Does Baking Soda Kill Bacteria?

In our forum, Karin asked a question about baking soda! She would like to know, does baking soda kill bacteria?

We went looking for an answer to Karin and also who was looking for these questions. Because although I don’t have all the answers, I am very good at looking for answers. 

And I also brought in a few experts in this area this time!

Baking soda: Cleaning vs killing bacteria

But let’s first try to get a clear idea of ​​what we’re talking about here!

You can clean very well with baking soda. But cleaning is different from disinfecting, sterilizing, and killing bacteria. For example, if I wash my counter with green soap, I will remove visible dirt. 

But all kinds of bacteria will remain. My counter is not ‘sterile’ after that. In other words, you wouldn’t be able to perform surgery on it. The chance of infection is too high,

But that doesn’t matter!

Because in everyday life it is not necessary to kill away all the bacteria’s as some of them are very good for health.

Does Baking Soda Kill Bacteria?

The RIVM website they explain the differences:

Cleaning

Cleaning, also known as cleaning, is the removal of visible dirt and transparent organic material to prevent microorganisms from maintaining, multiplying and spreading. For example, wipe your countertop thoroughly with a microfibre cloth.

Sterilizing

Sterilization is a process that kills or inactivates all microorganisms on or in an object. Such that the chance of the presence of living organisms per sterilized unit is less than one in a million. Professionals must do this, according to RIVM.

Disinfection

Disinfection is the thermal or chemical killing or inactivation of microorganisms whereby the number of microorganisms is reduced to an acceptable level.

• I think Karin’s question is about disinfection.

Does baking soda kill bacteria on the skin?

According to various experts, baking soda indeed has bactericidal properties, but it does not kill all bacteria. For example, Healthcare says that baking soda does not help to prevent infection with a bite wound. They tell you might as well rinse with plain water.

“Although baking soda is often used as a household cleaner, it is ineffective against most bacteria, including salmonella, E. coli. And staphylococcus. If you suspect there has been a contamination of any of these bacteria, ditch the baking soda in favor of a product registered as a disinfectant by the EPA.”

They also write on the Water Council & Health Counsel site that pure baking soda is ‘ineffective’ as a disinfectant.

At the same time, an American study springer found that baking soda helped with fungal infections of the skin and nails. There is also some evidence that baking soda can help improve inflamed gums.

What do the experts say?

We research and interview several experts for an answer to the question: “Does baking soda kill bacteria?” Below the answers;

The chemistry department of the University of Groningen about baking soda

“If you want to work with bacteria, I wouldn’t use sodium bicarbonate. What I have found online is that it does kill some fungi and bacteria but not all. If you want to disinfect your countertop at home, I would use (> 70%) alcohol for this. To keep your actions clean, it is wise to work near a burning flame (within 30cm), but you may not have that at your disposal. “

Nemo knowledge link about baking soda

“It is possible – especially useful for disinfecting hands, wounds, etc. – but it is actually not nearly as effective as a nice hot soapy water of 60 degrees or more.”

The conclusion about baking soda and bacteria!

So, Baking Soda does NOT kill all bacteria.

You may also like this: 16 benefits of Baking Soda

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