Natron, kitchens and the Nile

We use acids and alkalis every day without noticing. Lemon juice and vinegar are weak acids. We use lemon juice in cooking and in drinks, and vinegar in salads and pickles. Soap, soapy water and baking soda are alkaline. We use soapy water for washing dishes and baking soda in baking and for cleaning. Remember two safety rules. First, we never taste or smell a liquid to find out if it is acidic or alkaline. Second, strong cleaning products can hurt skin and eyes, so only a grown-up uses them, and we never mix two cleaning products, because the mixture can be dangerous. A mild alkaline liquid such as soapy water is gentle enough for washing dishes, but a strong one is not safe to touch.