Recipe updated: March 29th, 2024
Until recently, I had no idea how magical the uses of baking soda can be, apart from using it to bake some cookies. 🙂 Baking soda certainly has many, many uses. I will list just a few of my favorite baking soda remedies in this post.
My favorite baking soda use thus far that I have discovered is how well baking soda cleans. From dirty dishes to rusty pots and pans, including the ugly soap scum on your shower pan and glass door, baking soda will clean it up beautifully. It works like magic, so let’s clean it up!
All you have to do is make a little paste out of the baking soda by adding it to some water. Then you use a small cleaning brush or sponge of any type and scrub away.
🛒 Ingredients
❔ What is Baking Soda?
Baking soda has the IUPAC name of sodium bicarbonate. It is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO₃. It has a really soft texture and is used as a leavening agent in baked goods. However, baking soda has a ton of other uses that not everybody knows about. I am going to try and list as many as I can below.
🚽 Kitchen and Bathroom Baking Soda Uses
Clean Pots and Pans with Baking Soda
Make a baking soda paste to clean rust, soap scum, and any burnt grease on frying pans or other dishes.
Reduce Odors with Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda on your clothes in the washing machine, then let the clothes soak before washing. This will help reduce any odors you may have on your clothes.
You can also sprinkle some baking soda inside your shoes and let it soak for a while. When you are ready to wear your shoes again, simply dump out the baking soda and the odor will go with it!
Unclog a Drain with Baking Soda
Pour 1 cup of baking soda into the clogged drain followed by 1 cup of hot vinegar.
Deodorize your Refrigerator with Baking Soda
Place an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator. It will soak up all the funky smells.
Clean the Toilet with Baking Soda
Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the toilet bowl. Swirl around and then scrub.
Clean the Inside of the Dishwasher
Simply sprinkle some baking soda on the inside of the dishwasher before running it through a cycle.
🧹 Around the House Baking Soda Uses
Freshen up your Rugs with Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda on your rugs or carpet and wait at least 15 minutes. Then vacuum the rugs. Your rugs and carpet will smell fresh.
Deodorize Garbage Cans with Baking Soda
Just like the refrigerator, you can do the same for the garbage cans. Place an open box of baking soda in your garbage can and it will soak up those stinky smells.
Clean Crayons from Walls with Baking Soda
Create a water and baking soda paste, then gently rub the spot where the crayon mark is on your wall. This will rub away the crayon marks. After that, wipe the wall off with a clean damp cloth.
Keep Flowers Fresh with Baking Soda
Add about 1 teaspoon of baking soda together with the water in the flower vase. This will help keep your flowers fresher much longer.
🪥 Personal Hygiene and Health Baking Soda Uses
Use as a Hand and Foot Softener
Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water to form a paste. Apply this paste to your skin while rubbing in a circular motion. Do this for about 10 minutes and then rinse off with water.
Relieve Itchy Skin
To help relieve itchy skin, add 1-2 cups of baking soda to a warm bath. Make sure to fully soak the area on your body that is itchy. If you want to target a specific area that is not too big, you can make a baking soda paste by adding a little bit of water to it and then applying on the itchy area.
Polish your Teeth with Baking Soda
Add a little baking soda on top of your current toothpaste to give your teeth a cleaning boost. Baking soda can be abrasive to your enamel, so it is wise to do this sparingly.
Relieve Diaper Rash with Baking Soda
I did this for my baby when she had a terrible case of diaper rash. It worked wonders! If your baby is small enough, it works best to fill the kitchen sink with some warm water, then add 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda to the water. Let your baby soak in the water for at least 15 minutes. It provides instant relief!
Mouthwash
Use baking soda as a mouthwash by adding 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to 2 cups of warm water and swish.
Deodorant
Try patting some baking soda onto your armpits. The baking soda is an odor neutralizer, so it will help eliminate the smell from your armpit.
Soothe Bug Bites
On fresh bug bites, simply apply a water and baking soda paste to the affected area 3 times a day.
📝 Final Thoughts
Baking soda is pretty amazing. I like to keep a few boxes lying around the house in case I ever need it for any one of these remedies listed above. The best part about baking soda is how cheap it is and is available at all the local grocery stores.
⭐ You Might Also Like
You may also like to try this homemade cleaner with vinegar.
Ex-Division I basketball player who has always loved eating food, but has not always loved cooking it. After the birth of her daughters, she now loves cooking new meals and recipes for her family to try and enjoy. She loves to stay active, work on DIY projects, spend time with family, and all things photography. More by Tammy ➜
