We all may know that baking soda and powder are great substitutes for toothpaste and deodorant but there are an amazing array of uses for these simple powders.

Both are leavening agents that cause batters to rise when baked. But baking soda (also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda) is about four times as strong as baking powder.

It has an indefinite shelf life if stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry place. But it probably won't last very long after you have discovered the wide array of things that baking soda can do.

1. Squeaky clean hair: Add a teaspoon of baking soda to your usual shampoo bottle to help remove build-up from conditioners, mousses, and sprays, and to improve hair's manageability.

2. Combs and brushes: Hair spray and oil build-up on combs and brushes can be removed by soaking them in a sink of warm water and adding three tablespoons of baking soda and three tablespoons bleach.

3. Hands: Remove fish, onion, or garlic odour from hands with a solution of three parts baking soda to one part water or liquid soap. Rub mixture in your hands, and rinse off.

4. Exfoliate: Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water, and use as a gentle, exfoliating facial scrub after washing with soap and water. Rinse your face clean.

5. Mix baking soda with oatmeal in your blender; it makes a great facial scrub.

6. Clean vegetables and fruit with baking soda. Sprinkle in water, soak and rinse the produce.

7. To deodorise, wash garbage cans with baking soda and water. Clean your fridge and freezer with dry baking soda by sprinkling on a damp cloth, rinse with clear water.

8. Deodorise your fridge and freezer by putting an open container of baking soda in it to absorb odours. Stir and turn over the soda from time to time. Replace every two months.

9. Baking soda absorbs kitty litter odours. Cover the bottom of the kitty box with one part soda; then add a layer of three parts kitty litter on top.

10. Wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers with soda and water to get rid of stale smells.

11. Give baby bottles a good cleaning with baking soda and hot water.

12. To remove burned-on food from a pan, let the pan soak in a solution of baking soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.

13. For a badly-burned pan with a thick layer of burned-on food, pour a thick layer of soda directly onto the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water to moisten the soda. Leave the pot overnight, then scrub it clean next day.

14. Soak your shower curtains in water and soda to clean them.

15. Sprinkle soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots and slippers to eliminate odour.

16. Put two tablespoons of baking soda in your baby's bath water to help relieve diaper rash irritations.

17. Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.

18 . Gargle with 1/2 tsp baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to freshen and cleanse your mouth.

19. Put it under sinks and along basement windows to repel cockroaches and ants.

20. Add a cup to the toilet, leave it for an hour, and then flush. It will clean the toilet and absorb the odour.

Sources: http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/lib2/60soda.htm

and http://www.joyofbaking.com/bakingsoda.html#ixzz0JwAZSRR3&C