How to Keep Baking Soda Fresh (Plus 7 Ingenious Uses for Expired Baking Soda)

Baking soda is a pantry essential in almost every home. Since it can react with liquid components and create carbon dioxide, it is employed in recipes.

As a result, it is classified as a leavening agent; the carbon dioxide created is what causes baked foods to rise.

If you use outdated baking soda, you will notice that it clumps together, reducing its capacity to react with the liquid components and cause your baked products to rise.

Also, if it is not correctly stored, it may lose its capacity to perform effectively. It is important to preserve it properly so that it remains fresh and used for as long as possible.

What Is Baking Soda?

Baking soda is formed entirely of natural minerals nahcolite and trona. They are mined and purified into calcium carbonate soda ash.

It is then processed into baking soda, commonly known as sodium bicarbonate.

Baking Soda Uses

Baking soda is used in baking, but it also has other applications. Baking soda is used to clean, remove smells and moisture from the environment, kill mold, and even polish silver.

Baking soda is incredibly versatile, and it can be used for all of these things. But, never use the same baking soda box for baking, odor removal, or cleaning.

When you keep the baking soda box open for extended periods of time, it loses its baking product efficacy. Although you may use one box for this purpose, be sure you keep another box separate for baking.

How to Store Baking Soda

Baking soda is often packaged in a box, and it may be stored in this box until it is entirely used or expires. Since this box is designed particularly for baking soda, there is no need to move it to another container.

After you’ve opened the box to use it, close it and store it in a plastic bag to keep it fresh. Be careful to remove all of the air from the bag before sealing it, and keep the baking soda in a dry area. Individuals often store them in a cabinet corner.

It is critical that the cabinet, or wherever you choose to keep your baking soda, stay chilly. You also want it to remain stable and not vary.

Choose a cabinet that is not near the oven, stove, microwave, refrigerator, or any other equipment that employ heating and cooling fluctuations.

Also, you should not keep baking soda near spices or other strong-smelling items. Baking soda may absorb some of these aromas through the plastic bag, reducing its shelf life.

As you take out the baking soda to use it, sniff it to determine whether it has absorbed any scents. You may also take some out with a dry spoon to examine whether it has absorbed any moisture, which will impair its capacity to perform its role in baking.

While you’re cooking, be sure you use dry spoons to get the baking soda out of the box. If you use wet spoons, the water will activate the baking soda that is still in the box, making it less effective during baking.

Baking soda may be stored in this way on a shelf in your cabinet for two or three years. Just be sure to inspect it before using it to ensure it is still fresh.

How to Test Your Baking Soda to Make Sure it Is Still Active

Baking soda is one of those products that everyone has in their kitchen, but few people utilize it.

Baking soda has a shelf life of two to three years when properly kept. It is difficult to recall how long you have had a certain box, therefore there is a technique to test your baking soda to ensure that it is still functional.

Take roughly half a teaspoon of baking soda from the package and sprinkle it with a few drops of vinegar. If you see bubbles, the baking soda is still fresh and will work in your recipe.

How to Use Expired Baking Soda

Baking soda does not spoil in the same manner that other foods do. The expiry just implies that it will no longer be effective. Expired baking soda is unlikely to function as the leavening agent required in your recipe.

Nevertheless, after your baking soda has expired, there are additional applications for it. Have a look at what baking soda may do after it is no longer used for baking:

To remove old tape residue, make a paste out of baking soda and water. The paste will wipe off with a towel once you apply it into the tape residue.

Cockroach control: Baking soda is poisonous to roaches, so combine it with sugar in a dish. The sugar attracts the roaches, but the baking soda kills them.

Absorb Moisture and Odors: Keeping an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator, laundry room, or pantry closet can absorb smells and moisture, keeping these spaces fresh and smelling wonderful.

Clean Your Drains: By combining baking soda and vinegar and pouring it down the drain, you can avoid blockages in your sink or shower.

Wash Your Hands: Using baking soda and warm water to wash your hands can clean them and eliminate any scents.

Remove Mold and Mildew: If you have books or other goods that have been moldy due to humidity, a sprinkle of baking soda will remove the mildew and keep the materials dry.

Cleaning the Grill: Baking soda will aid in the removal of any debris left behind after cooking. Sprinkle it directly on the problem area, let it overnight, then clean it with a scrub brush and warm water the following day.