Also known as Washing Soda or Sal Soda .
This is a mild alkali. It is gentle enough to be used in cakes as a leavening agent and safe enough to use as toothpaste. Its pH level is typically around 8 or 9.
Also known as washing soda, these are much more alkaline, with a pH of around 11. This makes them more caustic and powerful at cutting through heavy organic matter, but also means they require more careful handling. When to Reach for Baking Soda
The box is heavy, and the crystals look like coarse, translucent snow. There is no scent. My initial thought was, "This looks like something that would melt my skin." (It won't, but wear gloves.)