Baking
soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a leavening agent. It is used to
produce a gas that makes baked goods raise. Combined with an acid
like vinegar or lemon juice, baking soda will produce CO2 bubbles.
Recipes using baking soda always uses an acid (liquids like vinegar,
milk, molasses, honey; or dry like cream of tartar.)
Baking soda releases this gas all at once so you do not
want to let a batter sit around too long or beat it too much. If you
do, the leavening action will be lost and your baked goods will fail to
raise.
Baking soda has other uses as well. Here a just a
few of the more unusual uses:
1. To put out grease fires, sprinkle by handfuls.
2. Clean vegetables and fruit by sprinkling a little baking soda in
the water, soak and then rinse.
3. Clean combs and brushes with baking soda solution.
4. Use baking soda instead of cleansing powder to wash and freshen
your counter tops.
5. Sprinkle baking soda on barbeque grills and let soak; then rinse
off.
6. For bug bites, mix baking soda and vinegar to a paste and coat.
7. Add a teaspoon to water in which beans are soaking to make them more
digestible.
8. For sunburn or bee stings, baking soda and water pastes eases
pain.
9. Sprinkle baking soda in your tennis shoes, socks, boots or slippers
will help eliminate odor.
10. 2 Tablespoons in baby's bath will help relieve diaper rash
irritation.
