Share
There are many cooking ingredients which have multiple uses such as herbs, oil, lemon and honey. From adding flavours to our food to being used as a remedy for illness, there are many incredible ways to make these food items as daily parts of our life. Baking soda is another such ingredient which has plenty of uses in the kitchen itself.
Also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, its usage is beyond cooking. According to Healthline, baking soda also has many health benefits. It may help in treating heartburn, sooth canker sores, relieve itchy skin and cure sunburn. Here are six reasons why baking soda in an ultimate kitchen ingredient:
Leavening Agent
The primary usage of baking soda is to act as a leavening agent. When mixed with vinegar, lemon juice or yoghurt it releases carbon dioxide gas which causes the dough to rise and expand, resulting in light, fluffy baked goods. Apart from this baking soda can also be used for making chicken skin extra crispy, and softening beans. If you add a pinch of baking soda to frying onions, it can drastically cut down the cooking time.
Fridge Odour Neutriliser
Fridge odour is the biggest problem of many households. As soon as you open the door, there is a strong foul smell that hits your nose. Even though you frequently clean it, the odour comes back after some time. So, here is an easy solution to get rid of it. All you need to do is place a cup of baking soda at the back of your fridge. This nutrilises the bad odour and makes your fridge smell fresh.
Air Fershner
From leftover foods to sink drains, there can be many reasons for kitchen odours. Just like your fridge, baking soda can also nutrilise these odours and make your kitchen smell fresh. To create a homemade air freshener, add 1/3 cup of baking soda with a few drops of essential oil in a jar and cover it with paper or cloth. Then place it in your kitchen. To eliminate garbage odour, simply sprinkle a little at the bottom of the bin and it will reduce the smell by up to 70%.
Kitchen Cleaner
It is a well-known fact that baking soda is an unbeatable cleaning agent. From utensils to countertop, it is one solution to all kitchen problems. You can also clean the clogged drains and burnt pots. If you have any stubborn stain on your stove top or microwave, baking soda can clean that as well. To prepare the cleaning solution combine water and baking soda in the ratio of 1:3 and apply it directly on the stained surface. Let it sit there for a few minutes and then scrub and rinse it.
Pesticide Remover for Fruits And Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables brought from the market often have pesticides which were used in the crops to protect them from insects, germs and weeds. However, these chemicals can have harmful effects on human health. So, it is important to clean them properly and for this what can be better than baking soda. All you have to do is soak the fruits and vegetables in a solution made with baking soda and water for 12 to 15 minutes and your fresh produce is ready to cook.
Silverware Polisher
If you have any silver cutlery in your kitchen cupboard, then make it new with baking soda. All you need to do is add one tablespoon of baking soda in an aluminium baking pan and slowly pour half cup vinegar in it. Then add one cup of boiling water into the pan. Place the silverware in the solution for half a minute. For heavily tarnished cutlery, let it sit there for one minute. Finally rinse with water and your cutlery becomes new again.
