Milady Esthetics State Board Practice Test 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success

Sodium bicarbonate is commonly known as baking soda. It is a chemical compound that serves various purposes, including acting as a leavening agent in baking, neutralizing acids, and serving as a cleaning and deodorizing agent. The familiarity with this term arises from its prevalent use in households where it is utilized not only in cooking and baking but also for personal care and cleaning solutions.

Baking powder, while it contains sodium bicarbonate as one of its components, is a different substance that typically includes an acidifying agent and is used specifically for leavening in baking. Table salt refers to sodium chloride, which is chemically different from sodium bicarbonate, and light sodium is not a standard term related to these substances. Thus, the correct identification of sodium bicarbonate as baking soda is widely accepted due to its common household applications.