You can put baking soda in the toilet tank to clean it.
Pour a cup of baking soda into the toilet tank and then wait 30 minutes to allow the baking soda enough time to absorb any odors and to allow it to break down any fungi and stains.
Then after 30 minutes or so take a soft bristle brush or abrasive sponge and scrub the inside of the toilet tank down.
Then flush the toilet.
You can also use baking soda to clean the toilet bowl as well and even use some vinegar for extra cleaning power.
Vinegar can also be added with the baking soda in the toilet tank as well.
When using baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors you should change the baking soda in your refrigerator every 3 months.
However if the baking soda begins to absorb too many foul odors the baking soda may need to be changed more often in the refrigerator.
It's best to date the baking soda when putting it in the refrigerator to help you remember when to replace it.
The baking soda should give the refrigerator a fresher smell within one to three days.
Baking soda takes 24 hours to absorb most odors although for stronger odors it can take a few days or longer for the baking soda to absorb the odor.
If using for baking you should throw out baking soda after it's expiration date or when it becomes stale as after it's expiration date or when it becomes stale the baking soda loses it's potency and power and the baked goods won't turn out as good and it won't work as good as fresh baking soda.
Baking soda does expire although it won't harm you if you do use it for baking with or cooking with or for use for whitening teeth etc.
However baking soda loses it's effectiveness in baking when it is expired so the baked goods won't turn out as good.
When unopened baking soda is shelf stable until it's best by date on the box which is around 2 years.
After you open the box of baking soda it should be used within 6 months as it starts to lose it's power and potency although it remains safe to use.
You can use baking powder in baking if you don't have baking soda.
When using baking powder in place of baking soda when you don't have baking soda you just use 3 times as much of baking powder to replace baking soda with.
For example if a recipe calls for one teaspoon of baking soda, you instead would use three teaspoons of baking powder.
And since baking powder contains a little salt you should also halve the salt the recipe calls for.
Baking soda and baking powder are not the same although they can be used in place of one another in recipes.
Sodium bicarbonate and bicarbonate of soda are other names for baking soda.
Baking powder is made of baking soda plus cream of tartar and cornstarch.
Just remember that baking soda is stronger than baking powder, so you'll want to use a quarter of the amount of baking soda as powder.
So if the recipe calls for 1 tsp. baking powder, use ΒΌ tsp. baking soda.