Baking soda is bicarbonate of soda and is also called Sodium Bicarbonate. As the name suggests the most common practical use for baking soda is as a leavening agent in baking. Every one knows what the benefits of baking soda are. This article gives about 50 of them.

1. Baking soda is an excellent home remedy for constipation: Put 1 teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water, stir it up and drink up be prepared to do a loud burp and you’ll find that any stomach ache you had will be resolved within 15 minutes and your constipation will itself resolve within a few hours.
2. Recent studies show that baking soda is a good treatment for cancer. The specialized treatment called ‘Dr. Simoncini Baking Soda Treatment for Cancer’ advocates oral administration of Baking soda as a treatment for cancer. It is just taking one to two teaspoon of Baking Soda everyday for two to three weeks. For skin and external cancers this treatment does not hold good. Intake of the Baking soda should be guided by a registered medical practitioner.
3. Baking soda can be used as an underarm deodorant.
4. Bug bites: use a poultice of baking soda and vinegar.
5. Baking soda will also put out fires in clothing, fuel, wood, upholstery and rugs.
6. Oil and grease stained clothing washes out better with baking soda added to the washing water.
7. Clean your fridge and freezer with dry baking soda sprinkled on a damp cloth. Rinse with clear water.
8. Clean vegetables and fruit with baking soda. Sprinkle in water, soak and rinse the produce.
9. Wash marble-topped furniture with a solution of 3-tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Let stand awhile, then rinse.
10. Wash garbage cans with baking soda.
11. Soda absorbs kitty litter odors. Cover the bottom of the kitty box with 1 part baking soda; then add a layer of three parts kitty litter on top.
12. Soak and wash diapers with baking soda.
13. Deodorize your fridge and freezer by putting in an open container of baking soda to absorb odors. Stir and turn over the baking soda from time to time. Replace every 2 months.
14. Always add 1/2-cup baking soda to your washing machine load.
15. To remove stubborn stains from marble, formica or plastic surfaces, scour with a paste of baking soda and water.
16. Clean combs and brushes in a baking soda solution.
17. Wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers with baking soda and water to get rid of stale smells.
18. Wash food and drink containers with baking soda and water.
19. Wash glass or stainless steel coffee pots (but not aluminum) in a baking soda solution (3-tablespoons soda to 1 quart water).
20. Clean formica counter tops with baking soda on a damp sponge.
21. Rub stainless steel and chrome with a moist cloth and dry baking soda to shine it up. Rinse and dry. On stainless steel, scrub in the direction of the grain.
22. Give baby bottles a good cleaning with baking soda and hot water.
23. Run your coffee maker through its cycle with a baking soda solution. Rinse.
24. Sprinkle baking soda on barbecue grills, let soak, then rinse off.
25. To remove strong odors from your hands, wet your hands and rub them hard with baking soda, then rinse.
26. Polish silverware with dry baking soda on a damp cloth. Rub, rinse and dry.
27. Sprinkle baking soda on greasy garage floor. Let stand, scrub and rinse.
28. Reduce odor build-up in your dishwasher by sprinkling some baking soda on the bottom.
29. For silver pieces without raised patterns or cemented-on handles: place the silver on aluminum foil in an enamel pot. Add boiling water and 4 tablespoons baking soda. Let stand, rinse and dry.
30. Used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also relieve canker sore pain.
31. For a badly-burned pan with a thick layer of burned-on food: pour a thick layer of baking soda directly onto the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water so as to moisten the baking soda. Leave the pot overnight, then scrub it clean next day.
32. Run your dishwasher through its cycle with baking soda in it instead of soap to give it a good cleaning.
33. To remove burned-on food from a pan: let the pan soak in baking soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.
34. Clean plastic, porcelain and glass with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rinse and dry.
35. Clean your bathroom with dry baking soda on a moist sponge — sink, tub, tiles, shower stall, etc.
36. Soak your shower curtains in water and baking soda to clean them.
37. Remove that bad smell from ashtrays with baking soda and water.
38. Sprinkle a bit of dry baking soda in your ashtrays to prevent smoldering and reduce odor.
39. Sprinkle baking soda on your wet toothbrush and brush your teeth and dentures with it.
40. Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by putting 4 tablespoons of soda in them each week. Flush the soda down with hot water.
41. Apply baking soda directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy to relieve discomfort. Make a paste with water.
42. Sprinkle baking soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots and slippers to eliminate odor.
43. Add 1/2-cup or more of baking soda to your bath water to soften your skin.
44. Putting 2-tablespoons of baking soda in your baby’s bath water will help relieve diaper rash irritations.
45. Take a baking soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such as measles and chicken pox.
46. To relieve sunburn: use a paste of baking soda and water.
47. Take 1/2-teaspoon of baking soda in one-half glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.
48. Gargle with 1/2-teaspoon baking soda in one-half glass of water. Freshens and cleans your mouth.
49. Bee sting: use a poultice of baking soda and water.
50. Windburns: moisten some baking soda and apply directly.