BUCKHORN CLIFFS

Compounds and Cleaning · Compound · Sodium bicarbonate, the multitool

Baking Soda

The most versatile powder in the book: antacid, cleaner, deodorizer, leavening, fire suppressant, and the raw material for stronger washing soda.

INDEFINITEMULTI-USEWorks without power

Quick facts

pH in water
~8, mild base
Form
Fine white powder
Hazard class
Low
Shelf life
Indefinite
Storage
Sealed HDPE or glass
What to avoid
Moisture, strong acids

See everything baking soda must never touch

What it's good for

Health & first aid

Antacid, soaks, relief

Cleaning

Scrub and deodorize

Kitchen

Leavening, cuts acidity

Water & more

Taste, fire suppressant

Handling and safety

Needs an acid to rise

As leavening it only bubbles when paired with an acid like vinegar.

Test it for freshness

Add a splash of vinegar; vigorous fizzing means it is still good.

Make washing soda

Bake it at 400°F to make a stronger cleaner (Recipe 9.21).

Smothers small grease fires

Tossed on a small grease or electrical fire, it releases CO2 that helps smother the flames.

Eight jobs it does

  • Smother grease and electrical fires
  • Toothpaste and tooth scrub
  • Mild abrasive cleaner
  • Deodorizer for fridge and cellar
  • Antacid for heartburn
  • Water softener for wash
  • Bug bite and sting paste
  • Battery terminal cleaner

If it goes bad Absorbs moisture and odor. Loses leavening. Still cleans and deodorizes.

What I buy

My pick: baking soda on Amazon.

Recipes for baking soda

Questions this answers

Tap a question for the short answer.

What is baking soda used for?

Baking soda works as an antacid for heartburn, leavening, a mild abrasive cleaner, a fridge and cellar deodorizer, toothpaste, a water softener for wash, a bug bite and sting paste, and a battery terminal cleaner. It also smothers small grease and electrical fires, and baking it at 400°F turns it into stronger washing soda.

How long does baking soda last in storage?

Baking soda has an indefinite shelf life. Over time it can absorb moisture and odors and lose its leavening power, but it still cleans and deodorizes. To test freshness, add a splash of vinegar: vigorous fizzing means it is still good.

How do I store baking soda?

Store baking soda in sealed HDPE or glass, away from moisture and strong acids. It soaks up moisture and odors if left open, which costs it its leavening power, though it will still clean and deodorize.

Keep going

Read nextPurify water with Lugol's iodine (2%)When filters break and boiling isn't possible, a few drops of Lugol's solution can make questionable water safe to drink.Water · Formula

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Compounds and Cleaning · CompoundSource: Prepper's Chemical Survival Guide, Chapter 9, p. 40 · Last reviewed 2026-09-18

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