Bleach and bicarb

[spacechimp]

I think I read the other day that adding bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) would make bleach more effective, but I wanted to check that it wasn't sodium carbonate (washing soda) that works. Which one is it? Is either OK?

(If you are going to say "don't mix bleach with anything... chlorine gas" then please don't.)

[heathfield]

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can be added to bleach in a wash cycle and will help neutralise the bleach smell. By softening the water it also allows detergents to work more effectively.

[spacechimp]

Cheers.