What is Baking Soda?

It's sodium bicarbonate, and it comes from a mineral called natron.

Scientists consider baking soda a type of salt. It's most widely known function is for baking, because it reacts with other chemicals to releases carbon dioxide, which makes dough rise.

Baking soda has more uses than you might realize. It can serve as an antacid, or to treat industrial acid spills, and it's used in dry- powder fire extinguishers. It is also an ingredient in paper and ceramics.

And though many modern homemakers might have lost touch with the old ways, a paste of baking soda and water is said to be a very effective cleaning agent.