Baking powder is a raising agent that is commonly used in cake-making. It consists of three ingredients: baking soda, the source of the carbon dioxide gas that causes the dough or batter to rise; an acid, such as cream of tartar, calcium acid phosphate, or sodium aluminum sulphate, which, when the powder is combined with a liquid, causes the baking soda to release its gas; and a starch such as cornstarch (cornflour) or flour, to prevent the powder from absorbing moisture. Baking soda is found in its natural forms in mineral deposits found throughout the world. It is a natural cleaner, used with a variety of other natural substances baking soda can be made to scour, clean, deodorize and to gently lift dirt from a variety of fabrics and materials while deodorizing at the same time.