National Bicarbonate of Soda Day or Baking Soda day is observed each year annually on December 30th.
Just a spoonful of sodium bicarbonate doesn’t have the same ring to it, but this extraordinary, naturally occurring substance provides health benefits while cleaning the house.
- We add baking soda to recipes as a leavening agent to make our baked goods rise. Baking soda reacts with other acidic ingredients to make that happen.
- Since it is mildly acidic when it is mixed with water, dirt and grease dissolve more efficiently.
- As a gentle abrasive, baking soda makes an ideal cleaning product for kitchen appliances, pots, and pans. It’s even recommended for chrome and the exterior of our automobiles.
- The ability to neutralize odors is one of baking soda’s most powerful properties.
- Use it as a mouthwash, toothpaste, and deodorant for the mouth, feet, and underarms. Beyond personal hygiene, baking soda takes care of smells from pets and food, too.
- The scientific name for baking soda is sodium of bicarbonate, and baking soda also goes by the term bicarbonate of soda.
- Drinkable carbonated water was first produced in 1767 by J.B. Priestley.
- Jacob Schweppes began producing carbonated water commercially in 1783.
- The first soda pop was marketed in the U.S. in 1807.
- Carbonation results from releasing pressurized carbon dioxide in liquids.
- Sometimes sodium or potassium salts are added to produce specific tastes.
- While various baking powders were sold in the first half of the 19th century, our modern variants were discovered by Alfred Bird in 1843.
- During World War II, Byron H. Smith, an inventor in Bangor, Maine (U.S.), created a substitute product for American housewives, who were unable to obtain cream of tartar or baking powder due to war food shortages.
- Sodium bicarbonate is often taken by mouth as an antacid to treat the symptoms of heartburn and upset stomach.
- Canadians use up to 4,800,000 kilograms (9,600,000 Ibs) of Arm and Hammer® baking soda every year!
- Arm & Hammer® was the sole sponsor of the very first Earth Day in 1970. This is right when baking soda began to get attention as an all-natural cleaner!
- In 3500 BC, Ancient Egyptians used natron (a substance primarily made from sodium carbonate) to not only clean, but also to…make mummies! Talk about spooky!
Sources:
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
