What is Baking Soda? Where to buy it? 22 Uses of Baking Soda and How to Use It
Baking soda is a common ingredient often used in cooking or even beauty treatments. So what is baking soda? And what other miraculous uses does this ingredient have? The answer will be revealed right here.
1. What is baking soda?
What is baking soda?
Baking soda is a white, solid substance, but we usually see it in the form of a fine, odorless powder with a salty taste, a soluble component of many natural mineral waters.
Baking soda, also commonly known as “baking soda” or “sodium bicarbonate,” is used in medicine, beauty, disinfection, etc.
Where to buy baking soda
To buy good quality, reputable, and safe baking soda, you should choose to buy it at places like: pharmacies, supermarkets, baking supply stores, or online e-commerce sites!
Some places that sell baking soda include: An Khang Pharmacy, Bach Hoa XANH, etc.
2. The miraculous uses of baking soda
Baking soda has many applications in daily life, and here are some surprising uses of baking soda that you should know.
Teeth whitening
Mix baking soda with sea salt and put it in a jar for use. Wet your index finger and dip it into the salt mixture, rubbing it all over your gums and teeth. Start on the upper jaw outside and then inside.
Do the same with the lower jaw gums and teeth. Spit out the excess salt. After 15 minutes, rinse your mouth thoroughly. This salt mixture is very effective in killing bacteria in the mouth and gradually cleaning tartar.
Treating sunburn and softening skin
If you get sunburned, add ½ cup of baking soda to your bath and soak in it. When you get out of the tub, let your body air dry; do not use a towel to wipe off the salt clinging to your body to increase the effectiveness.
Hair washing
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of your regular shampoo and wash your hair with this mixture. After using, you can feel your hair shiny and softer than usual daily shampooing.
Use only about 2 times per month and do not overuse.
Exfoliating
Mix three parts baking soda with one part water to exfoliate the face and body. This is a natural, inexpensive, and gentle method that can be used daily.
Deodorizing body odor: Armpits or feet
Put 3 teaspoons of baking soda in a small bowl, add 3 to 5 drops of your favorite scented essential oil, such as rose essential oil, lavender essential oil, etc. Use your hand or a soft-bristled brush to gently rub the area of skin that needs deodorizing, such as the armpits.
Or you can mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a basin of warm water and soak your feet for 15 minutes before going to bed. You will eliminate foot odor caused by wearing shoes and socks while softening the skin of your feet, even for people with chronic cracked heels.
Antibacterial hand washing
If you don’t like antibacterial soap, you can take 3 parts baking soda, 1 part water, mix them together, and wash your hands to effectively remove odors and dirt from your hands.
Cleaning makeup brushes
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water, soak makeup brushes or brushes in it for a few minutes, and rinse and dry.
Baking soda helps to almost completely remove cosmetics residue on any makeup tools.
Treating heartburn and indigestion
Baking soda is an effective way to relieve heartburn and indigestion. Mix half a tablespoon of baking soda with about 250ml of water and drink it 1 hour after eating.
Enhancing exercise performance
Mix half a tablespoon of baking soda with about 250ml of water and drink it 1 hour before exercising.
Tenderizing meat
Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the surface of the meat, leave it for 30 minutes, then rinse the meat with water and cook as usual. Meat marinated with a layer of baking soda before being put in the refrigerator will be tender and not hard.
Helps stews, braises, and simmered dishes cook faster
During cooking, add 1/3 baking soda to the pot; the above dishes will cook faster, helping you save time and fuel. You can also apply this method when cooking rice.
Makes fried batter crispy
For frying with batter, add a little baking soda; the fried batter will be crispier and fluffier.
Keeps vegetables green
Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to the water used to boil vegetables to make them look greener.
Softens clothes, washes children’s clothes
Children, especially newborns, have extremely sensitive skin that will almost certainly be allergic when wearing clothes washed with regular detergent or laundry detergent. However, if you don’t use them, it’s very difficult to completely remove stains and bacteria from clothes.
An effective solution is to use baking soda instead of your current detergent. Add ½ cup of baking soda to your laundry; clothes will be soft, white, and fresh.
Insect bites
Add a little water to baking soda and apply it to mosquito or ant bites. You can also apply dry baking soda powder to the skin. This helps reduce itching.
Cleaning children’s toys
Soak toys in a solution of 1 liter of water and 4 tablespoons of baking soda. Toys will be clean and safe for your baby.
Absorbs moisture in wardrobes
Placing a box of baking soda on the clothing shelf will help absorb moisture and mildew, keeping clothes smelling fresh.
Extinguishing small fires
In case of a small fire caused by grease in the kitchen, sprinkle baking soda on it to extinguish the flames.
Cleaning the washing machine
Sprinkle a layer of baking soda powder around the areas to be cleaned. Add a little to the washing drum and wait 15 minutes. Turn on the soak wash mode and let the machine run automatically.
Washing fruits and vegetables
Baking soda is a safe way to wash away dirt clinging to fruits and vegetables. Sprinkle baking soda on a clean sponge and use it to scrub the fruit, then rinse with water.
Cleaning the bathroom
Use 1 tablespoon of baking soda combined with 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to create a powerful cleaning solution for cleaning the bathroom without causing unpleasant odors like other cleaning chemicals.
Cleaning the kitchen
Sprinkle baking soda powder directly onto the surface to be cleaned, leave for 15 minutes, then use a sponge or damp cloth and wipe gently.
Are you surprised by the uses of baking soda? Indeed, if you know how to use kitchen items correctly, including baking soda, it will be extremely useful for your life.
3. How to store baking soda
To best preserve baking soda, first, you need to carefully check the expiration date printed on the box’s packaging. Baking soda usually has a quite long shelf life, however, to ensure quality, you should only use it within 30 days of opening the box!
How to store baking soda:
- After each use, store and tightly close the lid of the box, then store the baking soda in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or humid places and excessive exposure to air.
- If you buy a large box and only use a little each time, divide it into several small jars, tightly closing the lids for convenient use later.
Also, each time you use it, check if the baking soda powder is still usable by:
Put a little baking soda powder in a bowl, then add a few drops of vinegar or lemon juice. If you see the mixture fizz, your baking soda is still good to use. If you don’t see any fizz, the baking soda has spoiled and should not be used.
Above is information about the concept of what baking soda is and the miraculous uses of baking soda. Hopefully, the information above is useful to dear readers!
