What is baking soda mainly used for?

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, has a variety of uses, but it's primarily known for its role in:

1. Baking:

* Leavening agent: Baking soda reacts with acidic ingredients (like buttermilk, lemon juice, or cocoa powder) to produce carbon dioxide gas, which causes baked goods to rise and become light and fluffy.

* Neutralizing acidity: It can be used to balance the acidity of certain ingredients, resulting in a more pleasant flavor.

2. Cleaning:

* Deodorizer: Its ability to absorb odors makes it effective for removing unpleasant smells from refrigerators, trash cans, and carpets.

* Cleaning agent: Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can be used to clean surfaces like countertops, sinks, and ovens. It can also be used to scrub stains and remove grease.

* Dishwashing: Adding baking soda to dishwashing water can help clean dishes and cut through grease.

3. Personal care:

* Toothpaste ingredient: It's used as a mild abrasive in some toothpastes to help remove plaque and whiten teeth.

* Deodorant: Its odor-absorbing properties make it a natural alternative to commercial deodorants.

* Foot soak: Baking soda can be added to a foot bath to soothe tired and sore feet.

4. Other uses:

* Gardening: Baking soda can be used to help control pests and diseases in gardens.

* Fire extinguisher: Baking soda can be used to extinguish small grease fires.

* Antacid: Baking soda can help neutralize stomach acid and relieve heartburn.

It's important to note that baking soda is not the same as baking powder. Baking powder contains baking soda, but also an acidic ingredient and a drying agent. Baking powder is already activated and doesn't require an additional acidic ingredient to work.