Bicarbonate of soda, also known as baking soda or sodium bicarbonate, has a variety of uses in cooking, cleaning, and personal care. Here are some of the most common uses of bicarbonate of soda:

Cooking:

• As a leavening agent: Bicarbonate of soda is commonly used in recipes that mix moisture plus an acidic ingredient (such as lemon juice, chocolate, buttermilk, or honey) together to make batter rise.
• As a substitute for baking powder: Bicarbonate of soda can be used as a substitute for baking powder, but it has 3 to 4 times more power than baking powder, so the amount of acidic ingredients in the recipe needs to be increased to offset bicarb’s power.
• To tenderize meat: Bicarbonate of soda can be used to tenderize tough cuts of meat by adding a small amount to a marinade.

Cleaning:

• As a mild abrasive: Bicarbonate of soda can be used as a mild abrasive to clean surfaces such as sinks, countertops, and ovens.
• To remove stains: Bicarbonate of soda can be used to remove stains from clothing, carpets, and upholstery.
• To deodorize: Bicarbonate of soda can be used to absorb odors in refrigerators, trash cans, and shoes.

Personal care:

• As a mouthwash: Bicarbonate of soda can be used as a mouthwash to freshen breath and help prevent gum disease.
• To relieve heartburn: Bicarbonate of soda can be used as an antacid to neutralize stomach acid and relieve heartburn.
• To soothe skin: Bicarbonate of soda can be added to bathwater to soothe itchy or irritated skin.

Overall, bicarbonate of soda is a versatile and useful household item with many different applications.