Sodium hydrogen carbonate is often used to clean up large spills of acids and alkalines - HSC - SSCE Chemistry - Question 9 - 2018 - Paper 1

Sodium hydrogen carbonate, known as baking soda, is considered suitable for cleaning up spills of acids and alkalis due to its amphiprotic nature. This means it can act as both an acid and a base. Thus, it effectively neutralizes both acidic and alkaline substances, minimizing harmful effects.

Additionally, the chemical's stability allows it to be safely handled during the cleanup process. Importantly, only small quantities are typically required for effective neutralization, making it a practical choice for such applications.