ELI5 Baking Soda - What gives it magical properties?

What is so magical about baking soda? It's used in in cooking, cleaning, deodorizing and many more applications. What gives it such amazing properties for everything?   ... We explain like i'm five!   Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community, and specifically the following reddit users whose questions and responses formed the basis of this conversation: captainawesomevcu, onewordscience & re_assembly   To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eli5ThePodcast/  or send us an e-mail: [email protected] ... we love hearing from you!