How to Tell if Your Baking Soda Has Gone Bad—and Why it Matters

We've all stared down that orange box at the back of the fridge wondering whether it's still up to snuff, or wait, does baking soda go bad? Yes, this pantry powerhouse, an essential go-to for sweet and savory culinary preparations, laundry, deodorizing, and more, does lose its efficacy when it gets old. Luckily, there is an easy way to determine whether or not your baking soda needs to be replaced—and there are numerous ways to use up baking soda once it is no longer useful for cooking and baking.

What Is Baking Soda?

As its name implies, baking soda (also known as bicarbonate of soda) is used in baking recipes. It is a naturally occurring chemical compound that acts as a leavening agent, meaning it helps batters and doughs rise as they bake. Because baking soda is alkaline, it reacts with any acidic ingredient in the same recipe, like lemon juice, vinegar, or buttermilk, which creates the carbon dioxide that gives baked goods their lift. Baking soda is also the secret to the crispiest coatings for fried chicken and onion rings.

Why It's Important to Use Fresh Baking Soda

The fresher the baking soda, the more effective it is in cooking. If it's old, your baked goods won't be as light and fluffy as you would like, meaning flatter pancakes and denser cookies. Once a box of baking soda is opened, it has a shelf life of about six months to one year. If you find an unopened box, it may still be good even if it's past the expiration date (generally about 18 months from when it was packaged).

How to Tell If Baking Soda Has Gone Bad

Fresh baking soda looks much like baking soda that has lost its potency, but there is an easy way to test if your baking soda still has oomph:

1. Spoon a small amount of baking soda into a bowl (you don't need to measure it or add much).
2. Add a few drops of an acidic liquid, such as lemon juice or vinegar.

If it starts to fizz immediately and vigorously, the baking soda will still work well for recipes. If not, it has lost its leavening powers and should be replaced with a new, unopened box.

Storing Baking Soda

Keep baking soda in a cool, dry place, like in a closed pantry—and even if you are storing it correctly, don't wait forever to replace it.

Using Up Old Baking Soda

Though it is no longer useful for baking, you can still use baking soda that has gone bad for myriad cleaning purposes:

• It's a great refrigerator deodorizer.
• Use baking soda as a kitchen and bathroom surface cleaner (make a paste of three parts warm water to one part baking soda).
• Baking soda makes an effective oven cleaner.
• It also brightens laundry.

Just mark it clearly so you know it's baking soda for cleaning—and don't wind up using expired baking soda to bake with.