Not only is Bicarbonate of Soda/ Baking Soda good for wonderful for cooking and cleaning. It is inexpensive and has many uses around the home and is 100% natural.
For cleaning alone you save on using expensive chemicals. No more expensive smelly chemicals that harm our environment.
Bicarbonate of Soda is a very multi facet product and throughout history and in ancient time it recognised by bakers to make breads trapping carbon dioxide in the ingredients of the bread enabling it to rise. Please check other pages, Too paste, General hints, Food and Kitchen Hints for more outstanding hints using this wonderful product-

Baking soda has gone on to do marvelous wonders and is now being used in the manufacturing of glass, paper, soaps, and in detergents and toothpaste.
Baking soda is a naturally substance that is made from sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate.  
Add ½ cups or more of Bicarbonate of Soda to your bath water to soften your skin.
Add one teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda to one-half glass warm water, and swish through teeth for a refreshing mouthwash.
Add one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda with the usual amount of detergent in your regular wash cycle.
Add three tablespoons Bicarbonate of Soda to a basin of warm water and soak feet in the solution.
Add to water to remove the "gamey" taste from wild game.
Add to water to soak dried beans to make them more digestible.
Add two full tablespoons Bicarbonate of Soda to the usual amount of detergent you use.
Aid in treatment of warts and moles.
Allergic reactions to creams or medication by rubbing Bicarbonate of Soda on the area.
Always add ½ cup Bicarbonate of Soda to your washing machine load.
Apply Bicarbonate of Soda directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy to relieve discomfort. Make a paste with water.
Assists relief from heat rashes.
Baking/Bi-Carb Soda mixed with a little essence oil. You sprinkle the mixture on the carpet, wait a bit and then do your vacuuming. (1 cup b.s + 8 - 10 drops essential oil.)
Bicarbonate of Soda comes in really handy for softening hardened paint brushes. It saves buying new brushes every time. Soak brushes overnight in a litre of hot water, a cup of Bicarbonate of Soda and a quarter cup of Vinegar.
Bicarbonate of Soda will also put out fires in clothing, fuel, wood, upholstery and rugs.  
Bicarbonate of Soda sprinkled into your clothes dryer will keep clothes fresh smelling.
Bicarbonate of Soda, sprinkled into your rubber gloves will make then easier to put on.
Be sure to keep an extra box of Bicarbonate of Soda by your stove in case of grease or electrical fire. Scatter the powder by the handful to safely put it out.
Bee sting: use a poultice of Bicarbonate of Soda and water.
Boost the strength of liquid laundry detergent.
Brush your teeth and whitens them also.
Clean a fibre glass bath tub or shower.
Clean all those dead bugs off your windshield by sprinkling Baking soda onto a damp cloth and wipe down the glass. The abrasive Bicarbonate of Soda. whisks away insects easily without damaging your windshield..
Clean oven racks by placing a towel in bath tub fill with very hot water 1 cup washing powder, 1 cup Bi-Carb Soda and place oven racks to soak overnight, next day rinse clean and wipe and dry.
Clean a microwave oven.
Cleans a refrigerator.
Clean a stainless steel sink.
Clean and deodorise a cutting board.
Clean baby bottles, nipples, and bottle brushes.
Clean bathroom tiles.
Clean counter-bench tops by making a paste of Bicarbonate of Soda and Detergent..
Clean chrome bumpers and hubcaps.
Clean coffee and teapots.
Clean combs and brushes by boiling water in a saucepan, adding a cup of Bicarbonate of Soda and boil for 10 minutes, Rinse clean with cold water
Clean combs and brushes in a Bicarbonate of Soda.
Clean dirt and grime from hands.
Clean dirt, grime, and scuffmarks from doors, stoves, laminated tabletops, linoleum floors, and tile. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, wipe clean, and dry.
Clean Formica counter tops with Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge.
Clean high chairs, car seats, strollers, and plastic mattress protectors.
Clean kitchen food processors from stains and grease etc but putting Bicarbonate of Soda in and whiz around a little.
Clean plastic, porcelain and glass with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rinse and dry.
Clean vegetables and fruit with Bicarbonate of Soda. Sprinkle in water, soak and rinse the produce.
Clean your bathroom with dry Bicarbonate of Soda on a moist sponge - sink, tub, tiles, shower stall, etc.
Clean your fridge and freezer with dry Bicarbonate of Soda sprinkled on a damp cloth. Rinse with clear water.
Clean your silver with paste of Bicarbonate of Soda.
Clears up stuffy noses and itchy eyes. Use to inhale in vaporiser.
Coffee stains in cup and glasses with stubborn stains can disappear with paste of Bicarbonate of Soda and water.
Cover the bottom of the litter box with one-quarter inch Bicarbonate of Soda then add the litter.
Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in Bicarbonate of Soda.
Dampen area, sprinkle with Bicarbonate of Soda let soak overnight, then scrub with a sponge, rinse, and dry.
De-grease and clean barbecue grills.
Deodorise your fridge and freezer by putting in an open container of Bicarbonate of Soda to absorb odours. Stir and turn over the Bicarbonate of Soda from time to time. Replace every 2 months.
Deodorise your microwave from unpleasant odours with dish of Bicarbonate of Soda.
Deodorise your cupboards.
Deodorise a dishwasher.
Deodorise carpets.
Deodorise carpeting in a car.
Deodorise cloth diapers.
Deodorise food containers.
Deodorise garment storage bags.
Deodorise kitchen garbage container.
Deodorises shoes or sports shoes
Dip a damp cloth in Bicarbonate of Soda gently rub the china, and rinse clean.
Dissolve one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda in a tepid bath. Soak in the bath for fifteen minutes.
Dissolve one-half cup in Bicarbonate of Soda a tub of warm water for soft, smooth-feeling skin and a relaxing bath.
Dust Bicarbonate of Soda under arms.
Flush one cup Bicarbonate of Soda down the toilet once a week. Bicarbonate of Soda helps maintain proper pH and alkalinity, controlling sulphide odours.
For a badly-burned pan with a thick layer of burned-on food: pour a thick layer of Bicarbonate of Soda directly onto the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water so as to moisten the soda. Leave the pot overnight, and then scrub it clean next day.
For locks of hair that look great, remember to shake it. Sprinkle a small amount (quarter-size) of baking soda into Your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly. Bicarbonate of Soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more.
For silver pieces without raised patterns or cemented-on handles: place the silver on aluminium foil in an enamel pot. Add boiling water and 4 tbsp. Bicarbonate of Soda. Let stand, rinse and dry.
Freshen up waxing oily hair by mixing 1 teaspoon of Bicarbonate of Soda to your shampoo, wash your hair. A great way to restore your hair balance.
Freshen up your carpets with baking soda sprinkled over it and vacuum.
Freshen up your dish cloths with Bicarbonate of Soda.
Gargle with 1/2 tsp. Bicarbonate of Soda in 1/2 glass of water. Freshens and cleans your mouth.
Get temporary relief for bladder infection till you can seek medical attention.
Give baby bottles a good cleaning with soda and hot water.
Going on a picnic, the add a pinch of Bicarbonate of Soda to your milk and it will stay fresh longer.
If your baby spits up on his clothes after feeding, moisten a cloth, dip it in Bicarbonate of Soda and dab at the stain. The odour will go away.
In the evening, sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda inside shoes to eliminate odours. Shake out in the morning.
It's great in the 'fridge to absorb odours, but another suggestion is to keep a box on the back of the toilet, for the same reason. Maybe keep one near the kitty litter box, too.
Keep a container of Bicarbonate of Soda in your garage as well as in your car to put out a fire. It won’t damage anything it touches.
Keep a packet of Bicarbonate of Soda in your car, garage and kitchen to prevent electrical or grease fires.
Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by putting 4 tablespoons of baking soda in them each week. Flush the baking soda down with hot water.
Maintain your septic tank.
Make a paste by mixing equal parts Bicarbonate of Soda and water, apply with a wire brush, wipe clean, and dry with a cloth.
Make a paste of Bicarbonate of Soda and water, and apply to the affected area.
Makes sore throat feel better.
Making Play Clay with baking soda: combine 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups Bicarbonate of Soda, 1 cup cornstarch.
Minimise the smell of dirty laundry.
Mix a thick paste of Bicarbonate of Soda with water; apply the silver with a damp sponge, rub, rinse, and buff dry.
Mix one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda in two quarts of water, and soak diapers in the solution.
Mix one-quarter cup Bicarbonate of Soda with one quart water, swish food containers in solution, soak overnight, and then rinse clean.
Mosquito bites & bee stings, ticks & blisters: use a poultice of Bicarbonate of Soda and Vinegar.
Neutralise battery acid from car and cleans the mess up.
Neutralise vomit odour.
A non-toxic toilet bowl cleanser and baking soda would be great for that.
Oil and grease - stained clothing washes out better with soda added to the washing water.
Powdery Mildew can be eliminated : To one bucket of water add 7 teaspoons (20 grams) of Bicarbonate of Soda and sufficient laundry soap to make a rich lather. Stir the mixture to dissolve the Bicarbonate of Soda powder. Spray both sides of the affected leaves. And Black Spot can be eliminated : To 10 litres (USA=21pints, UK=17½ pints) of water add 1 tablespoon (USA/UK=3 teaspoons) of bicarbonate of soda, 1 tablespoon of soap detergent and 2 tablespoons of white oil. Stir the liquid to completely dissolve the bicarbonate powder. Before applying the mixture first water the rose's foliage to remove any dust and allow the leaves to dry. NEVER spray in full sunshine or in the heat of the day as the leaves may burn, instead wait until early evening.
Place an open box of Bicarbonate of Soda on a shelf.
Plain Baking Soda is a gentle abrasive that cleans like the strongest toothpaste. Apply Bicarbonate of Soda to a damp toothbrush, brush as usual, and rinse.
Polish silverware with dry Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp cloth. Rub, rinse and dry.
Poured down the kitchen sink regularly will keep it smelling sweet.
Putting 2 tbsp. of Bicarbonate of Soda in your baby's bath water will help relieve diaper rash irritations.
Reduce odour build-up in your dishwasher by sprinkling some Bicarbonate of Soda on the bottom.
Relief from Acne, rub a little paste of Bicarbonate of Soda and water.
Relief from cold sores. Rub a little paste of Bicarbonate of Soda and water on it.
Relief from heat rash. Use paste of water and Bicarbonate of Soda.
Relief temperature of feverish children with cool bath with Bicarbonate of Soda.
Relieves razor burn.
Relieves vaginal itch.
Relieves, sunburn, mouth ulcers, sore gums, skin ulcers. Removes bad breath.
Relieving heartburn. One teaspoon in a glass of water.
Remove burnt-on food from cookware.
Remove coffee or tea stains from china.
Remove conditioner and styling gel build-up from hair.
Remove crayon marks from walls or wallpaper.
Remove dead insects from a car or truck windshield.
Remove tarnish from silver.
Remove that bad smell from ashtrays with soda and water.
Removes smelly hands.
Repel rain from windshield. Put blobs of baking Bicarbonate of Soda on a dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out.
Replaces salt loss when you have diarrhoea.
Rub Baking Soda on your cutting board to rid of the odours from garlic, onions etc.
Rub stainless steel and chrome with a moist cloth and dry Bicarbonate of Soda to shine it up. Rinse and dry. On stainless steel, scrub in the direction of the grain.
Run you coffee maker through its cycle with a Bicarbonate of Soda solution. Rinse clean.
Run your dishwasher through its cycle with Bicarbonate of Soda in it instead of soap to give it a good cleaning.
Soak heavily soiled laundry in Bicarbonate of Soda.
Soak in a solution of warm water and Bicarbonate of Soda , then sterilise before use.
Soak your shower curtains in water and Bicarbonate of Soda to clean them.
Bicarbonate of Soda absorbs kitty litter odours. Cover the bottom of the kitty box with 1 part Bicarbonate of Soda; then add a layer of 3 parts kitty litter on top.
Soothe poison ivy rash or insect bites.
Soothe sunburn, windburn, and prickly heat.
Soothe tired feet.
Sprinkle a bit of dry Bicarbonate of Soda in your ashtrays to prevent smouldering and it keeps them smelling nicer
Sprinkle a handful of Bicarbonate of Soda in the garbage pail each time you add garbage.
sprinkle over greasy garage floors etc and wash and rinse clean with hot water
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda in your rubber gloves, so they can be removed easier and also easier to put on next time.
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on your wet toothbrush and brush your teeth or dentures with it.
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda generously to cover the stained area, let sit for an hour, then vacuum up.
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda into the bottom of the bag.
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda lightly over the dry carpet, let sit for fifteen minutes, then vacuum up.
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, clean glass, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, rub the cutting board, and rinse clean.
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub gently to avoid mussing the paint or wallpaper, then wipe clean.
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub the sink, and rinse clean.
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the carpet, let sit for fifteen minutes, then vacuum up.
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the stuffed animal, let sit for fifteen minutes, then brush off.
Sprinkle on Bicarbonate of Soda to wet hands with liquid soap, rub vigorously, rinse, and dry.
Sprinkle one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda on the bottom of the dishwasher between loads.
Sprinkle soda in tennis shoes, sports shoes, socks, boots and slippers to eliminate odour.
Sprinkle soda on barbecue grills, let soak, and then rinse off.
Sprinkle soda on greasy garage floor. Let stand, scrub and rinse.
Sprinkle some Bicarbonate of Soda into your hamper or laundry bag.
Stop your steel wool pads from rusting after use place in jar of water with Bicarbonate of Soda in.
Take ½teaspoon of Bicarbonate of Soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.
Take a Bicarbonate of Soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such as measles and chicken pox.
Take a refreshing bath.
Test to see if Baking Soda is effective add a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a pinch of baking soda. If it bubbles, the baking soda is still effective.
Take a soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such as measles and chicken pox.
To clean silver without a lot of elbow-grease, line a Heatproof glass container with aluminum foil, shiny side Up, add one heaping tablespoon of baking soda, and pour In enough boiling water to cover the item(s). The tarnish Will collect on the foil. Remove the piece, rinse it Thoroughly, and polish it with a soft cloth. .. . .
To make your own baking powder, stir and sift together 2 parts of Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1 part corn starch.
To relieve sunburn: use a paste of Bicarbonate of Soda and water.  
To remove burned-on food from a pan: let the pan soak in Bicarbonate of Soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry Bicarbonate of Soda and a moist scouring pad.  
To remove strong odours from your hands, wet your hands and rub them hard with baking soda, then rinse.
To remove stubborn stains from marble, Formica or plastic surfaces, scour with a paste of Bicarbonate of Soda and water.  
To remover vomit odours from any area, sprinkle baking over the area soiled.
Treat athlete’s foot.
Use as a deodorant.
Use baking soda as an underarm deodorant.
Use dry with a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.
Use to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from toaster. Dampen cloth and make a mild abrasive with Bicarbonate of Soda.
Use to sweeten sour dishcloths.
Used as a mouthwash, Bicarbonate of Soda will also relieve canker sore pain.
Wash food and drink containers with Bicarbonate of Soda and water.
Wash garbage cans with Bicarbonate of Soda.  
Wash glass or stainless steel coffee pots (but not aluminum) in a soda solution ( 3 tbsp. Bicarbonate of Soda to 1 quart water).
Wash glass or stainless steel, chrome, glasses and coffee pots (but not aluminums) in a Bicarbonate of Soda solution.
Wash hair once a week with a tablespoon of Bicarbonate of Soda mixed with your regular shampoo; rinse thoroughly, then condition and style as usual.
Wash in a solution of one-quarter cup and one-quart warm water, then rinse clean.
Wash marble-topped furniture with a solution of 3 tablespoons of Bicarbonate of Soda in 1 quart of warm water. Let stand awhile, then rinse.
Wash out thermos bottles and coolers with baking soda and water to get rid of stale smells.
Wash your mouth and cleanses it.
Water stains on wooden floors can be  removed with a sponge dampened in  a solution of Bicarbonate of Soda dissolved in water.
When scalding a chicken, add 1 tsp. of soda to the boiling water. The feathers will come off easier and flesh will be clean and white.
Whiten socks and dirty clothes. Soak your socks in a bucket of hot water with ½ cup detergent and 1 cup of Bicarbonate of Soda and soak for 1 hour.
Windburn: moisten some Bicarbonate of Soda and apply directly.