Can you use baking soda after it has been in the fridge?

In this article, we will answer the question “Can you use baking soda after it has been in the fridge?”, and how to make baking powder at home?

Can you use baking soda after it has been in the fridge?

Yes, you can use baking soda after it has been in the fridge, as long as no moisture will enter the product, thus at low moisture, the decomposition of baking soda is negligible. This only applies if it was stored correctly. To do a potency test for the refrigerated baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar to one cup of hot water. 

Then dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda in the vinegar-water mixture. If the solution bubbles, the baking soda is good to use. If not, there are plenty of household uses of baking soda.

The rate of sodium bicarbonate decomposition to sodium carbonate is dictated by the moisture sorption kinetics at given temperature and humidity conditions. For example, at room temperature and high humidity, a rapid increase in powder mass would be expected because of significant moisture gain and relatively low rate of carbon dioxide formation; however, at elevated temperature, a decrease in powder mass would be expected due to rapid formation and release of carbon dioxide with relatively low rate of moisture sorption (1).

A retrospective study reviewed medical records of 88 patients who received sodium bicarbonate during cardiac arrest and showed that 27 of 88 patients (31%) received sodium bicarbonate without arterial blood gas (ABG) data. In patients where ABG data were available, bicarbonate administration was linked to alkalemia in 16% (10 of 61) of patients (2).

Household uses of baking soda

Mouthwash 

Baking soda has antimicrobial properties that can be benefited from by using baking soda as a mouthwash. Baking soda mouthwash improves oral hygiene by increasing the ph of the saliva that keeps the bacteria at bay. In addition to the acid‑neutralizing property, sodium bicarbonate has also been reported to be bactericidal against cariogenic bacteria. Studies have compared sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate and ruled out the role of sodium ions in the bactericidal activity (3).

To make the baking soda mouthwash, mix ½ teaspoon (2 grams) of baking soda in half a glass (120 mL) of warm water.

Teeth whitener 

Bacteria have an abrasive texture and excellent antimicrobial properties. Due to which it can help de-stain your teeth by weakening the bonding between the staining molecules. Sodium bicarbonate is used in many commercial teeth‑whitening formulations as the main active ingredient with or without hydrogen peroxide. Studies have reported that baking soda‑containing teeth‑whitening systems were more effective in removing intrinsic stains also than systems that did not contain baking soda (3).

Therefore, toothpaste with added baking soda is very effective at teeth whitening and removing plaque from teeth.

Deodorant 

Sweat does not have an odor of its own. Sweat only absorbs the odor when the bacteria residing in your armpits break down your sweat into acidic waste products. 

NaHCO3 influences on bacterial biofilm by causing impediment of bacterial development, including the action against Streptococcus mutans development. The antibacterial properties of sodium bicarbonate have been known for a considerable length of time (4). 

To make a homemade deodorant using baking soda, mix some baking soda in coconut oil, shea butter, or cornstarch and apply it to your armpits.

Fridge door neutralizer 

R: A deodorizer is a cleaning product that eliminates or controls odors, either by destroying microorganisms or masking the offensive odor (5). The smell of spoiled food lingers for quite a long time even after you have cleaned up the mess. This is where baking soda comes in handy. Baking soda neutralizes the stinky odors in your fridge by eliminating the bad odor particles. 

Air freshener 

Most air fresheners simply release fragrance into the air and do not eliminate the bad odor particles. The problem remains after the air freshener wears off.

Baking soda acts as an adsorbent. Adsorption is the process of adsorption that occurs when thin layers of gas or liquid cling to the surface of solids. A common adsorptive cleaner is activated charcoal. The pieces of charcoal have many surfaces and are particularly effective in absorbing odor molecules (5).

Moreover, most of the air freshener bottles do not even have an ingredient list. Instead of using a chemical spray of the contents of which you are unaware, you can make your DIY air freshener.

To make a baking soda air freshener, grab a small jar. Add 1/3 cup (74 grams) of baking soda, and 10–15 drops of your favorite essential oils in the jar. 

Drape the jar with a piece of cloth or paper and secure it in place with a string. Place the jar in any area in your house that needs to be deodorized. 

Whitening agent for laundry 

Baking soda is an alkaline, soluble salt. Therefore, it can perform de-staining by reacting the acids in the stain when dissolved in water. This makes baking soda the ideal candidate as a laundry whitener.

An alkali is a substance that releases hydroxyl or hydroxide ions (OH-) when dissolved in water and will react with acids to form salts. Alkaline chemicals can emulsify grease and oil, neutralize acids, suspend soil and help remove microorganisms. Alkaline chemicals are used to improve the cleaning performance of many household cleaning and laundry products (5). 

To make a baking soda laundry whitener, ½ cup (110 grams) of baking soda to your regular amount of laundry detergent, and you are done. You will need less detergent if you use this DIY baking soda laundry whitener. Because baking soda softens the water. 

Kitchen cleaner 

When mixed with an acid such as lemon or lime juice, baking soda can be used as a kitchen cleaner. Mix the baking soda in lemon juice to make a thick paste and scrub the dirty kitchen areas with this paste. 

You can use this paste to clean ovens, stained coffee cups, stained marble, greased stains, kitchen tiles, clogged drains, tarnished silver, microwaves, and countertops.

Garbage odor eliminator 

Garbage odors can be very stinky when they are full of trash. The smell from the trash even spreads to your kitchen and living room which can be very unpleasant. 

Baking soda has excellent deodorizing properties that can be employed to get rid of a sticky pile of garbage. Just sprinkle the baking soda at the bottom of the garbage cans or trash cans. Then wait for baking soda to do its magic.

Carpet stain remover 

When mixed with vinegar, baking soda produces carbonic acid; a popular ingredient in most commercial cleaning products. To clean the most stubborn stains from your carpet, use a vinegar and baking soda mixture. Vinegar and baking soda can be used as alternative cleaners for stains and dirt instead of harsh chemicals (6).

Sprinkle the carpet stain with baking soda. Then spray the stained area with a mixture of vinegar water(1:1). Wait for about an hour or until the area dries. 

Scrub off the baking soda and vacuum the carpet to get rid of the baking soda particles. The stain should be removed. If not, repeat this process until you achieve the desired results.

Homemade baking powder recipe

Ingredients

  • 30 grams baking soda
  • 70 grams cream of tartar
  • 15 grams cornstarch

Instructions 

  1. In a small mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients until homogenous. 
  2. Pour the baking powder into a mason jar with a tight lid.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question “Can you use baking soda after it has been in the fridge?”, and how to make baking powder at home?

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References

1.-

Kuu, Wei-Youh, Rao Chilamkurti, and Chi Chen. Effect of relative humidity and temperature on moisture sorption and stability of sodium bicarbonate powder. Int J Pharmaceut, 1998, 166, 167-175.

2.-

Velissaris, Dimitrios, et al. Use of sodium bicarbonate in cardiac arrest: current guidelines and literature review. J clin med res, 2016, 8, 277.

3.-

Madeswaran, Sathyasree, and Sivakumar Jayachandran. Sodium bicarbonate: A review and its uses in dentistry. Ind J Dental Res, 2018, 29, 672.  

5.-

Parrott, Kathleen, Shirley Niemeyer, and Rose Marie Tondl. EC88-422 Household Cleaning and Laundry Products: Which One for the Job?. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 1988.

6.-

Chan, Kelly, et al. Bubbling Baking Soda. The Expedition, 2021, 11.