We love being able to clean with ingredients right out of the pantry. For one, it's easier than running to the store to buy expensive specialty cleaners. Also, we know it's going to be safe if there are, say, kids or pets around. And baking soda is one of our favorite cleaning agents out there.

We wrote about it a lot this month (to go with all of your holiday baking), and now we've wrapped it up for you in a nice little package. Here's everything you should know and how to use a box of baking soda.

What makes baking soda so special that we can eat it, but also use it to fight rust and tarnish? The answer lies in its unique chemical properties.

Curious how you can best put it to use in the kitchen? Here are the 10 things you should be cleaning with baking soda.

Because a list of 10 (above) wasn't comprehensive enough.

It doesn't even have to be a fresh box if you want to clean with baking soda. Just because it's expired doesn't mean it's of no use to you.

Here's a hint: It's not in the kitchen.

We experiment with lots (and lots) of garlic.

Spoiler alert: Baking soda does make a difference in the fridge. And it's odor-absorbing properties can help de-stink your carpet, too.

You're going to want to read this before the next snowfall comes.

As great as baking soda is, it can't be used to clean all the things.

One is a base and one is an acid. Do they cancel each other out? We spoke to experts to find out.