Searching for the best baking soda might feel like a silly task. After all, it's the same molecular composition every time; it doesn't spoil and can be used for countless purposes. But baked goods are only the beginning when considering the virtues of baking soda. As a carpet freshener, laundry brightener, and indigestion aid, it does it all. We put together a list of standout NaHCO₃ options, so check it out below and pick the right one for your household.
Arm & Hammer baking soda
Staff pick
Arm & Hammer's baking soda is ubiquitous in grocery stores across the country and has been a household staple since 1846. As always, it's 100-percent pure sodium bicarbonate and nothing else. This 4-pound box holds enough baking soda to clear your drains, deodorize shoes, bake sweet or savory quick bread and cookies, absorb foul smells in your fridge, and soothe pesky bouts of heartburn.
Earthborn Elements baking soda
Never run out
While it's just as useful for the average person, this pick is geared toward those requiring baking soda in bulk at a fair price. Earthborn Elements offers their aluminum-free sodium bicarbonate in a somewhat coarser grind than regular baking soda. Incidentally, this makes it ideal for making homemade bath bombs. Earthborn Elements sells this gallon tub of baking soda alone and in a bundle including citric acid and cornstarch—the building blocks of bath bombs.
Bob's Red Mill pure baking soda
Certified Kosher
Bob's Red Mill is known for its top-quality specialty flours. However, they make other baking ingredients held to the same exacting standards. Their two-pack of pure baking soda is certified as GF and Kosher, and most importantly, is aluminum-free. Consumers can feel confident and safe while settling stomachs, baking delicious treats, or any other situation where soda consumption is indicated.
Milliard baking soda
Makes it last longer
Baking soda does more than make cookies or cakes rise. It's also an excellent laundry booster and carpet cleaner, for instance. Milliard's 5-pound bag of sodium bicarbonate holds enough to last a long time, even with heavy use. For laundry, add a tablespoon to your detergent per load to deodorize and whiten whites. Carpet care is more manageable, too; sprinkle the baking soda onto it, wait, then vacuum it up to deodorize.
Clabber Girl baking soda
Sprinkle, shake, pour
Clabber Girl's baking soda has been a kitchen staple for generations, providing reliable results bake after bake. The 12-ounce container might be the smallest on our list, but it's meant to fit in your pantry or on cabinet shelves. Boxes of baking soda can't be resealed, so finding a can of it instead is far more convenient. Clabber Girl redesigned the lid to add an airtight seal as well, which many brands still lack.
Bottom line
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Ultimately, baking soda is a multi-purpose product, so any sort you choose should do the job. Arm & Hammer is a classic, tried and true brand trusted by generations, so its place at the top of our list is an earned one. The 4-pound size might feel excessive, especially if you're not a baker. When you realize how many things you can use baking soda for, it'll pay for itself in no time.
Bob's Red Mill is committed to products that are safe to consume and of the highest quality. Their baking soda is the best choice if you're affected by Celiac disease or cook for those needing gluten-free ingredients. It's a two-pack as well, so you'll always have backup baking soda.