Alkalis are caustic chemicals that are the chemical opposite of acids on the pH scale.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is chemically the mildest of all alkalis. It's a mild abrasive, an effective cleaning tool, and even it's suitable for human consumption as an antacid.

Borax (pyroborate or tetraborate of sodium) is a moderately toxic alkali, which you can use as a replacement for chlorine bleach.

2torial #0858: Learn2 Cut Down on Toxic Household Cleaners (continued) Understand toxic label language Hazardous products contain warning symbols that you should learn to recognize at a glance. It's important that you (and your entire family) know the difference between Poison, Danger, Warning and Caution. Poison: highly toxic or poisonous (symbol in a stop sign) Danger: extremely flammable, corrosive, or highly toxic (symbol in a diamond) Warning or Caution: moderately or slightly toxic (symbol in an inverted triangle)   Signal words Apart from the four hazard symbols, products are labeled with signal words, which reflect a specific standard of toxicity. Corrosive: dissolves or eats away at materials and living tissue upon contact. Corrosive materials are effective cleaners, but they can cause severe eye and skin damage. Any acid or alkaline product is corrosive and is also poisonous if ingested. (Examples: oven cleaner, chlorine bleach, drain cleaner, battery acid) . Flammable: ignites and burns easily. While this is not technically an indication of toxicity, most are indeed toxic. (Examples: lighter fluid, turpentine, oil, gasoline, hair spray). Reactive: either explosive (e.g., any aerosol spray can under extreme pressure or near heat) or any substance which can produce deadly vapors (e.g., chlorine bleach mixed with ammonia). Toxic: capable of causing death or injury when it enters the body through ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption. (Examples: rat poison, bleach, furniture polish).   Step 2