Baking soda is a true household wonder, hiding in plain sight in many kitchen cupboards. Most people know it as an ingredient for baked goods, but its uses go far beyond that. In this article, I’ll share 21 surprising ways you can use baking soda in your home.
All-Purpose Cleaner
Mix baking soda with water to make a paste. This paste cleans many surfaces in your home. It works well on countertops, sinks, and bathtubs. The gentle abrasion removes dirt and grime without scratching. You can add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant smell.
Carpet Freshener
Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet before vacuuming. Let it sit for 15 minutes first. The baking soda absorbs bad smells from the carpet fibers. It also helps loosen dirt, making it easier to vacuum up. Your carpets will smell fresh and clean after this treatment.
Drain Cleaner
Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar. The mixture will fizz and bubble. This reaction helps break down clogs and remove bad smells. Let it work for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water. This method is safer for pipes than harsh chemical cleaners.
Oven Cleaner
Make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Spread it all over the inside of your oven, avoiding the heating elements. Leave it overnight to work on tough, baked-on grime. The next day, wipe it all away with a damp cloth. Your oven will be clean without using strong chemicals.
Stainless Steel Polisher
Sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth. Rub it gently on stainless steel appliances in a circular motion. This removes fingerprints and food splatters. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. Your stainless steel will shine like new.
Fruit and Vegetable Wash
Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a bowl of water. Soak fruits and vegetables in this mixture for a few minutes. The baking soda helps remove dirt, wax, and some pesticides from the surface. Rinse well with clean water before eating. This is a safe, natural way to clean your produce.
Kitty Litter Deodorizer
Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda in the bottom of the litter box before adding litter. This helps absorb odors at the source. You can also mix a little baking soda into the litter itself. This keeps the litter box smelling fresher between cleanings.
Shoe Deodorizer
Sprinkle baking soda inside smelly shoes. Let it sit overnight to absorb bad odors. In the morning, shake out the excess baking soda. Your shoes will smell much better. This works well for gym shoes and work boots.
Natural Deodorant
Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to make a paste. Apply this under your arms as a natural deodorant. The baking soda helps neutralize body odors, making it a good option for people who want to avoid chemicals in regular deodorants.
Heartburn Relief
Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Drink this to help relieve heartburn. The baking soda neutralizes stomach acid. This can provide quick relief from acid reflux. But don’t use this remedy too often without talking to a doctor.
Teeth Whitener
Make a paste with baking soda and a little water. Brush your teeth with this paste once a week. The mild abrasive action helps remove stains from teeth. This can make your teeth look whiter over time. But don’t use it too often, as it can wear down tooth enamel.
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Sunburn Soother
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to lukewarm bathwater. Soak in this bath to soothe sunburned skin. The baking soda helps relieve pain and itching. It can also help prevent peeling. This is a gentle, natural way to care for sunburned skin.
Garbage Can Deodorizer
Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your garbage can. This helps absorb bad smells before they start. You can also sprinkle some on top of the garbage. This keeps your kitchen smelling fresher between trash days.
Fire Extinguisher
Keep a box of baking soda near your stove. If a small grease fire starts, you can throw baking soda on it to put it out. The baking soda releases carbon dioxide, which smothers the fire. This only works for small fires. For big fires, always use a proper fire extinguisher and call for help.
Plant Fungicide
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda in a gallon of water. Spray this on plants to help prevent fungal diseases. This works well for plants like roses and tomatoes. The baking soda changes the pH on the leaf surface, making it harder for fungi to grow.
Silverware Cleaner
Line a pan with aluminum foil. Fill it with hot water and add 1/4 cup each of baking soda and salt. Put your tarnished silver in this solution. The chemical reaction will remove the tarnish quickly. Rinse and dry your silver. It will look shiny and new.
Sweaty Gym Clothes Freshener
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry load. This helps remove sweat smells from gym clothes. The baking soda neutralizes odors in the fabric, so your workout gear will smell fresh and clean after washing.
Crayon Mark Remover
Make a paste with baking soda and water. Gently rub this on crayon marks on walls. The mild abrasion helps remove the crayon without damaging the paint. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. This works better than many commercial cleaners.
Weed Killer
Sprinkle baking soda on weeds growing in cracks in your driveway or sidewalk. The baking soda raises the pH, making it hard for weeds to survive. This is a safe, natural way to control weeds without chemicals. But be careful not to get it on plants you want to keep.
Windshield De-icer
Mix equal parts baking soda and water. Spray this on your car’s windshield before a freeze is expected. This helps prevent ice from forming. In the morning, any ice that did form will be easier to remove. This can save you time on cold winter mornings.
Hair Clarifier
Mix a small amount of baking soda with your regular shampoo and wash your hair as usual. The baking soda helps remove buildup from hair products, leaving your hair feeling extra clean and shiny. But don’t do this too often, as it can dry out your hair.
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