Many uses of Baking Soda

There are hundreds of uses for the everyday household product known as Baking Soda. Baking soda is what we use in baking cookies, cakes, and other food dishes, but did you know it has so many more uses?  Let's perform a test of what Baking soda does when mixed with water; it turns into a bubbling foam once the fine powder hits that water. The chemical reaction is caused by the acid in the power mixing with the water that creates carbon dioxide.  Here is a list I've put together over the years for the many uses of this cheap household product.

Personal Hygiene

Teeth - mix small amount with water to make a paste, then dip toothbrush into it paste and brush teeth, rinse thoroughly.  This helps to whiten your teeth. Note: only do this once a week as it can deteriorate the enamel on your teeth.  Rinse mouth immediately with mouthwash.

Deodorant - run out of deodorant no need to worry, grab your baking soda and a powder puff, and apply to underarms. You'll be fine until you can get to the store.

Facial and Body Scrub - need to exfoliate your skin, try a paste of baking soda and warm water. Apply liberally over your skin, let dry for 5 minutes and remove with warm wash cloth. Your skin will be smooth as a baby's bottom.

Bath additive - you've decided to take a long hot bath, but you've run out of those fancy bath oils; try a cup and a half of baking soda in your water instead. You won't have those fancy bubbles, but you will have smother skin when you get out; instead of that prune look.

Hand odors - handling fish or any other strong odor item and you can't get the smell off your hands, even after you've washed them a dozen times; try rubbing them with baking soda. 

Medicinal

Upset Stomach - I can remember as a kid when I had an upset stomach, or some type of food didn't sit right with me, the doctor would say - bicarbonate of soda drink to help settle that queasy feeling.  My Mother would mix up one tablespoon of baking soda and an 8 ounce glass of water, and have me drink it up. It would do one of two things: I'd eventually burp and feel better, or whatever was in my stomach came up. Either way, I'd feel much better after drinking it. 

Antacid - 1/2 teaspoon and half a glass of water helps to tamp down those nasty stomach acids after eating spicy foods

Insect Bites, Sunburn, poison ivy, rashes - mix up a paste of baking soda and water and apply over bite, relieves itch and helps to draw out any poisons.

Babies

Diaper Rash - place two tablespoons in bathwater to help the little tike's diaper rash

Feeding mess - there is always a nasty odor on babies clothing after you've feed them; try this little trick, moisten a cloth and sprinkle some baking soda on it, then wipe down his shirt to remove the odor

Around the Home

Flowers - want to keep your flowers fresher longer; add a teaspoon of baking soda into the water   

Shoe odor - sprinkle some baking soda inside those running shoes, or work boots to absorb those odors fast

Cat's Litter Box Odor - sprinkle some baking soda over the litter box and get rid of those nasty odors

Rugs/Vacuum - sprinkle some baking soda on your rugs to remove those nasty odors they sometimes get in between shampooing. This will also help to remove the odor in your vacuum at the same time. 

Kitchen

Stove/Oven Fires - Did something boil over or spill over on the stove or in the 

oven, throw some baking soda on top of it to squash out any possible odors or potential fires.  Works every time.

Fridge odors - place a full box of baking soda in your fridge and freezer to absorb odors. Replace every three months.

Kitchen Sink - the old container from your fridge or freeze should be thrown down your sink and allow your tap to run for a few minutes; helps to keep your pipes cleared out and odors out of your nose.

Dishrags or sponges - freshen up your cleaning cloths and sponges by soaking them in a bath of baking soda and hot water

Pots and Pans - best way to clean off those unwanted grease stains that build up over time, hot water and baking soda. Turn it into a paste and let sit for about 20 minutes, then use the back of your sponge to scrub away those stains. (Might need to do this multiple times, depending on the buildup)

Sinks, Showers, Plastic or Porcelain tubs - spray down the surface with hot water, apply a paste to your sponge and have at it. Better than buying cleaning products.

Dishwasher - sprinkle some baking soda into your dishwasher to help the sprinkling system to better scrub your dishes.

Dishwashing in sink - add baking soda to your sponge and dish soap to help scrub those dishes with ease.

Bathroom

Toilet - you can also throw the old container from fridge or freezer into your toilet bowl, swish around for a second and leave it for 20 minutes to help get rid of that water ring. This also freshens and keeps the pipes clear for future flushing

Garden or Household Pests

Rodent problem in your garden - sprinkle some baking soda on top of your garden, around the base of your plants to help prevent those little critters from snacking on your plants. 

Insect or roaches - sprinkle baking soda along the edge of the room, along window sills, under sinks, and you'll begin to see less of these nasty creatures. 

There are so many uses, we don't have time to list them all. If you have a use for baking soda that we didn't mention here, send us a message below.