Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is an alkali and reacts with a variety of acidic substances, including most liquids. The reaction produces carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide). Baking soda is often added to baked goods and is used for cleaning and scientific experimentation as it fizzes and gasses when it reacts with acidic conditions.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using acids
Step 1. Add vinegar to the baking soda
Vinegar contains acid, while baking soda is alkaline. Thus, if you mix them, a reaction will occur. Vinegar is perhaps the most commonly used to activate baking soda.
- The reaction turns the baking soda into an effective cleaning agent. For example, you can use vinegar and baking soda to clean your kitchen sink.
- Take ¼ cup (65 grams) of baking soda and add ¼ cup (60 milliliters) warm water and 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of vinegar to see if the baking soda is good. If the baking soda starts to foam, then it can be used.
- The mixture of vinegar and baking soda (i.e. acid and alkali) should sizzle and foam a lot. The chemical reaction is due to the fact that vinegar contains acetic acid.
Step 2. Activate the baking soda with lemon
Lemon or lemon juice will react with the baking soda and activate it.
- Add a teaspoon (7 grams) of baking soda to a glass (240 milliliters) of mineral or other water and squeeze out half a lemon. Stir well before drinking. You can also add peppermint leaves or a pinch of salt.
- This solution is good for your health. Some people believe that it can help to cope with acidosis. It helps cleanse the body of toxins and burn fat. In addition, this solution is good for the kidneys.
- The mixture of lemon juice and baking soda also helps improve digestion and prevent acid reflux. It detoxifies the liver and supplies certain nutrients, such as vitamin C. However, be sure to check with your doctor before taking this mixture or other natural remedies.
Step 3. Add other juices to the baking soda
While lemon juice is most commonly used for this purpose, other juices will work as well.
- Try adding orange juice to your baking soda - in this case, the mixture will also begin to foam due to the release of carbon dioxide. You can also activate baking soda with fruit purees. Orange juice contains more acid than most other fruit juices.
- Grape juice, mixtures of vegetable and fruit juices, and limeade also react with baking soda. Ketchup can also react with baking soda because it contains vinegar.
- The sour reaction is accompanied by a hiss, indicating that the soda has retained its properties and is good for consumption.
Method 2 of 3: Baking
Step 1. Put the baking soda in the batter
Baking soda is commonly used to loosen baked goods when the recipe contains acidic ingredients such as butter, vinegar, sour cream, yogurt, lemon or orange juice, cocoa, chocolate, honey, maple syrup, fruit, or brown sugar.
- When reacting with the above acidic substances, sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide are released. Due to the carbon dioxide, the dough rises. Use baking soda as directed. Don't substitute baking powder for baking soda as they are different substances.
- When baking soda reacts with sour cream, yogurt, or molasses, the dough rises. Add one teaspoon (7 grams) of baking soda or proceed as directed in the recipe.
- The baking soda will immediately react with the acidic ingredients and the dough will expand in the oven. This will raise the dough and give the biscuits, breads, cakes or muffins more fluff.
Step 2. Add molasses to the baking soda
Molasses reacts with baking soda. In addition, some believe that a mixture of molasses and baking soda can help cure cancer, although this should be consulted with your doctor.
- Add 1 teaspoon (5 ml) molasses and 1 teaspoon (7 grams) of baking soda to one cup (240 ml) of water. Make sure the water is at room temperature.
- Dark maple syrup or manuka honey can be used in place of molasses.
- Be sure to try other treatments. Don't assume that a mixture of molasses and baking soda is helpful just because it helped someone.
Step 3. Add water to the baking soda
Baking soda dissolves in water. A baking soda solution in water can be used for a variety of purposes.
- Baking soda solution helps with chronic heartburn and acid reflux by neutralizing stomach acid. Just dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water.
- A baking soda solution can also be used as a mild antiseptic. However, keep in mind that baking soda is high in sodium, which can cause side effects such as stomach cramps.
- Talk to your doctor if you have high blood pressure, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Method 3 of 3: How to use activated soda
Step 1. Use baking soda as a medicine
Baking soda can help relieve pain from insect bites and poison ivy.
- Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the bite. Baking soda will help relieve mild irritation and itching. Plus, baking soda helps with sunburn. Fill your bath with lukewarm water and add ½ cup (130 grams) of baking soda.
- Using baking soda can neutralize stomach acid and thus relieve indigestion, heartburn, and stomach ulcer pain. Use baking soda as a temporary remedy and be sure to check with your doctor.
- Dissolve ½ teaspoon (3.5 grams) of baking soda in ½ cup (120 milliliters) of water and drink the solution every two hours. Do not exceed 1½ (7.5 milliliters) teaspoon of solution at a time, or 3½ (17.5 milliliters) daily if you are over 50 years old.
Step 2. Use baking soda for skin care
Soda cleanses not only kitchen utensils, but also the skin!
- For a relaxing bath, add baking soda and apple cider vinegar to the water.
- Fill your bath with warm water, add 3 tablespoons (60 grams) of baking soda and soak your feet in it to exfoliate your skin.
- Clean your hands with a mixture of three parts baking soda and one part water. This natural remedy removes dirt from your skin.
Step 3. Use baking soda for dental care
Baking soda can help clean your teeth and freshen your breath.
- To make natural toothpaste, mix 1 teaspoon (7 grams) of baking soda with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide activates baking soda.
- Baking soda is found in some toothpastes. Several studies have found that these pastes are better at removing plaque because baking soda is a light abrasive. Mix 6 parts baking soda with 1 part sea salt and whisk with a blender for 30 seconds to create a tooth and gum paste.
- You can also whiten your teeth with baking soda. Crush one strawberry and add ½ teaspoon (3.5 grams) of baking soda. Apply the resulting paste to your teeth and wait for five minutes. Do this for no longer than one week, or you may damage your tooth enamel.
Step 4. Use baking soda as a cosmetic
Baking soda can be used as a natural deodorant, and when combined with shampoo, it adds shine to hair.
- To make a natural deodorant, mix 4 tablespoons (80 grams) of baking soda with 10 drops of essential oil. You can also make a scrub by mixing 4 tablespoons (80 grams) of baking soda with 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of olive oil.
- Baking soda chemically reacts with acidic sweat and sebum to neutralize odors.
- You can also add baking soda to your shampoo to add shine to your hair. A dime-sized pinch of baking soda is enough for one wash.
Step 5. Use vinegar and baking soda to clean sinks and taps
A mixture of vinegar and baking soda is great for cleaning a variety of surfaces.
- Wet the sink. Sprinkle baking soda over the sink and scrub the surface. Then line the sink with paper towels soaked in vinegar and let sit for 20 minutes.
- You can also clean water taps and kitchen utensils in the same way.
- To make your own toilet and bathroom cleaner, mix 1⅔ cup (430 grams) baking soda, ½ cup (120 milliliters) liquid soap, ½ cup (120 milliliters) water, and 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) white vinegar.
Step 6. Use vinegar and baking soda to clean the pipes
Use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to clean clogged water pipes.
- Pour a pot of boiling water into the drain pipe, then add ½ cup (130 grams) of baking soda and wait a little.
- Then pour 1 cup (240 ml) vinegar and 1 cup (240 ml) very hot water into the drain pipe and plug the drain. Wait 5-10 minutes. The chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda will clear the drain of the debris that clogs it. Then pour another pot of hot water into the drain hole.
- To make a hard water cleaning solution, take 1 cup (240 milliliters) of vinegar and 1 tablespoon (20 grams) of baking soda and combine them in a saucepan. When the mixture stops foaming, pour it into a bottle.
Step 7. Make a rocket from the bottle
Be very careful when doing this! To make a rocket out of a bottle, you will need vinegar and baking soda.
- Take a piece of paper and sprinkle baking soda on it. Roll the paper tightly and wrap the ends. Pour vinegar into an empty plastic bottle and dip the paper and baking soda into it. After that, screw the cap back on the bottle, shake it and place it on the ground.
- The chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar will cause the bottle to fly upward. During the reaction, the soda turns into water and carbon dioxide, that is, gas is released.
- Make a volcano out of baking soda: shovel the snow into a small hill, squeeze out a small depression in the center and pour baking soda into it, and then pour vinegar. Watch how long the volcano will erupt.
Advice
- Many people put an open pack of baking soda in the refrigerator to get rid of the smell. Many odors are acidic, and baking soda reacts with acids and neutralizes them, so you should regularly change the pack of soda in the refrigerator.
- Keep baking soda in a cool, dry place. In such conditions, soda can be stored for as long as you like.