Uses of Baking Soda Outside of Cooking

We all know how to use Baking Soda in cooking, but, did you know that there are many other uses of it outside of cooking? You probably also know about putting an open box of Baking Soda into your refrigerator to absorb the smells. You should replace that box every 3 months but then do you have to throw it out? What a waste, what if you could reuse it for something else? Baking Soda comes in a bag or box as a fine powder and is a chemical compound. When combined with water it produces a paste, however when it is combined with an acid such as vinegar it releases bubbles of carbon dioxide. Baking Soda is odorless and salty, alkaline taste (salt is added to the main ingredient). According to the USDA Baking Soda has no fat, calories or carbohydrates and contains sodium and water. Baking Soda is one of the most inexpensive (it is still $1 a box) and safe (is used as a “green cleaner”) tools around so add these things to your uses.

Brief History of Baking Soda

Without the added water and salt, Baking Soda’s main ingredient is nahcolite, which is part of the natural mineral natron. It is found dissolved in many mineral springs. This has been used as far back as the Egyptians who used it as soap and for cleaning purposes. History reports that baking soda has been used in many civilizations for baking bread and other foods requiring rising.

The Baking Soda that we know today started in 1846 by Dr. Austin Church and John Dwight.

By 1860 published cookbooks included Baking Soda in their recipes.

In 1918-19 during the Spanish Flu Outbreak a Baking Soda and water regiment was given to
some patients and it was found that the ones who took this regiment as a preventative either
did not contract the flu or those who did had only mild cases.

In 1924 Dr. Volney S. Cheney published his findings from this Spanish Flu Study in a booklet
“Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Medical Uses.

In 1930 Baking Soda was advertised as a “proven medical agent”.

The advertisement to keep a box of Baking Soda in your refrigerator to help with odors
came out in 1972.