Baking soda is a staple in various kitchens and households as it’s used for cleaning and is added to some recipes as well. For the most part, it’s used in powdered form, but many people wonder if they can boil baking soda.
In case you have a similar concern, we have the answers for you! Plus, we’ve mentioned other unique ways you can use baking soda.
Can You Boil Baking Soda?
Baking soda is basically sodium bicarbonate, which is also known as bicarbonate of soda. When it’s heated, it loses CO2, and CO2 results in bubbling. This bubbling creates a channel, which leads to a light and fluffy texture of baked goods.
- Boiling Baking Soda for Digestive Issues
As far as boiling the baking soda is concerned, you can use it in boiling water. For instance, 1/4th teaspoon of baking soda can be boiled in one glass of water, which can be used for calming digestive issues.
This is because it is an alkaline substance that provides temporary relief from stomach issues, particularly indigestion.
- Boiling Baking Soda to Make a Mouth Wash
In addition to this, the same mixture can be used as a mouthwash, and it will actually help clear the bad odors from your mouth. To illustrate, you can take a sip, swish your mouth with it, and spit it out. This is because baking soda kills the bacteria in the mouth.
Gargle a solution of water and baking soda in the mouth for 30 seconds. This process can be repeated after every few days to help with halitosis and other oral health problems.
- Boiling Baking Soda With Eggs
On top of everything, many people put baking soda in a pan full of water while boiling eggs. This trick is used for making the egg-boiling process quicker. It also sterilizes the water that your eggs are in and cleans the outer shell of the eggs.
- Boiling Baking Soda with Vinegar
In simpler words, it’s possible to boil baking soda with water, and it can be used for various purposes. On the other hand, some people boil baking soda with vinegar, and it’s usually done to create sodium acetate, along with CO2.
For the most part, baking soda is dissolved in water, but the minimum temperature should be 64-degrees Fahrenheit for proper solubility.
Additional Uses Of Baking Soda
We have mentioned that you can use the boiled baking soda for gargling to reduce smelly breath, calm indigestion issues, and for boiling eggs quicker. However, there are various other uses of baking soda. In this section you’ll find out how versatile baking soda truly is.
- Cleaning Tiles and Countertops
If you don’t enjoy using harmful chemicals to clean your tiles then a solution of baking soda and vinegar is the best natural alternative. This solution can be used for cleaning tiles and countertops in the kitchen to bring back their shine.
The best thing about baking soda is that it eliminates the need for scratching. So it won’t ruin the surface of your tiles or countertops when you clean them with baking soda.
- Removes Mold
Baking soda has a mild pH balance of 8.1 and is a healthier way of clearing mold from your home. This is especially true if you have small children and pets. What’s more, baking soda also deodorizes so it removes the musty smell of mold from floors and walls.
Mix baking soda in a pot of boiling water and vinegar and use the solution to clean mold from:
- Walls
- Carpets
- Windows
- Tiles
- Paving outside your home
- Ceilings
The baking soda can also prevent the growth of mold spores around the home. Use the solution to disinfect all areas of your house that has mold growth.
- Cleaning Freezers and Refrigerators
The baking soda can be utilized for cleaning the internal parts of the freezer, refrigerator, and microwave oven. Since baking soda, water and vinegar are natural cleaning aids there are no risks of the solution contaminating your food inside the fridge.
For the best results, remove all the contents of your fridge and deep freeze. Then pour clean water into a bucket and add a half cup of baking soda and a half cup of white vinegar. Dip a clean cloth into the solution, wring it out and use it to wipe away sticky messes and dirt from your fridge.
The solution will leave your fridge smelling fresh. But if you want extra freshness, cut a lemon in half and leave it in your fridge draw for a few days.
- Cleaning and Shining Copper and Stainless Steel
Baking soda is a suitable choice for cleaning and shining the copper and stainless steel cookware in your kitchen. The advantage is that there will be minimal scrubbing which reduces the time it takes to clean and shine your cookware.
Mix lemon juice and baking soda into a sudsy mixture which is an ammonia based cleaner. Apply the mixture to a copper or stainless steel pot or pan and then buff the cookware gently with a cloth.
Rinse the mixture off with warm water. Repeat the process until all grime is removed from your cookware.
- Clean Baking Stones
Baking stones are used to make breads, pizzas and croissants. These stones can be made from ceramic, salt and natural stone. But when you use chemical based cleaners to wash baking stones it may not rinse off properly from the surface. The taste of the cleaner can then transfer to your baked goods.
To prevent that from happening, baking soda is an apt choice for deep-cleaning baking stones to ensure seamless cleaning and a hygienic experience. It also prevents any unwanted flavors or contaminants from transferring to your baked foods.
- Removing Grease from Cabinets and Stoves
If you leave grease too long on top of counters and stoves it can solidify and become extremely difficult to remove. You also don’t want to use chemical based cleaners because they’re not healthy to use in the kitchen.
As an alternative to chemical based cleaners, baking soda can be used for cleaning the grease buildup on kitchen cabinets and stoves. Moreover, it is suitable for removing stains, mold and harmful bacteria from cutting boards.
- Deodorize Carpets
Is your carpet smelling a bit musty? There could be mold growth within the fibers of your carpet causing it to smell bad. Before you vacuum your carpet sprinkle dry baking soda over your flooring. Leave it to sit for about 10 minutes.
The baking soda will pull all moisture and bacteria from the carpet. Then simply use your vacuum cleaner to remove the debris from your carpet.
Health Benefits of Baking Soda
If you don’t have medication in your house then baking soda is an excellent alternative for mild ailments. Here are some ways you can use baking soda to help relieve your discomfort.
- Pesticide Remover
Your fruit and vegetables may be coated in a harmful pesticide. If you’re concerned about dirt or chemicals on your produce you can soak them in a natural solution of warm water and baking soda. Soak your produce for at least 15 minutes before cutting your food.
Cleaning your fruits and vegetables with baking soda means you don’t need to remove the peel from your produce. This means you’ll get all the fiber and nutrients you need from your fruits and veggies.
- Treat Heartburn
Heartburn can be painful because acid rises in your throat and causes pain in your chest. It can be caused from eating spicey foods or drinking carbonated drinks. You can neutralize stomach acid by consuming a bit of baking soda with water.
However, it should be noted that you must consume baking soda in moderation. Overuse could lead to metabolic alkalosis.
- May Relieve Itchy Skin
Excessive itchy skin can be extremely frustrating and can be caused by a number of factors such as:
- Allergies
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Dry skin
- Dermatitis
- Insect bites
- Sunburn
If you’re suffering from itchy skin you can relieve the problem using baking soda. The powder works best if you add it to your bath water. Add at least one to two cups of baking soda to luke warm water. You can lay in the bath for about 30 minutes.
It’s recommended that you don’t use any soaps. You can also apply baking soda to the affected area by creating a paste. Add two tablespoons of baking soda to a cup and add two drops of water.
Mix the solution until a paste forms. Apply the paste to the itchy area and leave it on for as long as possible. You can then rinse the paste off with warm water.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, baking soda is 100% safe to boil in a pot. It won’t over flow and it adds minerals to your water. There are also other unique ways to use baking soda. Use this guide if you need a natural ingredient to clean your home or even to disinfect surfaces.