On 06 Oct 2007 15:50:56 GMT, (Andrew
Gabriel) wrote:

Baking powder is Sodium Hydroden Carbonate diluted with flour
so that the tiny amounts required can be reasonably accurately
measured in a kitchen.

Baking powder is usually a mixture of Bicarbonate of Soda and
Tartaric Acid in the ratio 1:2.

Can it also be used as a general purpose cleaner (diluted in water)?

Bicarbonate of Soda can, baking powder cannot.

Yes. Particularly useful where you don't want any smell from
a perfumed cleaner, such as inside a fridge, and you don't
want any acid or alkali left behind.

Other than in fridges Bicarbonate of Soda isn't a terribly good
cleaning agent and (if bought in small tubs from a supermarket) quite
an expensive one.

"soda crystals" are Sodium Carbonate, IIRC.

washing soda, a degreaser

Can I use this (diluted) for - cleaning inside fridge & on the sofa?
(Previously I used bicarbonate of soda.)

I wouldn't use bicarbonate of soda on materials. Washing Soda is a
fairly good general purpose cleaning agent but not for use in situ on
fabrics.
--
Peter Parry.
http://www.wpp.ltd.uk/