The Orange Box

How Can You Tell If Baking Soda Still Has Its Power?

Here's the easiest way to test: Spoon some baking soda into a bowl (you don't need to measure it or to add too much) and 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 baking recipes. If not, it has lost its leavening powers, and should be replaced with a new, unopened box. Keep it in a cool, dry place, like in a closed pantry, and don't wait forever to replace that one, either.

But don't toss out the old box! You can still use the soda for myriad cleaning purposes—to gently scrub kitchen and bathroom surfaces (make a paste of three parts warm water to one part baking soda) deodorize the refrigerator, and more. Just mark it clearly so you don't end up using that same refrigerator box to bake with.