Wondering how long baking soda lasts? In this post, you’ll learn how to tell if baking soda is still good, how to test its potency, and how to properly store it — whether you’re using it for baking, cleaning, or keeping your fridge fresh. As a professional recipe developer, I’ve tested this ingredient in countless recipes, and I’m sharing everything you need to know to make sure your baking soda works when you need it most.
Table of Contents
- Why You Should Trust These Baking Soda Tips
- How Long Does Baking Soda Last?
- How to Test If Baking Soda Is Still Good (My Foolproof Method)
- Can You Freeze Baking Soda?
- Common Questions About Baking Soda Shelf Life
- How to Store Baking Soda (Like a Pro)
- Other Helpful Kitchen Guides
- Final Thoughts
- Connect With Me
Spoiler alert: Yes, baking soda can expire, and it can stop working long before the printed date if not stored properly. But don’t worry — I’ll walk you through my expert-tested tips for extending its shelf life.
Why You Should Trust These Baking Soda Tips
As a lifestyle and home entertaining expert who develops recipes for food brands and real-life busy home cooks, I test ingredients like baking soda all the time. And when your job involves ensuring muffins rise, cookies puff, and kitchen hacks actually work — you quickly learn how long ingredients really last.
Baking soda is one of those pantry staples that most of us buy, use once or twice, and forget in the back of the cabinet. But whether you’re using it to bake banana bread, clean your sink, or deodorize the fridge, its freshness matters more than you think.
How Long Does Baking Soda Last?
Here’s a quick breakdown by use:
| Use | How Long It Lasts |
|---|---|
| Unopened Baking Soda | Up to 2 years from the manufacture date |
| Opened Baking Soda (for baking) | Best used within 6 months |
| Baking Soda in the Fridge or Freezer | Effective for 3 months as a deodorizer |
| Baking Soda for Cleaning | Can last up to 1 year if stored properly |
| Homemade Cleaning Paste (with water) | Use within 1–2 weeks |
Expert Tip
After 6 months, baking soda can lose its effectiveness as a leavening agent. If you’re baking, always test it first (more on that below).
How to Test If Baking Soda Is Still Good (My Foolproof Method)
Here’s how I test baking soda before using it in any baking recipe:
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to a small bowl.
- Pour in 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
- If it fizzes vigorously, it’s fresh and ready to use.
- If there’s little to no reaction, it’s time to replace it.
This quick test has saved me from many a baking flop — including the time I tried to make fluffy pancakes on a Sunday morning and ended up with flat, rubbery disks. Lesson learned!
Can You Freeze Baking Soda?
Not exactly. Baking soda can be stored in the freezer to deodorize odors (think: the open box in the back of your freezer), but freezing it won’t extend its baking effectiveness. Moisture in the freezer can actually cause clumping, so always store it in an airtight container.
If you’re using it for cleaning or deodorizing, it can last 3+ months in the freezer. But for cooking or baking, stick to room temperature, cool, dry storage.
Common Questions About Baking Soda Shelf Life
How long does baking soda last for cooking?
Once opened, it’s best to use baking soda within 6 months for baking recipes. Always test it if unsure!
How long does baking soda last in the freezer (as a deodorizer)?
Up to 3 months, but it won’t work for baking once it’s absorbed moisture and odors.
How long does baking soda last unopened?
Stored in a cool, dry place, unopened baking soda can last up to 2 years.
How long does baking soda last for cleaning?
As a cleaning agent, baking soda can last up to 1 year, especially if stored in an airtight container.
How long does baking soda last after opening?
For baking purposes, try to use it within 6 months. For cleaning, it’s generally good for up to a year.
Can you freeze cooked gnocchi with sauce?
(Snuck this in for anyone multitasking recipes today — yes, you can! But make sure it’s fully cooled and stored in an airtight container.)
Freeze baking soda before or after opening?
You can keep an open box in the freezer for odor control, but it’s not necessary to freeze baking soda for baking. In fact, moisture from the freezer can affect potency.
Can you freeze baking soda soup?
While you can freeze soup made with baking soda, the baking soda may slightly affect the texture after thawing — use sparingly in recipes meant to be frozen.
How to Store Baking Soda (Like a Pro)
- Keep it in an airtight container — moisture is baking soda’s enemy.
- Store in a cool, dark pantry — heat and humidity shorten its lifespan.
- If you use it for cleaning, keep a separate container from your baking soda stash.
- Label it with the date opened so you can keep track.
Other Helpful Kitchen Guides
- How to Clean a Wooden Cutting Board
- How to Store Carrots (and Keep Fresh for Months)
- How to Roast Garlic
Final Thoughts
Baking soda may be humble, but it’s one of the hardest-working ingredients in your home. Whether you’re whipping up a batch of cookies or scrubbing the sink, freshness matters.
As someone who’s tested a lot of baking recipes (and cleaned up after even more), trust me — spending a few seconds testing your baking soda is worth the time. And if it’s past its prime? Use it for cleaning, deodorizing, or science experiments with the kids.
Looking for ways to use up that open box? Try one of my cozy baking recipes or DIY cleaning hacks next!
Connect With Me
Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes and food tips. And, join me over on Facebook where I share recipes daily!
Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
