Uses of Alkalis (Bases)

• To treat soil: Plants grow well in neutral soil. Neither too acidic nor too basic soil is good for plan growth. If the soil is too acidic, lime fertilisers such as powdered lime, CaO, limestone, CaCO₃ or ashes of burnt wood are added to the soil to neutralise it acidity. Similarly, basic soil can be treated by using a compost of rotting vegetables or leaves. This is because the rotting vegetables and leaves decompose to liberate carbon dioxide gas. The acidic gas from the decomposition of compost neutralises the alkalis in basic soils.
• To treat acidic effluents: Effluents from the electroplating industry contain acids such as sulphuric acid. It is treated by adding lime to neutralise it before it is discharged into rivers and streams.
• To prevent coagulation of latex: In the rubber industry, ammonia solution, NH₄OH, is used to prevent the coagulation of latex because ammonia solution, NH₄OH, can neutralise the acid (lactic acid) produced by bacteria in the latex.
• To treat gastric patients: Antacids are the medicines used to treat gastric problems. They contain bases such as aluminium hydroxide, Al(OH)₃ and magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)₂ which neutralise the excess acid in the stomach.
• To treat wasp stings: Wasp stings are alkaline in nature. Vinegar is used to cure wasp stings because vinegar can neutralise the stings.
• To treat ant and bee stings: Bee stings and ant bites are acidic in nature. Their stings contain formic acid. They can be neutralised using alkaline medicine such as baking powder.
• To prevent tooth decay: Decaying food particles in our teeth produces acid and cause tooth decay. Toothpaste helps to neutralise the acid and preventing tooth decay since toothpaste is an alkaline in nature.
• Shampoos are mild alkaline which causes small scales on each hair which make you hair unmanageable. To solve the problem you used hair conditioner. Hair conditioners are mild acidic. When used, the acidity in the hair conditioner will neutralise the alkali and cause the scales to close up.