However, baking soda is both safe and natural. It is incredibly safe for humans and pools, which is why so many people use it to alter their pH and alkalinity levels. If you add too little, it will simply not work and your levels will remain too low. If you add too much, then you can cause problems for your pool in the long run. Baking soda is a great product to have around the house for cleaning purposes or as a natural remedy for things such as acne. Adding it to your pool does not hurt but may not do anything for your pool either. It is up to you how much of this additive you want to use in your pool. There are fewer risks associated with too much baking soda than there are with using chemicals that harm fish and other organisms in the water column. However, if you do choose to use baking soda, use less than what is recommended for best results. Swimming in a pool filled with baking soda is very similar to swimming in any other pool. You should not eat or drink while in the pool because the carbonation from the baking soda could cause some serious stomach issues. Also, be careful not to swallow the baking soda because it could cause irritations in your digestive system down the road. If you are thinking about adding baking soda to your pool, first try testing a few drops in the water.