Baking soda is incredibly versatile, with lots of uses around the house. I buy it in bulk because I use it so often for cleaning, beauty routines, detox baths, and more.
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a very alkaline salt known for its many applications. It has a slightly salty and bitter taste and is often used in baking to help dough rise by reacting with acids to produce carbon dioxide gas, which makes baked goods fluffy.
It’s important to note that baking soda and baking powder are not the same. Baking powder contains cream of tartar, which acts as an acidic agent needed to create that leavening reaction in baking. When you’re baking and unsure about what to use, remember: baking powder can stand alone, while baking soda needs an acid or leavening agent to work properly.
In essence, baking soda isn’t interchangeable with washing soda. Although baking soda can sometimes replace baking powder, if you expect results to be a bit flat, washing soda (sodium carbonate) is chemically distinct and is strictly for cleaning and household purposes, not food.
To break it down, sodium bicarbonate is NaHCO3 (one sodium, one hydrogen, one carbon, three oxygen molecules) and washing soda is Na2CO3 (two sodium, one carbon, three oxygen molecules). Both are alkaline and are often used to neutralize odors, but washing soda is much stronger. This makes it excellent for stain removal and cleaning tasks like homemade laundry detergent and general-purpose cleaners, but not suitable for cooking as it can alter taste and texture too drastically.
Here are some favorite uses for baking soda:
1. Oven Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of your oven, mist it with water until it forms a paste, and let it sit for several hours. Then, wipe away the grease and burnt food residue.
2. Natural Deodorant: Combine baking soda with coconut oil and shea butter for an effective homemade deodorant that beats most store-bought options.
3. Scouring Powder: Mix baking soda with borax and salt to create a natural scouring powder that tackles tough stains on tubs and floors.
4. Detox Bath: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a warm bath to help draw out toxins from your body and soothe sunburn. You can mix it with other ingredients for a more elaborate detox bath.
5. Toothpaste Alternative: Use baking soda as a key ingredient in a simple homemade toothpaste that keeps teeth smooth and clean without being too abrasive.
6. Facial Exfoliator: Make a gentle exfoliating paste for your face with baking soda and water. Apply it lightly on your face for 10-20 seconds before rinsing. Because of its strong alkalinity, it’s better to use this occasionally, not daily.
Some people even find relief from heartburn by mixing a small amount of baking soda in water. What are your favorite baking soda hacks? Feel free to share!
