How To Use Up Old Baking Powder And Baking Soda
Do you still have some old baking powder and baking soda cluttering up your cabinets? Before you toss those items, it’s worth a try to find out if there are any uses for them.
We’ve come up with lots of different ways that you can use up leftover baking powder and baking soda. Whether you’re looking for tips on how to bake, clean, or get rid of bad smells around the house, check these out!
Uses For Old Baking Powder
Since baking powder is basically just baking soda with some extra leavening and reacting agents, such as cream of tartar, in it for cooking, when it “expires” or goes past its ‘Use By’ date and thus you no longer want to use it for baking, you can still use it as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).
Find out more about the difference between baking powder and baking soda here.
So, think of all the non-cooking things you might normally do with baking soda:
It can be used as a cleaning agent for scrubbing stains in sinks and on countertops.
It is good for animal urine on carpets or timber flooring – it will neutralize the acidity to minimize damage as well as absorb some of the urine and the smell.
Due to its high pH it can be used to raise the total alkalinity in a spa or hot tub.
It can still be effective to absorb refrigerator odors.
Sprinkle it between your toes to absorb moisture and prevent Tinea/Athlete’s Foot.
Use it for acne: Mix with warm water to make a paste then apply to spots and pimples. Let sit for 10 minutes or so then rinse and pat dry.
Use it for baking! I know, we’ve already established that your baking powder has passed its best before date but, at a pinch, if you need it for a recipe, it should still be safe to use.
The only ‘danger’ that might come from baking with expired baking powder is that your baked goods might not rise properly. So, you could be left with some flat cupcakes, cookies, or cakes.
Using Expired Baking Soda
You can still use a can of baking soda that has expired, but the flavor may be a little off. Generally speaking, it’s fine to use for general baking and cake making, but not for things like pancakes or waffles.
So if you have some expired baking soda, let’s take a look at some of the things you could do to use it up.
Mash potatoes
When mashing potatoes, you can sprinkle a little bit of baking soda over the top to help break them down. Make sure to stir it in gently so it doesn’t all end up at the bottom.
Use in place of powdered sugar for dusting cookies and cakes
If you want the sparkle of powdered sugar without wasting too much on messy hands, you can replace your sugar with some expired baking soda instead.
Make a paste for cleaning pots and pans
You can clean stuck-on food with baking soda and water, or even use it as a homemade scouring powder for tough stains on your pots. This is also a great way to soak your hardboard cutting boards.
Treat an infected pimples and reduce redness
If you have a pimple that just won’t go away, try putting a little baking soda on it for 8 to 10 minutes before you shower, or you could mix it with a bit of water and use it as an aftershave for irritated skin.
Use when shampooing hair to reduce dandruff
A mixture of salt and baking soda can help get rid of dandruff even if you are very sensitive to some shampoos.
Reduce Swelling
Baking soda can be used to reduce swelling from bruises and bee stings or even bug bites by mixing equal amounts in the bathtub.
Cleaning silver
Mix half a cup of baking soda with 1 cup of boiling water and use it to clean your silverware.
Grill cleaner
Take some baking soda and rub it onto your barbecue or grill plates with a soft brush.
Coffee maker cleaner
If you have an automatic coffee machine, keep some baking soda in its base for better flavor.
Clean kitchen sink drains
Use 1-2 cups of concentrated white vinegar and 2 cups of baking soda to reduce odors and clog your drain.
Get rid of garlic or onion smells on your hands
Use 1 part baking soda for 2 parts water. Rub the solution over your hands and rinse. You may want to use a scrub brush with this one, because it will get pretty foamy!
Make a less abrasive toothpaste
Give your toothpaste a little boost by adding some baking soda to it, which will also help kill bacteria in your mouth and keep plaque from building up on your teeth.
Repel slugs and snails
Add a teaspoon of baking soda to a spray bottle of water and spritz around garden plants you’d rather not be feasted upon by creepy crawlers.
Freshen Your Shoes With Baking Soda
You can freshen up your shoes with just two ingredients: a box of baking soda and a box of cornstarch. Mix them in a large bag or container and add your shoes. Let them sit overnight and then hang the shoes up to dry. The cornstarch will help absorb odors and the baking soda will kill fungus that is causing the smell.
Clean shower curtains
If the bottom of your shower curtain is starting to look a little dirty and discolored, combine your expired baking soda with water and soak the bottom of the shower curtain overnight. Rinse and dry the next day for clean, fresh shower curtains.
General household cleaner
Sprinkle some of your expired baking soda on a damp sponge or cleaning cloth and go wild cleaning every part of the house – bathrooms, kitchen, laundry – they’ll all come up a treat!
So, just because your baking powder or baking soda has expired, don’t just throw it away. Put it to use with any or all of these great ideas for using expired baking soda/powder around the house.
