Sodium bicarbonate is the chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3. Because it has long been known and is widely used, the salt has many other names including sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium bicarb, baking soda, bread soda, cooking soda, bicarb soda, saleratus or bicarbonate of soda.

It is soluble in water. This white solid is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder. It has a slight alkaline taste resembling that of sodium carbonate. It is a component of the mineral natron and is found dissolved in many mineral springs. It is also produced artificially.

Baking soda has many uses.

As a deodorizer

• An absorbent for moisture and odors; an open box can be left in a refrigerator for this purpose. However, according to one source, baking soda does not actually absorb odors well when used in a refrigerator.
• Can be used to clean vacuum flasks, especially after they've developed an odor from not being used for a long time whilst being stored with the cap on.
• As a substitute for talcum powder to prevent foot odor.
• To clean a microwave oven from lingering odors.
• Rubbed into one's hands to remove odors from food preparation.

As pest control

• It kills fleas and drives away ants. If it is applied to a pet's fur, it must be washed/rinsed off to prevent skin problems.
• Can be used to kill crab grass. Must be used repeatedly to control but is effective. Dampen area then sprinkle lightly, too much may harm desired grass temporarily.
• The bottom part of a door frame can be lined with sodium bicarbonate to keep out ants.

Medical uses

• If made into a paste salve with vinegar, it relieves burning from bug stings (particularly bee stings), poison ivy, nettles, and sunburn.
• It is used as an antacid to treat acid indigestion and heartburn.
• Mixed with water in a 10% solution can soften earwax for removal.
• In paramedicine, sodium bicarbonate 8.4% is administered intravenously for cases of acidosis and overdoses of acidic toxic substances, such as tricyclic antidepressants and aspirin.
• Adverse reactions to emergency administration include congestive heart failure, with edema secondary to sodium overload, and the metabolic complication of hyperosmolarity, metabolic acidosis, and hypernatremia.

Cosmetic uses

• It is marketed as a whitener in some toothpaste brands.
• Add to hair if it's dirty and there's no time to wash it. Dry with warm air.

As a cleaning agent

• A paste from baking soda can be very effective when used in cleaning and scrubbing.
• A solution in warm water will remove the tarnish from silver when the silver is in contact with a piece of aluminum foil
• With water, it cleans the impurities on contact lenses. Rinse completely before wearing contacts to avoid stinging of the salt in baking soda.
• Cleans brushes and combs to prevent residues.
• Mix into a paste to clean the surface of an iron.
• Use to clean juice, wine, and coffee stains.
• Washing a car with it can remove dead bug bodies without damaging the paint.
• Pour 1 cup of baking soda down a drain and follow with 1/2 gallon of White Vinegar will degrease the drain.

Other uses

• Baking soda and boiling water unclogs drains.
• It is used as a fabric softener in laundry.
• It is used to test garden soil for acidity. If it bubbles, the soil is too acidic.
• Sodium bicarbonate has been used as a performance enhancer for sprinters, by countering build up of lactate through induced metabolic alkalosis.
• If mixed with super glue, it makes a suitable filling for cracks in walls.
• Sprinkle on wet pages of books and then put them out to dry under the sun.
• It is used in the Aquarium hobby to raise the pH of the water and in the production of CO2 in yeast mixes.
• Sodium bicarbonate is used in BC Dry Chemical fire extinguishers as an alternative to the corrosive ammonium phosphate in ABC extinguishers. The alkali nature of Sodium Bicarbonate makes it the only dry powder (not including Purple-K) agent allowed for use on commercial deep fat fryers, the agent forms a crust over the surface similar to the effects of Wet Chemical.