Is Fridge And Freezer Baking Soda Edible? The 61 Top Answers

If you’re anything like me, buy a big box of baking soda when it’s on sale and end up with plenty left over after it’s gone. But while it may not be fresh enough to bake, your money isn’t wasted. I’ve found 11 clever ways to use expired baking soda around the house, from playdough recipes to insect repellent.

Yes, really! Check them all out below.

Related: Spring Cleaning With Salt! 8 Unexpected Uses in the Kitchen Beyond Cooking.

Before we get to the many ways you can use your expired baking soda, here’s a pro tip on how to tell if your baking soda is fresh: Start by adding 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar to a cup of hot water . Then, once that’s mixed, stir in 1/2 teaspoon of your baking soda. If it’s bubbling up like a kid’s science experiment, it’s still fresh. Otherwise it’s broken and time to use it in one of those clever ways.

Incidentally, you can also use fresh baking soda for all of these uses, but the point is that expired baking soda still works for these jobs.

11 uses for expired baking soda

1. Clean your oven, pots and pans. Mix half a cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water to make a cleaning paste that you can use to remove boiled-in stains. Be careful though and consider only using this on stainless steel as the mix is ​​surprisingly abrasive. Personally, I would use a gentler formula on my ceramic and non-stick cookware.

(Above: Our Favorite All-Clad Stainless Steel Pans / Affiliate Link)

2. Clean your drains. Run really hot water down your kitchen sink, then slowly pour 1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of lemon juice down the drain. Finally, run your disposal (if you have one) to get rid of them – and all the accumulated junk.

3. Deodorize your fridge. Your grandma probably taught you this, but just in case: put an open box of baking soda in your fridge and it will absorb any stinky odors that build up inside. We’ve been doing this for years and it really works even after the soda is out.

4. Soften your skin with a bath. You know all that free time you have for a long, relaxing bath? Now, while you’re there, add 1 cup of baking soda to the bath water to soften your skin. Or maybe more realistic: put some baking soda in your baby’s bath water. It also helps with diaper rash.

5. Make a homemade decongestant. If you’re all stuffed up during the cold season, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to your vaporizer. Some claim that it reduces swelling while you sleep overnight.

6. Soften stiff brushes. If you’re in the middle of a DIY project around the house but your brushes have gotten too stiff to use, no bad luck. Boil the brushes in half a gallon of water combined with 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1 cup baking soda to loosen and clean them.

7. Whip up a DIY bug repellent. If you have an ant infestation in your kitchen (hand raised), try placing an open container of baking soda near where insects enter your home. They don’t like baking soda, so they turn around and go right back out. At least that’s what the experts say.

Related: The absolute best way to remove a cooking oil spill. From someone who knows.

Photo: Annie Spratt via Unsplash

8. Use it as a homemade laundry freshener. Soak cloth diapers, baby bibs, or other soiled and smelly items in water and baking soda before washing. It will loosen the stains and refresh those dingy items. The amount doesn’t have to be exact: about half a cup of baking soda in a sink filled with water should do the trick.

9. Make DIY clay. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, boil 2 cups of baking soda, 1 cup of cornstarch, and 1/4 cup of water. Once the mixture looks like mashed potatoes, remove the saucepan from the heat and cover with a damp cloth until cool. Once you can comfortably feel the mixture, knead it on a surface that has been generously sprinkled with cornstarch. Add some food coloring if you like, and Viola, a DIY kid-safe play dough, takes shape.

10. Refresh carpet or upholstery. Sprinkle baking soda on your fabrics or carpet before vacuuming to reduce pet (and child!) odors. And honestly, I’m not sure which one is worse. Ha!

11. Brighten up your toilets. Do you have toilet envy? Just kidding: this isn’t a thing and let’s not make it one! But if you want cleaner underpants, put 1 cup of baking soda in your toilet bowl, leave for an hour (at least) and then flush. It will brighten up your pottery and absorb any – erm – odors.

Top photo: @armandhammer

Baking soda and baking soda are both leavening agents, which are substances that help baked goods rise. Both experienced and home bakers often confuse them due to their similar names and appearance. This article explains the differences between baking soda and baking powder and how substituting one for the other can affect your baked goods. Share on Pinterest

What is baking powder? Baking soda is a leavening agent used in baked goods such as cakes, muffins, and cookies. Known formally as sodium bicarbonate, it is a white crystalline powder that is alkaline or basic in nature (1). Baking soda is activated when combined with both an acidic ingredient and a liquid. Activation creates carbon dioxide, which causes baked goods to rise and become fluffy and fluffy (1). For this reason, recipes that include baking soda also include an acidic ingredient, such as lemon juice or buttermilk (2, 3). Summary Baking soda, chemically known as sodium bicarbonate, is a baking ingredient that’s activated by a liquid and an acid to help leaven, or leaven.

What is baking powder? Unlike baking soda, baking soda is a complete leavening agent, meaning it contains both the base (sodium bicarbonate) and acid needed to leaven the product. Cornstarch is also typically found in baking soda. It is added as a buffer to prevent acid and base from activating during storage. Similar to how baking soda reacts with water and an acidic ingredient, the acid in baking soda reacts with sodium bicarbonate and releases carbon dioxide once it is combined with a liquid ( 4Trusted Source ). Single- and double-acting baking powders are available, although single-acting varieties are typically only used by food manufacturers and are not typically available for household use ( 5Trusted Source ). When a recipe calls for baking powder, it’s most likely referring to the double-acting kind. This means that the powder causes two separate reactions: first when combined with liquid at room temperature, and second once the mixture is heated. In many recipes it is beneficial to have a prolonged reaction so that the leavening or leavening does not occur all at once. Summary Baking soda is a complete leavening agent, which means it contains both sodium bicarbonate and an acidic ingredient. It is available as a single or double-acting agent, although double-acting powders are more commonly used.

When to Use Which Baking soda is used in recipes that also contain an acidic ingredient, such as cream of tartar, buttermilk, or citrus juice. Conversely, baking soda is typically used when the recipe doesn’t include an acidic ingredient, since the powder already contains the acid needed to create carbon dioxide. Baking mixes can vary greatly in their acidity. To create a desirable baked good, you need to find the right balance of acid and base. Some recipes may call for both baking soda and baking soda. This is usually because the recipe contains an acidity that needs to be balanced by the baking soda, but may not be enough to fully acidify the product. Summary Baking soda is used when the recipe contains acidic ingredients, while baking soda can be used without additional acidic ingredients.

Substituting in Recipes While it’s possible to substitute baking soda and baking powder in recipes, it’s not as simple as simply substituting one for the other. Substituting Baking Soda for Baking Soda While substituting baking soda for baking powder isn’t universally recommended, you might be able to make it work in a pinch. Swapping baking soda for baking soda requires no additional ingredients. However, baking soda is much stronger than baking soda. Therefore, you’ll probably need about three times as much powder as soda to get the same buoyancy. Also, this substitution can cause your end product to have a chemical or bitter taste. Alternatively, you could try one of several other baking soda substitutes. Substituting Baking Powder for Baking Powder If your recipe calls for baking powder and you only have baking powder on hand, you may be able to substitute it, but you will need to add additional ingredients. Since baking soda lacks the acidity that baking soda would normally add to the recipe, you must be careful to add an acidic ingredient like cream of tartar to activate the baking soda. Also, baking soda has a much stronger raising power than baking soda. As a rule of thumb, about 1 teaspoon of baking soda is equal to 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. Summary While swapping out baking powder and baking soda in recipes isn’t as easy as a 1:1 substitution, it can work with certain modifications to your recipe.

Unlike regular toothpastes, ARM & HAMMER™ toothpastes are naturally powered by dental-grade ARM & HAMMER™ baking soda. Baking soda has been used to promote good oral health for over 165 years. Baking soda offers numerous benefits as an oral health solution, including:

• Acid neutralization and pH balancing: Plaque acids lower the pH in your mouth and when the pH in your mouth is too low, acids can attack and damage tooth enamel and weaken your teeth. With its high pH, ​​baking soda helps increase the pH levels in your mouth and neutralize harmful acids more effectively than regular toothpastes, and not only protects against damage to tooth enamel, but also helps restore important minerals and strengthen teeth naturally strengthen.

• Gentle, low-abrasive cleaning: Baking soda is an ideal cleaning agent for teeth – in fact, baking soda is less abrasive than virtually any other cleaning agent used in most toothpastes. Less abrasion means less tooth wear, which keeps your teeth healthier for longer.

• Deep cleaning action – Dental grade ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda dissolves quickly and can penetrate between teeth and along the gumline – you’ll feel it working for a deep clean.

• Whitening Power: The gentle yet deep cleaning power of baking soda naturally removes surface stains without damaging tooth enamel for a whiter, brighter smile. Try ARM & HAMMER™ Advance White™ 3 in 1 Power, ARM & HAMMER™ STAIN PROTECTION, ARM & HAMMER™ Complete Care™, ARM & HAMMER™ EXTREME WHITE, ARM & HAMMER™ Sensitive Whitening, ARM & Hammer ™_Rejuvenating and ARM & HAMMER™ Bright & Strong whitening products that are less abrasive than several leading whitening toothpastes.

• Some other benefits of choosing a baking soda toothpaste are – breath freshening and deodorizing odor control due to its ability to neutralize odor-causing compounds in the mouth.

While most recipes don’t call for a lot of baking powder, that doesn’t mean it isn’t essential.

This alkaline agent is a miracle product that turns sticky dough into baked goods. Still, like many common ingredients, it has substitutes. If you’re halfway through a muffin recipe and suddenly realize you don’t have baking powder in the pantry, there’s no need to panic.

Renée Gan, a food scientist who has over 25 years of experience working for major food companies like Kellogg’s and Kraft Foods, has several common solutions for home bakers who are stuck without baking soda. She told TODAY Food about her favorite baking powder substitutes and alternatives.

Can baking powder be substituted for baking soda?

The difference between baking soda and baking soda is simple: baking soda contains the leavening acids needed to create carbon dioxide (bubbles), and baking soda needs other ingredients for that reaction to take place.

Since baking powder is an ingredient in baking soda, baking soda is technically the best substitute for baking soda. Gan — who noted that all substitutions can change the texture and flavor of the finished dish — recommended using triple the amount of baking soda instead of baking soda. So if a recipe calls for one teaspoon of baking soda, use three teaspoons (or one tablespoon) of baking soda.

If you don’t have baking powder or baking soda on hand, Gans says there are some recipes you really should avoid. Cakes, for example, just become too dense.

protein

Baking powder can be substituted for whipped egg whites in certain recipes.

If you can go without baking soda or baking soda (and not making a super complex recipe), try egg whites.

“The proteins in the egg white give the baked product a physical structure,” explained Gan, who recommended starting with two egg whites at a time.

First, put the egg whites in a measuring cup and remove the same amount of liquid from the recipe. Before adding the egg whites to your mixture, beat the egg whites until fluffy. The more air that is incorporated – which gives the baked goods buoyancy – the better.

Soda

No more baking powder? Using a little club soda will actually give your baked goods a little lift.

You can also use soda ash as a substitute for baking soda. As with the egg white method, you should remove the same amount of liquid from your recipe that you are adding back in the form of club soda.

“If you try this approach, work fast,” Gan advised. “A lot of the carbon dioxide in club soda is lost in the air and doesn’t provide much lift.” According to Gan, you never get enough lift from soda pop to make something super light and fluffy. So if you want to bake cake-like cookies, make a trip to the grocery store first.

Self-raising flour

Self-raising flour already has a leavening agent added.

Unlike all-purpose flour, which contains only one ingredient (wheat), self-raising flour is pre-mixed with a leavening agent and often some salt. If you’ve never baked with self-raising flour, it can be a bit tricky as the same amount can’t be easily swapped out in place of the regular stuff. Each cup of self-raising flour contains about 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt, so you’ll need to adjust your recipe accordingly. If you happen to have a friend who loves fractions, give them a call to help them recalculate the measurements of the self-raising flour recipe.

When all else goes wrong…

For baked goods that don’t require too much leavening, like cookies or pancakes, it’s actually okay to skip the baking soda altogether — they just won’t turn out as light and fluffy.

If you go this route when making pancakes, Gan recommends pouring less batter into the pan to cover the same surface area. When making biscuits, she advised flattening the biscuit dough to avoid creating a large mass that doesn’t rise.

“The cookies will be crunchier and the pancakes more like crepes,” Gan said. Also, don’t forget to adjust your baking times because the thinner your batter, the faster it will bake.

Whatever you do, don’t do this

Although yeast is a popular leavening agent for making bread, it is not advisable to use it in place of baking soda.

Yeast can help bread rise, but it’s not a food substitute for baking soda.

“The mechanism is completely different,” Gan said. “Yeast is a living organism that needs different conditions to thrive (and) function, and imparts properties or flavors that you don’t necessarily want in your cake or cookie product.”

Related:

Brushing your teeth with baking soda is sometimes touted as an effective way to whiten your teeth. Baking soda (also called sodium bicarbonate) is an abrasive compound that can remove the stains caused by drinking coffee, tea, smoking, etc., as well as the deposits on the surface of the teeth to make teeth appear whiter and brighter . It can therefore whiten teeth to some extent and also prevent some discoloration.

How baking soda is used for teeth whitening

Baking soda can be used with a little water to remove the stains on the surface of the teeth. It can also be used with hydrogen peroxide to enhance its whitening effects. Baking soda can also be used by people with regular toothpastes. It is also used commercially in some teeth whitening products and toothpastes.

While some recommend or recommend using lemon juice and strawberries with baking soda to enhance whitening abilities, these are not ideal. Lemon juice is acidic and can eat away at the calcium from teeth and corrode or destroy it, lemon juice can also cause gingivitis. Strawberries can whiten teeth because of the ascorbic acid they contain, and since acids are generally not good for teeth, using strawberries along with baking soda can therefore be harmful to teeth.

One of the benefits of using baking soda is the fact that it can serve as a cheaper alternative to expensive teeth whitening treatments and products. It can also neutralize and counteract bacterial acids in the mouth. And due to its abrasive properties, it can also remove plaque that can cause tooth decay and gum disease from teeth.

Use baking soda safely

Baking soda generally needs to be used properly to protect tooth enamel from damage. Ideally, the soda should not be used too frequently, as frequent use can damage tooth enamel. It should generally only be used about once a week and for two minutes at a time.

Baking soda should also not be used as a substitute for toothpaste as it does not contain fluoride, fluoride helps protect teeth from decay and strengthens tooth enamel. Using some fluoridated toothpaste with baking soda can keep teeth healthy. The baking soda should also not be scrubbed too hard on the teeth to protect gums and tooth enamel. You should check with your Coventry dentist first before using baking soda to brush your teeth, especially if you have any pre-existing gum problems/problems or sensitive teeth

The cons and risks of using baking soda

There are some risks associated with using baking soda to brush your teeth. It can damage tooth enamel, which can cause teeth to become more sensitive than they should be to hot or cold temperatures, and it can also make brushing your teeth itself painful. Damage to tooth enamel can also make teeth more likely to attract tooth decay.

Baking soda can weaken or soften the glue or adhesive of braces and permanent dental appliances or fittings, so it should not be used by people with such fittings. Baking soda can also be misused as there is no standard procedure that would ensure its safe use for teeth whitening. It could also damage gums and may not appeal to some people because of its taste.

Dealing with stains that cannot be removed with baking soda

Baking soda generally doesn’t work on a variety of stains. It may not be able to remove some deep or severe stains or whiten teeth as some people would like. Those who wish to whiten their teeth must actually use a bleaching agent to achieve this as baking soda cannot whiten teeth.

Individuals may therefore choose to use some natural teeth whitening products or treatments instead of soda. Some tooth stains are internal while others are external, and some stains can be treated with whitening products while others cannot. You should check with your dentist before using any whitening solutions or kits on your teeth.

The most common whitening methods are professional in-office treatments, professional at-home kits, and over-the-counter products. The active ingredient in most whitening products is hydrogen peroxide. The more peroxide in a product, the more likely the product will whiten teeth. Whitening products that may be used or provided by a dentist generally contain more peroxide than over-the-counter products, ensuring a more effective whitening.

Professional in-office whitening treatments are performed in the dentist’s office and can be completed in about an hour. However, they are more expensive than other methods. Professional kits for home use are mouthpieces and whitening gels provided by dentists. They can be used to whiten teeth at home and can also provide faster results than similar over-the-counter kit options.

Over-the-counter products like strips, whitening toothpastes, or chewing gum are less expensive than professional in-office treatments and professional at-home kits. With them, you don’t have to make an appointment with your dentist, and there are also many options and brands to choose from. You may generally need multiple treatments or use a product multiple times before your teeth appear as white as you want them to. A whitening treatment or solution may also need to be repeated over time to keep or keep teeth white.

Brushing your teeth with baking soda can be an inexpensive way to remove stains or whiten teeth, but there are a number of whitening products and treatments that can also be more effective. Individuals should therefore also consider these when looking for a bleaching solution.

The easiest home remedy for teeth whitening due to the accessibility of the ingredients, but how to do it and does it even work?

Table of Contents:

4 different ways to whiten with baking soda.

There are four different ways to use baking soda for whitening, and they all require readily available ingredients that can be found at your local market or pharmacy.

How to whiten teeth with baking soda and water

Place 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small bowl. Mix in a few drops of water. Stir until it becomes a paste. Apply the mixture to the toothbrush and brush your teeth with it. Leave the paste on your teeth for 2-3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water and you’re done.

How to whiten your teeth with baking soda and toothpaste

Apply your regular toothpaste to your brush. Sprinkle some baking soda on the toothpaste. Brush your teeth as usual!

How to whiten your teeth with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

Place 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small bowl. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Stir the mixture until it becomes sticky. Apply the mixture to your teeth with a toothbrush and leave on for 2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and you’re done.

How to whiten your teeth with baking soda and lemon juice

Place 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small bowl. Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice into the bowl. Mix until it becomes a paste. Apply the paste to your teeth and leave it on for 2 minutes. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

How long does it take to whiten teeth with baking soda?

You can use any of the four methods above to whiten your teeth at home. It can take up to two to three weeks for the baking soda to whiten your teeth, so you’ll need to be diligent with the new routine. If you have time, you should strive to apply the whitening mixture twice a day, once in the evening and once in the morning, but at least once a day.

Does baking soda whiten teeth and is it effective?

The baking soda is effective in whitening teeth by mechanically removing surface stains and plaque to give the appearance of whiter teeth. Unfortunately, it is not effective at actually whitening teeth by changing color.

This means that it removes any foreign matter covering your teeth, but does not alter the natural base color of your tooth. This is because baking soda is an effective abrasive but does not contain traditional bleaches like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.

Therefore, most of the above baking soda mixes are ineffective except for the one containing 3% hydrogen peroxide. This one mixture can potentially help you whiten your teeth as it contains whitening agents. Just so you’re aware, the professional whitening kits you take home from your dentist contain a much higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, sometimes as high as 10%. This means it is a much less effective version of a professionally performed whitening.

Is it dangerous to whiten teeth with baking soda?

There are only two concerns about the safety of baking soda whitening and that has to do with the abrasiveness of the paste and the whitening ingredient.

abrasiveness of baking soda. It is perfectly safe to whiten with baking soda as the abrasiveness is only slightly more than plain water and significantly less than regular toothpaste. Due to the low abrasiveness, it is unlikely that your tooth enamel will be damaged. In fact, the only way you can damage your teeth is to brush aggressively with a hard toothbrush, but that has nothing to do with the baking soda.

whitening ingredient. The hydrogen peroxide added to the mixture can damage your tooth enamel if used in high concentrations. Luckily, your local market only sells it at a 3% concentration. A much higher concentration is used in professional whitening. It is designed with a low concentration so you can use it on a daily basis, making it safe.

Bring away

Whitening your teeth at home with baking soda is easy due to the availability of the ingredients. However, it will only whiten your teeth by surface abrasion, but will not change the color of your teeth unless you use the hydrogen peroxide blend. The upside is that it’s perfectly safe to lighten with baking soda due to its innate low abrasive quality.

You probably keep a box of baking soda in the back of your fridge and pull it out when you need to bake a batch of cookies for your family. Maybe you took it when your stomach hurt or used it to clean your laundry. And maybe you even combined baking soda and vinegar in a high school science project a long time ago. (Spoilers: It “explodes” in fizz.) Baking soda is a staple in virtually every household, but how much do you really know about this seemingly simple ingredient?

What is baking soda and how did it become the staple it is today?

Baking soda is an alkaline white powder that’s ubiquitous in modern kitchens. Its rise is largely attributed to a major brand. In 1846 two brothers-in-law, Dr. Austin Church and John Dwight, together to distribute baking soda. (1)

The product made in Dwight’s kitchen was called Arm & Hammer Church & Co’s Bicarbonate of Soda. Up until 1860, Arm & Hammer wanted to show the public just how versatile the ingredient was. They began handing out mini cookbooks with recipes for breads, cakes, cookies, puddings and more – some of which were family recipes. (Want to see issue 34? Check it out here.) Funnily enough, “Don’t Buy Baking Soda” was a special section! (2)

In the 1920s, Arm & Hammer was advertised in women’s magazines to spread its popularity. (1) According to the company, in 1972, people everywhere started putting a box of baking soda in their fridge to keep things fresh.

When used in baking, baking soda acts as a chemical leavening agent, generating carbon dioxide in response to an acid (like vinegar) that creates bubbles that help the cake or cookie rise to tender, moist, and fluffy perfection. (3)

Every product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links included, we may receive a commission.

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is one of the most versatile kitchen ingredients out there. While most people use it as a leavening agent in baking, baking soda can also be used in the kitchen for surprising cooking purposes as well as cleaning. Depending on what it’s combined with, baking soda’s basic structure (remember acids and bases in chemistry class?) can help break down food or remove built-up fat.

If you have a dirty oven, sheet pan, or even a smelly refrigerator, baking soda can be used to clean all of this. And if you’re looking to use up that box of baking soda in cooking, you might be surprised to learn that dishes like beans and bagels can benefit from baking soda. Here are eight proven cooking and cleaning tricks with baking soda.

5 ways to use baking soda for cleaning

baking paper

I’m a big fan of one pan dinners because they’re convenient, but it means my baking sheets get dirty real quick. However, thanks to a combination of baking soda and vinegar, I can boost the cleaning process. While it requires vigorous scrubbing, the baking soda combination acts as a catalyst and makes removing burnt food stains much easier. Get step-by-step instructions on how to clean your baking trays.

drain

You may not automatically think of using baking soda to clean drains, but a combination of baking soda and vinegar is often effective. The chemical reaction between acid and base cuts through grease and soap deposits that have built up in the pipes. Be sure to flush hot water down the drain after pouring in the baking soda and vinegar combination. Check out this video for a simple tutorial. (And learn how to use baking soda to clean the rest of your sink.)

oven

If you’ve ever looked in your oven, seen it was messy and closed the door to avoid cleaning it, welcome to the club. Luckily, you can tackle those messy spots head-on with a paste made from baking soda and water. It’s a food-safe option and doesn’t leave an unpleasant odor like a combination of baking soda and vinegar might. Get a step-by-step guide to using baking soda to clean your oven.

refrigerator

Baking soda can work in two ways in your refrigerator. To combat food odors, the first thing to do is stick a box of baking soda on the shelf of your fridge, where it will absorb any unwanted odors. I prefer to use these fridge wraps that stick to the wall of my fridge rather than an open box that could easily be knocked over ($9 for a two-pack, Amazon). Put one in your freezer too so your ice cubes taste fresh too.

Second, baking soda can be used to clean the inside of your refrigerator. According to the American Cleaning Institute, a combination of baking soda and water is a great cleaning solution for the easily scratched interior of a refrigerator or freezer.

stovetop

With glass hobs, it can be difficult to see all of the stains. But a combination of baking soda and vinegar can help remove stubborn bits of food. Get step-by-step instructions on how to clean your glass hob.

3 ways to use baking soda in cooking

bagels

If you’re looking for a fun project, baking bagels is a great option. And the key to making this chewy New York-style bagel (the best style in my opinion) is cooking your bagels. Cooking your bagels in a mixture of water and baking soda creates an alkaline environment that will help your bagels brown. Check out this cooked bagel recipe from our sister site, MyRecipes.

beans

Adding a little baking soda when cooking dried beans is great for a number of reasons. First, it can help you cause less bloating (learn the science behind how adding baking soda to beans affects it). Second, it will cook your beans faster because the natural sodium ions in baking soda help soften the structure of the beans. Finally, soaking beans in a mixture of baking soda and water overnight can improve the texture of beans. Get Michael Solomonov’s recipe for creamy hummus.

potatoes

Applications and Benefits

Baking & Food Prep

Baking soda, which is available at the grocery store, is pure, food-grade sodium bicarbonate. Bakers add a small amount of baking soda to the mixture of flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and other ingredients in cakes, cookies, and other baked goods. The resulting chemical reaction then helps the dough expand, or rise, in a hot oven. Without baking soda and this chemical reaction, muffins, cakes and breads would fall flat.

Personal care products & medicines

In skincare and personal care products like lotions and bath salts, sodium bicarbonate helps control a product’s acid-base balance to keep it from spoiling. In toothpaste, sodium bicarbonate helps remove stains from teeth by dissolving tiny particles of food or drink that can contaminate tooth enamel. It’s also a common ingredient in deodorants, as it can help neutralize smelly, acidic odors.

Sodium bicarbonate is also an active ingredient in antacid products used to relieve heartburn and treat acidic indigestion. It quickly neutralizes stomach acid and temporarily relieves the symptoms of acid reflux.

cleaning products and solvents

Sodium bicarbonate is a common ingredient in cleaning, laundry and degreasing products. In cleaning supplies, sodium bicarbonate can react with vinegar to create a solution that helps clear drains or remove dirt in ovens. Its light abrasiveness is extremely efficient to remove burnt residue or grease.

The chemical properties of sodium bicarbonate can also help improve the efficiency of detergents by raising the pH of water, which helps shed dirt from fibers, resulting in fresher laundry.

Baking soda is 100% pure sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder is a mixture of baking soda (usually around 28-30%) and various acidic ingredients (individually or in combination). Both are used as leavening agents in baked goods – baking soda reacts with an acid, giving off carbon dioxide gas and allowing the dough to rise. However, they are used in different situations and are not interchangeable. Baking soda is typically used in a recipe that contains an acidic ingredient (tartar, buttermilk, etc.) that will react with the soda to give off carbon dioxide. Baking powder, which contains one or more acidic ingredients to facilitate the reaction, is used in recipes without acidic ingredients.

We’ve all heard or experienced the pantry horror stories. You’re ready to bake an amazing dessert, and you open a bag of flour or sugar only to find unwanted pests, hard lumps, or both. And there’s nothing sweet about that. Don’t let these discoveries stop you from keeping those baking clips. It just takes a little time and knowledge to store common baking ingredients. Not all baking ingredients are created equal. Everyone deserves a little attention to find the perfect spot and packaging. We’ve rounded up 10 common baking ingredients and outlined how to store them in your kitchen. Overall, you should select a grouping of sealed containers. The type depends on your space availability and where you plan to store common baking ingredients. If you want them on the counter, look for something that complements your decor. Storage in the pantry? Plastic containers might be the best choice. Just make sure the containers are airtight no matter what you choose. Have a labeller or felt-tip pen and tape handy. You should write the “best before” date on all common baking ingredients that you store.

All Purpose Flour Flour should be stored in a sealed container in a cool pantry. This means that the room should never rise above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. All-purpose flour has a shelf life of 1 to 2 years when stored in this way. Every time you open your flour, sniff it. You can tell if it has gone rancid.

Brown Sugar Brown sugar should be stored in the pantry or other dry and cool place in a sealed container. We personally like to double with brown sugar. We put the sugar in a resealable, airtight plastic bag and then in a larger container. Never store brown sugar in the fridge. You can freeze it if you want if you live in a very dry climate.

Baking soda Baking soda can be stored in its original packaging in the pantry or a dark and cool cupboard. Just make sure the lid is tightly closed. Storage in the refrigerator or freezer is not recommended. Condensation in the refrigerator can cause the powder in the can to react. To test your baking soda for freshness, mix together ½ tsp. with ¼ c. Water. It fizzes when it’s still fresh.

Granulated Sugar The beauty of storing granulated sugar is that unless you have a problem with pest control, it has an indefinite shelf life. This means a variety of storage methods are effective. Again, the key here is to create an airtight seal to keep moisture out. You can put sugar in either airtight canisters or resealable airtight bags.

Vanilla Extract Store your vanilla extract at a cool temperature in a dark environment. Do not store vanilla in the fridge or freezer. Lower temperatures will make your vanilla extract cloudy. If stored properly, this extract will keep indefinitely, but it’s recommended to use vanilla within five years for best flavor.

Baking soda Baking soda should be stored similar to baking soda. Some prefer to remove baking soda from its original packaging and store it in an airtight bag or container. Just make sure your baking soda is kept away from spices or other pungent odors, as it will absorb odors. Even with the container you choose, the baking soda can absorb any smell around it. Baking soda lasts 2-3 years this way. If you use a box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb odors, don’t use the same box for baking. See baking soda above for proper storage.

Yeast Unopened yeast should be stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, the yeast must be refrigerated or frozen in an airtight container. Yeast should be used within four to six months of opening.

Powdered sugar Powdered sugar can be stored in the same way as granulated sugar.

Salt One cool thing about salt is that it doesn’t go rancid when exposed to air. Often people store small amounts of salt in covered bowls and salt pigs on their countertops for easy pinching and tossing. I’m sure you could do that too. Otherwise, put it in an airtight container in the pantry. A word of warning: do not store your salt in metal containers. Salt leaches metals and you could end up with a toxic substance in your salt.

Cocoa Store your cocoa powder in an airtight container in the pantry. Don’t keep it in the fridge or freezer, both of which promote a humid environment. A humid environment could mean mold on your cocoa. When stored properly, cocoa should have a shelf life of about three years.

Do you see a common theme? Cool, dark and dry are always the best storage methods. By carefully following this guide to storing common baking ingredients, you’ll have long-lasting ingredients for our most popular recipes!