of sodium, posing a significant risk for individuals with hypertension or kidney issues.
Metabolic Alkalosis: Excessive ingestion can dangerously alter the body's pH, leading to symptoms like confusion, muscle twitching, and heart arrhythmias.
Gastric Rupture Risk: The chemical reaction with stomach acid can cause a rapid buildup of gas, potentially leading to a ruptured stomach, especially after a large meal.
Skin Irritation: Its alkaline nature can disrupt the skin's protective acid mantle, leading to redness, dryness, and irritation, making it unsuitable for skincare.
Surface Damage: The abrasive texture can permanently scratch and dull delicate household surfaces such as glass, marble, and aluminum.
Drug Interactions: Bicarbonate soda can interfere with the absorption and effectiveness of many medications, including certain antibiotics and aspirin.
Harm to Vulnerable Groups: Pregnant women, children, and those with heart or kidney disease should strictly avoid using bicarbonate soda as a remedy unless under a doctor's supervision.

Health Risks of Internal Bicarbonate Soda Use

While often touted as a natural remedy for ailments like heartburn, the unsupervised, long-term, or excessive ingestion of bicarbonate soda (sodium bicarbonate) carries significant health risks. A key concern is its extremely high sodium content. Just one teaspoon can exceed 1,000 mg of sodium, which is a substantial portion of the American Heart Association's daily allotment for those with high blood pressure. Chronic overuse can lead to serious health complications, affecting the body's delicate balance of electrolytes and pH.

Sodium Overload and Electrolyte Imbalance

Overconsuming bicarbonate soda can cause a dangerous condition known as metabolic alkalosis, where the body's blood pH becomes excessively alkaline. This can lead to a cascade of side effects, including muscle spasms, irritability, weakness, and altered mental states. Furthermore, the high sodium load can cause the body to retain excess fluid, exacerbating conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, and kidney disease. Electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia (low potassium levels), are also a serious concern that can lead to heart arrhythmias.

Gastrointestinal Dangers

Mixing large quantities of bicarbonate soda with stomach acid produces a significant amount of carbon dioxide gas. While this may cause temporary relief from indigestion, taking it after a large meal or in excessive quantities can cause severe gastric distension. In rare but extreme cases, this gas buildup can lead to a stomach rupture, a life-threatening medical emergency. Overdoses can also cause severe vomiting and diarrhea as the body attempts to correct the salt balance.

Risks for Vulnerable Individuals

Certain groups of people are particularly susceptible to the dangers of bicarbonate soda ingestion and should avoid it entirely unless directed by a doctor.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Limited research exists on the safety of bicarbonate soda during pregnancy and lactation. High dosages during pregnancy have been linked to cardiomyopathy and other serious adverse events.
Children: Bicarbonate soda is not recommended for children under 6 for indigestion. Overdoses can be toxic and cause serious complications due to their smaller body mass.
Individuals with pre-existing conditions: Those with a history of heart disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure should avoid bicarbonate soda due to its high sodium content.
People on certain medications: Bicarbonate soda can interact with and reduce the effectiveness of many drugs, including certain antibiotics, aspirin, and some antacids.

Potential for Skin and Surface Damage

Beyond internal health concerns, relying on bicarbonate soda for cleaning and skincare can also cause unexpected harm.

Damage to Delicate Surfaces

Despite its reputation as a gentle abrasive, bicarbonate soda can cause irreversible damage to many common household materials.

Glass: Using it on mirrors, windows, or smooth stovetops can leave behind micro-scratches that dull the surface over time.
Natural Stone: Polished marble and granite countertops can be damaged by the abrasive powder, which can wear away the protective sealant.
Wood: It can damage the finish and sealant on wooden furniture and flooring, making them more vulnerable to discoloration and staining.
Aluminum: Prolonged contact can cause aluminum cookware to oxidize and discolor.
Gold-plated items: The abrasive nature can scratch and damage delicate gold plating on jewelry and cutlery.

Harmful Skin Effects

The skin's natural protective barrier, known as the acid mantle, is slightly acidic. Bicarbonate soda is highly alkaline, and applying it directly to the skin or using it in DIY face washes or deodorants can disrupt this balance. This can lead to increased sensitivity, dryness, irritation, and even rashes, especially for individuals with already sensitive skin. This is why many natural deodorants using baking soda can cause underarm irritation.

Bicarbonate Soda vs. Safer Alternatives: A Comparison

To highlight the risks, here is a comparison of bicarbonate soda versus safer, more effective options for common uses.


Application	Bicarbonate Soda Risks	Safer Alternative and Benefits
Heartburn/Indigestion	High sodium load, risk of metabolic alkalosis, potential stomach rupture, drug interactions.	Over-the-counter antacids (e.g., Tums), which are formulated for safety and have a lower overdose risk. For frequent issues, consult a doctor.
Face Wash/Exfoliator	Disrupts skin's protective acid mantle, causing irritation, dryness, and rashes; overly abrasive.	pH-balanced facial cleansers and gentle exfoliating products designed for skin. These protect the skin's barrier.
Body Deodorant	Can cause skin irritation, redness, and burning, particularly on sensitive underarm skin.	Commercial or natural deodorants that do not contain baking soda. Use fragrance-free moisturizing lotion to soothe any existing irritation.
Glass Cleaner	Abrasive texture can cause micro-scratches and dull surfaces over time.	A solution of white vinegar and water, or a dedicated glass cleaning spray, for a streak-free, scratch-free shine.
Countertop Cleaner	Can scratch and dull polished marble, granite, and quartz surfaces by damaging the sealant.	Specialized cleaners formulated for natural stone. Mild dish soap and water are also safe for general cleaning.

Conclusion: Caution and Alternatives are Key

In summary, while bicarbonate soda is a versatile ingredient for cooking and can be safely used in small, controlled applications like baking, its use as a self-prescribed health remedy or an all-purpose cleaner is fraught with risks. The high sodium content poses dangers to those with pre-existing conditions, while its alkaline and abrasive nature can cause bodily harm and damage to delicate surfaces. Opting for safer, professionally formulated alternatives for health and home care is the most prudent approach. Always consult a healthcare professional before using bicarbonate soda for medicinal purposes, and test it cautiously on an inconspicuous area before applying to a new surface for cleaning. Recognizing its limitations is crucial for protecting your health and home.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should not use bicarbonate soda for heartburn for more than two weeks, or as a daily, long-term solution. Overuse risks serious side effects, and persistent heartburn warrants medical evaluation for an underlying condition.

Bicarbonate soda is highly alkaline, disrupting the skin's naturally acidic protective barrier. This can strip the skin of its natural moisture, leading to irritation, redness, and increased vulnerability to infections and breakouts.

You should not clean surfaces like glass, polished marble, granite, wood furniture or floors, aluminum cookware, and gold-plated items with bicarbonate soda. Its abrasive nature can cause scratches, discoloration, and damage to sealants.

While small, occasional doses for temporary indigestion relief may be used by some adults, drinking bicarbonate soda water can be dangerous, especially in excess or for prolonged periods. It is particularly unsafe for children, pregnant women, and people with kidney or heart disease.

Signs of an overdose can include severe vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, headaches, muscle spasms, convulsions, and disturbed mental states. Immediate medical attention is necessary for these symptoms.

Yes, bicarbonate soda can interfere with the absorption and excretion of numerous medications, potentially reducing their effectiveness or increasing side effects. Common examples include aspirin and certain antibiotics.

Children should not be given bicarbonate soda as a remedy because they cannot accurately describe their symptoms and their smaller body mass makes them more susceptible to overdose and serious toxicity.