Baking soda is a popular baking ingredient. It is also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda. Most of us have a box or container of baking soda that is rarely used and is stored away in a kitchen shelf corner. Baking soda is an inexpensive purchase that is high in antacid properties and is a great alkalising agent. It bestows a light, fluffy texture to foods such as bread, cakes, muffins, and cookies. Nonetheless, baking soda has a variety of household uses that you may be unaware of, spanning from cooking to cleaning to skin care. Nonetheless, baking soda has a variety of household uses that you may be unaware of, spanning from cooking to cleaning to skin care.
So, let us discuss the baking soda benefits that will persuade you to use this down – to – earth ingredient in some potential.
Uses of Baking Soda in Cooking
Baking soda is an essential ingredient in making fluffy pancakes, quick breads, and perfect cakes and cookies, as we all know. We’re not actually discussing it here. But did you know it’s also useful for a variety of other cooking tasks?
1. Tone the Acidity of Canned Tomatoes
The ability to balance acidity and sweetness is essential in reaching a great tomato flavor. Even though canned tomatoes can be a lot of things, the acidity varies a lot from one brand to the next when it comes to acidity. Baking soda, thankfully, comes to the rescue. A quarter teaspoon of baking soda will do the trick, neutralizing excess acidity without altering the texture or flavor.
2. Soften Beans
Did you know that the most effective way to soften beans is to use baking soda? Yes. Hard water, which is high in calcium and magnesium, extends the time it takes to cook dried beans by slowing or preventing softening. Baking soda raises the pH of the cooking liquid, allowing the chickpeas to break down and soften more easily. When you’re using hard water or beans that have been damaged by time of life or storage, dissolve one teaspoon of baking soda in six cups of cold water and soak it overnight, refreshing both the water and the baking soda. Replace the baking soda if you drain the soaking water and cook the beans in fresh water.
3. Improves Shrimp Recipe
A quick brine of salt and baking soda works great when making shrimp. The salt keeps the shrimp moist and juicy while the baking soda gives them a crispier, snappier texture. Baking soda accelerates the Maillard reaction, which is responsible for the complex flavors of cooked, browned foods, because it is alkaline (raises pH levels). For every pound of shrimp, combine 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, toss well and chill for 15 minutes to an hour.
Uses of Baking Soda in Cleaning
Baking soda is a multi-purpose cleaner that is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic, making it the perfect alternative to chemical cleaners in your home.
Note: Commercial cleaners are more effective than baking soda. But, unlike the many store-bought cleaning products, it doesn’t end up leaving a strong odor.
1. Kitchen Cleaner
Baking soda is sometimes all you need to clean in the kitchen, but depending on the surface and the tough stains, you may need to combine it with a natural acid like white vinegar or lemons. It may also aid in the control of harmful microorganisms such as mold and bacteria.
Make a paste with baking soda, equal parts lemon juice, and a little water to use baking soda in your kitchen in general. Apply the paste with a sponge or cloth to the desired surface and scrub thoroughly to make it sparkle in no time.
Baking soda will be useful in cleaning the following kitchen appliances and surfaces:
- Clogged drains
- Countertops
- Kitchen tiles
- Microwaves
- Stained coffee cups
- Stained pots and pans
- Tarnished silver
2. Bathroom Cleaner
Bathrooms have different types of surfaces that are regularly used and thus require regular cleaning. While there are a number of commercial bathroom cleaners available, you can also use baking soda, which is a more natural and cost-effective cleaning option. It’s useful because it cleans and disinfects a variety of bathroom surfaces.
Baking soda can be used to clean the following surfaces:
- Bathroom Tiles
- Bathtubs
- Showers
- Shower Curtains
- Sinks
- Toilets
To do so, using baking soda and a little water, make a paste. Rub the mixture properly onto the surface you want to clean with a sponge or a cloth, then wipe it down with a damp cloth 15–20 minutes later.
3. Makeup Brushes Cleaner
Clean makeup brushes will help you apply makeup evenly and will also prevent acne and skin irritation because you won’t be spreading germs all over your face. While you can buy readymade cleaners, baking soda is a better option if you want something more natural. Baking soda will loosen the gunk on makeup brushes without the need for scrubbing. Mix 1-2 tablespoons baking soda with warm water and soak your makeup brushes for 20-30 minutes in the solution. After that, simply rinse under running water and pat dry with paper towels.
Check out essential makeup brushes for beginners here.
Uses of Baking Soda for Skin
Baking soda for skin is a helpful trick for some of your skin troubles. However, it is not a miraculous portion for all of them, as some claim.
“Baking soda is readily available, and is one of the safest options for your skin. It has amazing healing properties, and due to its grainy texture it helps in exfoliating the skin. Also, its alkaline nature makes it antifungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial as well. Plus, it also has skin soothing properties”, informs renowned dermatologist, Dr. Rinky Kapoor.
1. Great Exfoliator
Baking soda is a great exfoliator for the skin. It can give skin a deep, exfoliating wipe down while also being anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It is mildly abrasive in nature. This aids in the removal of dead skin cells and the production of new ones, giving the skin a smooth texture and a healthy glow. You can dilute baking soda in water and massage it into your skin in a circular motion. However, we do not recommend using this solution on a daily basis; instead, use it twice a week.
You can also use this to exfoliate your feet (in fact, due to its mild harshness, some may recommend using it on your feet rather than your face). So, if you don’t want to spend money on a pedicure at a salon, you can soften your calluses and clean your toenails with baking soda at home!
2. Natural Deodorant
Are you aware that human sweat has no odor? Yes. Sweat only develops an odor after bacteria in your armpits break it down. These bacteria turn your sweat into acidic waste products, which are responsible for the odor. So, if you sweat a lot and have a body odor problem, baking soda can help. This is due to its antibacterial properties, which kill the bacteria that cause foul odors. Moreover, baking soda not only masks odors, but it also absorbs them. That’s why it is used in many natural deodorants to eliminate odor without the use of harmful chemicals.
3. Lighten Lip Color
If we don’t take proper care of our lips, the natural color may change. Lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, high exposure to sun, and wearing long-wear lipsticks can darken the color of your lips. Baking soda, which is also a popular cleansing agent, can help dark lips regain their natural color. You can mix honey and baking soda and stir thoroughly and apply to your lips for two to three minutes before washing away with water.
4. Relief for Minor Allergies
Baking soda can help relieve a small rash, itchiness, redness, or raised bump caused by a minor allergy. It will help the skin allergy by balancing the pH of your skin and acting as an anti-inflammatory. To be precise, baking soda’s alkaline content aids in the neutralization of toxins, which can help to relieve itching. You can make a paste by mixing 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 12 tablespoons of distilled water (or coconut oil) until it forms a paste. After that, apply the paste to the irritated area. After 10 minutes, give the area a gentle rinse with cool water.
Baking soda is also commonly used to treat itchy skin caused by bug bites or bee stings. According to the Mayo Clinic, you can get comfort by applying a paste of baking soda to the bite a few times a day by mixing baking soda with a little water until you get the right texture.
Best Baking Soda on Market – Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda
Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda is a versatile, natural, and reliable answer for cleaning, deodorization, and a variety of other applications that has been around for 170 years and counting. Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda has received the title of America’s #1 Trusted Baking Soda brand year after year by helping households in nearly every domestic task, from cooking and cleaning to pet care and personal care.
Baking soda is fantastic in general, and this particular brand has always done right by the majority of its loyal customers!
Why should you buy Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda?
- Inexpensive
- Fresh
- Effective
- Functional and diverse
- Gentle enough to use on many surfaces
- Great value for money
- Free of harsh chemicals
Why you shouldn’t?
If you don’t need baking soda.
Uses of Baking Soda | Conclusion
To summarize, baking soda is a multi – functional ingredient with many applications beyond baking. When it comes to cooking, cleaning, and skin conditions, this household mainstay comes to the fore. Baking soda is also inexpensive and readily available. It’s never a bad idea to keep a container in your kitchen among other things.
