What is baking soda?
Baking soda is an alkaline white powder that can be found in almost every modern kitchen. Baking soda's rise is in popularity is largely credited to one big brand. In 1846, Dr. Austin Church and his brother-in-law John Dwight, joined forces to distribute baking soda.
The product, which was actually made in Dwight’s kitchen, and ended up being called Arm & Hammer Church & Co’s bicarbonate of soda. By 1860, Arm & Hammer wanted to show the world just how versatile the ingredient was. As a result they began to distribute mini-cookbooks, which included recipes for bread, cakes, cookies, puddings, and so much more — They believed in their product so much they shared some of their very own "secret" family recipes.
By the 1920s, Arm & Hammer (A&H) was advertised in women’s magazines in an effort to spread its popularity. According to A&H, by 1972 people everywhere were stashing a box of baking soda in their refrigerators to keep things fresh. When used in baking, baking soda acts as a chemical leavener, which produces carbon dioxide in reaction to an acid (like vinegar), which then produces bubbles that help the cake or cookie rise to tender, moist, and fluffy perfection.
Since then baking soda has been used in a variety of ways outside of the realm of cooking and baking.
25 Household uses for Baking Soda
Remove scuff marks on floors by scrubbing with a paste of baking soda and water.
Sprinkle baking soda inside of luggage, tote bags, and trunks to freshen; let sit a few days, then vacuum.
Place a bowl of baking soda in the fireplace to keep it odor-free. NOTE: remove bowl before burning!
Clean and sanitize children's toys with a mixture of baking soda and warm water
Scrub grout with a mixture of baking soda and water; allow to sit, then rinse.
Apply a paste of baking soda and warm water to tough kitchen and bathroom stains. Let soak, scrub, and rinse.
Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge to wipe away wall marks, such as scratches, pencil and crayon.
Sprinkle baking soda on grease stains on kitchen and garage floors; scrub, then rinse.
Soak dishrags and sponges in a solution of baking soda and water to eliminate odor.
Soothe a cold sore by dabbing it with baking soda.
Freshens carpets, upholstered furniture, and mattresses by sprinkling with baking soda; allow to sit for a few hours, then vacuum.
Soak combs and brushes (your pet's too!) in a solution of water and baking soda to clean and freshen.
Whiten laundry by adding 1/2 cup baking soda to your laundry along with detergent.
Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda for every three eggs for fluffier scrambled eggs and omelets! (This one is new to me! I can't wait to try this)
Clean off a build-up of styling products on curling irons and similar appliances with a paste of baking soda and water.
Occasionally add a pinch of baking soda to your shampoo to remove hair product build up.
Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge to remove melted plastic from toaster or other appliances.
After a long day, soak your tired feet in a solution of baking soda and warm water.
Keep an open box of baking soda under sinks and in the basement to repel ants and other insects!
Whiten teeth with a paste of baking soda and water; let sit a few minutes, then rinse.
Exfoliate your skin with a mixture of 50/50 baking soda and water
Add baking soda to a cool bath to soothe sunburn, poison ivy, sumac, measles, chicken pox, and hives.
Sprinkle baking soda in shoes, boots, and slippers to keep fresh.
Use a toothbrush dipped in baking soda to clean and freshen retainers and dentures.
Run baking soda through coffee makers to freshen pots and carafes.
Is there a way you use baking soda around your household that wasn't mentioned above? Please share in the comments below!
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