Clean Your Produce
Drop your fruits and veggies in a bowl with 2 cups of water and a teaspoon of baking soda, and it’ll clean off those pesticides way better than just rinsing them. You can also scrub them with a damp sponge if you prefer.
Clean Rugs And Carpets
Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet to lift stains and freshen up your rugs. For best results, let it sit overnight before vacuuming, and if the stain is stubborn, just reapply it a couple of times. Pour hot water over it to help it work even better, and your carpet will look brand new without spending much at all.
Mouthwash
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t shake bad breath, baking soda might be worth a shot. It has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, and all you need to do is mix a half-teaspoon of it with warm water and use it like a mouthwash to hit the spots your toothbrush can’t reach.
Deodorant
Just mix some baking soda with water and rub it under your arms. It keeps body odor away without any chemicals.
Air Freshener
Baking soda is a much safer bet than most commercial air fresheners, which just cover up bad smells without actually getting rid of them. On top of that, you never really know what chemicals are in those bottles, while baking soda actually interacts with odors instead of just masking them.
Whiter And Brighter Clothing
Toss a cup of baking soda in with your regular detergent and your clothes will come out cleaner and brighter. Baking soda is an alkali, basically a soluble salt, and it works by reacting with the acids in stains to break them down and make them easier to wash out.
Bathroom Cleaner
Bathroom cleaning can be a real pain, especially when bathtub marks just won’t come off no matter what you do. Baking soda is a cheap option that actually works well since it whitens and disinfects at the same time, so you can use it on tiles, toilets, and pretty much anything else in the bathroom. Just mix it up, rub it on the surface, and wipe it off after 20 minutes.
Polishing Silverware
Mix baking soda with water and let the chemical reaction do the work on those tarnish marks. Silverware gets dull over time, but a little cleaning goes a long way and the results are pretty satisfying.
Spa Treatment
Throw an ounce of baking soda into a hot bath and you’ve got yourself a cheap, easy way to unwind without spending much or even leaving the house. If work stress is getting to you but a real getaway isn’t in the budget, your own bathroom can do the job just fine.
Disinfect Toothbrush
Most people don’t really think about cleaning their toothbrush, but with cold and flu season here, it’s worth doing. The thing goes in your mouth every day, so keeping it clean makes sense. Just mix water, vinegar, and baking soda and let your toothbrush soak in it for 30 minutes to kill off the bacteria.
Treating Bug Bites
Mix a little baking soda with water and apply it to the bite. It helps calm the redness, stinging, and itching, just don’t use it on your skin every day.
Burnt Pot
You’ve burnt the bottom of your favorite pot and tried everything to clean it with no luck. Before you toss it, try this: boil some water with baking soda and pour it over the burnt areas.
Cleaning Shoes
Just put 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a sock, tie it off, and leave it sitting in your shoe. That’s really all it takes to get rid of the smell.
Heartburn
Acid reflux, also known as heartburn, is a burning sensation that travels from your stomach up through your esophagus to your throat. It can be really painful, and common triggers include overeating, stress, spicy foods, and certain fruits. Baking soda can actually help by neutralizing stomach acid, so drinking some should give you relief pretty quickly.
Cancer Treatments
Baking soda can actually help chemotherapy work better. Chemo is a common cancer treatment that slows down cancer cell growth, and baking soda helps by making the environment around tumors less acidic, which gives the treatment a better chance to do its job.
Fluffy Omelet
If you’re not a big egg fan and worry an omelet won’t keep you full, try adding half a teaspoon of baking soda to your 3 eggs. It creates carbon dioxide bubbles that make the omelet lighter, tastier, and looking a lot fuller.
Cleaning Drains
Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain first, then add baking soda and vinegar. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes and your clog should be gone, whether it’s in the kitchen or bathroom.
Garbage Disposal Odors
Run hot water in the garbage disposal for about a minute, then turn it on for a couple of seconds and pour in a quarter cup of baking soda down the drain. Wait 10 minutes, pour in a cup of vinegar (you should see bubbles form), then run some water and your kitchen will smell fresh again.
Whiten Your Teeth
A lot of tea and coffee lovers already know that drinking too much of the stuff can stain your teeth. Some people would rather spend a big chunk of their paycheck on whitening treatments and dental products than cut back on their favorite hot drinks. But here’s a simple fix: mix a quarter of a teaspoon of baking soda with water and use it when you brush. That’s really all it takes to keep your teeth looking clean and healthy.
Sore Throat
If you get sore throats or strep throat a lot, you already know how miserable it can be. Instead of loading up on antibiotics, try gargling with baking soda three times a day for a faster, healthier fix.
Whiten Yellow Nails
If you’re someone who leaves nail polish on forever and then picks it off, only to end up with yellow nails, here’s an easy fix. Just mix some baking soda with a little peroxide, scrub your nails with it, and they’ll be back to normal in no time.
Lighten Dark Underarms
Dark underarms can be embarrassing, especially when summer hits. Mix some baking soda with water in a bowl, apply it to the area, and massage it in for a minute. Let it sit for up to 30 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. Do this two or three times a week for the best results.
Exercise Performace
Baking soda is actually really useful for athletes too. It helps delay fatigue during intense exercise, which means they can keep performing at their best for longer during high-intensity workouts.
Chronic Kidney Disease
People with chronic kidney disease slowly lose kidney function over time, which is a big deal since healthy kidneys filter out waste and extra fluid from your blood. The good news is that taking baking soda supplements can actually help slow the disease down.
Kill Weeds
Sprinkle baking soda in the cracks of your driveway and sidewalk and you’ll stop weeds from growing there. Keep doing it and you won’t have to pull them out anymore.
Clean The Microwave
Rinse everything off with warm water and your microwave will look and smell like new with no chemical residue. For the inside and outside surfaces, just take a clean damp sponge, sprinkle some baking soda on it, and gently rub it around.
Melt Ice On Driveway
If you live somewhere with brutal winters, you already know the struggle of dealing with an icy driveway. Next time you run out of road salt, just sprinkle some baking soda on it instead. It’s not as powerful as salt, but it still works.
Cure Dandruff
Skip your shampoo for a couple of weeks and try this instead: grab a handful of baking soda, massage it into your wet scalp in the shower, rinse it out well, and your dandruff should be gone.
Clean Your Hairbrush
Drop your comb or hairbrush in some warm water with a teaspoon of baking soda and it’ll look brand new again.
Make Your Grill Sparkle
When summer rolls around, there’s nothing better than firing up the grill for a backyard barbecue. After sitting unused all winter, your grill needs a good deep clean before it’s ready to go. Just dampen a brush, sprinkle some baking soda on it, scrub the grate, and rinse it off.
Make Your Floors Shine
Mix 100 grams of baking soda into a bucket of warm water, mop your floors with it, then rinse. That’s really all it takes to bring back the shine on wood or tile floors that have dulled over time.
Appliances Like New
After a lot of use, appliances like your coffeemaker or dishwasher can get pretty grimy. Just add a scoop of baking soda and run an empty cycle to clean them out.
Litter Box
Calling all cat owners: just sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of the litter box before you add the litter on top. It’s a simple trick that helps cut down on that smell spreading through your whole house.
Exfoliate
Spa nights are great, but it’s fun to switch things up sometimes. Rinse your skin with warm water first, then mix one part water with three parts baking soda to make a paste. Gently rub it in with your fingertips using small circular motions to exfoliate.
Hair Treatment
Mix a little baking soda into your conditioner, work it through your hair, and that’s it. It helps keep your hair strong and cuts down on split ends.
Trash Bin Miracle
Chances are you’ve opened your trash can at some point and been hit with a terrible smell coming from the bottom. A simple fix is to sprinkle a little baking soda in the bottom of the bin or bag to help cut down on the odor.
Rain Repellent
Grab a damp cloth, sprinkle some baking soda on it, and wipe down your windshield. It helps repel rain, and you’ll definitely notice the difference when you’re out driving in it. Bad wipers already make rainy drives rough, but a foggy or water-streaked windshield on top of that can make things genuinely dangerous.
Chicken Pox Cure
Just stir half a tablespoon of baking soda into a glass of water, then use a soft washcloth to apply it to the affected areas and let it dry completely. If you’ve ever had it, you know how miserable the itching can be, and this can actually help.
Clean Food Containers
Between packed lunches, soups, and pasta sauces, food containers get stained and gross fast. Just sprinkle some baking soda on a clean sponge, give them a good scrub, and rinse them off to get them looking good again.
Clean Your Sponges
If your sponge is dirty, cleaning your dishes with it is pointless. Make sure you’re always using one that’s in good condition, and if it’s seen better days, soak it overnight in warm water with baking soda, then give it a good rinse in the morning.
Pet Bed Odors
Just sprinkle some baking soda on your dog or cat’s bed if it’s starting to smell, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up and it’ll smell fresh again.
Canker Sores
Canker sores are super common and they hurt, but there’s an easy fix. Rinse with a baking soda mouthwash twice a day until it clears up and you’ll get real relief.
Calluses
Calluses aren’t usually a big deal health-wise, but they can hurt when pressure is put on them, like when you’re walking. Recent studies show that soaking them in a baking soda bath can soften them up, clear away any scabbing, and relieve the discomfort.
Oil Or Grease Fire
Baking soda is actually used in some fire extinguishers, which means it can work on small grease and oil fires in a pinch. It reacts with heat to produce carbon dioxide, which cuts off the fire’s oxygen supply and puts it out. Just don’t count on it for bigger fires since they pull in too much oxygen and cancel out that effect. When in doubt, call for help.
Diaper Rash
Most parents hate seeing their kid in any kind of pain, and diaper rash is something that’s hard to avoid sometimes. The good news is you don’t need expensive creams to fix it. Just add a little baking soda to your baby’s bathwater and let them soak for a bit, and they’ll feel better fast.
Clean Walls
If your little one has gone full artist mode and covered the walls in crayon, don’t panic. Just sprinkle some baking soda on a damp cloth and rub it lightly on the wall, then wipe it down with a clean dry cloth and the marks should come right off.
Cloth Diapers
If you use cloth diapers, you know how much of a hassle it can be to get them properly clean. Try dissolving half a cup of baking soda in 2 quarts of warm water, soaking the diapers in it, then throwing them in the wash. It really helps keep them in good shape.
Coat Closet Cleanliness
Pop an open box of baking soda on a shelf in your coat closet to keep things smelling fresh and stop odors from building up.
Keep Flowers Fresh
Getting flowers from someone you care about is such a nice feeling, but it’s a bummer when they start wilting fast. Try adding one teaspoon of baking soda to the water in your vase to keep them fresh longer.
Shower Curtain
Shower curtains are pretty cheap, but don’t just buy a new one every time yours gets grimy. All you really need to clean it is some laundry detergent, a cup of baking soda, ten drops of tea tree oil to kill mold, and a few light-colored towels. It’s worth skipping the replacement too because most curtains are made of PVC, which is a harmful material that releases fumes, and that’s the last thing you want to be breathing in during a hot steamy shower.
Oil Spills
Scrape off any excess grease first, then sprinkle on some baking soda and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to soak up the oil. Vacuum it off and wash the stained fabric in cold water. Baking soda works great on oil stains whether they’re on a shirt, carpet, or anywhere else around the house.
Cloth Furniture
Fabric furniture picks up weird smells over time. Just sprinkle baking soda on your chairs and couches, let it sit overnight, then vacuum it up the next day.
Vacuum Cleaners
Mix some baking soda with water and use it to wash the hose, canister, and filter. Just make sure everything is fully rinsed and dried before you put it back together and use it again.
Diamond Rings
Just drop your jewelry into hot water mixed with 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Over time, natural body oils and sweat build up on diamonds and dull their shine because of the acidity, but this simple soak brings everything back without needing to buy toxic jewelry cleaner.
Dry Shampoo
Just sprinkle a little baking soda on your hairbrush, run it through your hair, and let it sit for five minutes. Then use your fingers to shake out your hair and massage your scalp to get rid of any residue. Most dry shampoos are basically just baking soda anyway, so you can save some money and make your own. It removes oil and adds volume too.
Fabric Softener
Just toss half a cup of baking soda into the rinse cycle and it’ll soften your clothes just as well, without all the harsh chemicals that come with regular fabric softeners.
Clean Fridge
Fridges can get pretty smelly over time, but baking soda does a great job soaking up strong food odors. Just put some in a small open pot and leave it in the fridge, give it a stir every now and then to keep it working, and swap it out for a fresh batch every few weeks. For a deeper clean, wipe down the walls and shelves with a damp cloth dipped in baking soda, then go over everything again with a cloth rinsed in warm water.
Remove Mold And Mildew
Dampen a sponge, sprinkle some baking soda on it, and scrub the mold right off. This works great for stubborn mildew stains on shower curtains and bathroom tiles.
Tile Grout
Dirty tile grout is such an eyesore, but it’s an easy fix. Just mix equal parts water and baking soda into a paste, spread it on the grout, and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then grab a toothbrush, give it a gentle scrub, and wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
Clean Children’s Toys
Plush toys get dirty fast. To freshen them up, put them in a large plastic bag with 100 grams of baking soda, tie the top tight, then take it outside and give it a good shake. This pulls out dust and gets rid of bad smells. Once you take the toys out, give them a gentle vacuum.
Clean A Mattress
Sprinkle baking soda over your mattress and let it sit for anywhere from 15 minutes to overnight, then vacuum it all up. It pulls out dirt, dust, and odors the same way it does when you use it on carpets.
Patio Furniture
If your patio furniture has been sitting in the shed all winter and smells musty, just sprinkle some baking soda on it, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it off gently. For a quick wipe down, sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth and go over the furniture that way too.
Washing Machine
If your clothes are coming out of the wash smelling funky, your washing machine probably needs a good cleaning. This is especially true for front-loading models, which need to be cleaned more often. Just run a large hot cycle with no clothes, and throw in some vinegar and baking soda to knock out any buildup and mold.
Treat Athlete’s Foot
Just mix a tablespoon of baking soda into some lukewarm water to make a paste, rub it on the infected area between your toes or on your feet, then rinse it off and dry well. Throw some baby powder on afterward to keep moisture away. Studies have backed this up too, with medical sources confirming that baking soda has real antifungal properties that can help with skin and nail infections.
Soften Skin
Mix some baking soda with warm water, apply it to your skin, and rinse it off. That’s really all it takes to soften your skin and bring it back to life.
Jellyfish Sting
If you get stung by a jellyfish, try putting baking soda on the affected area to help relieve the pain.
Relieve Bee-stings
When you hear that annoying buzz and try to run, somehow those little things still manage to get you. If that happens, baking soda can actually help take the edge off a bee sting.
Unblock Stuffy Nose
If you’ve got a stubborn stuffy nose that won’t quit, try this. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water, then use a nasal irrigation kit or bulb syringe to squirt it into your nose. Just keep one nostril closed while you do the other one and let it drain out.
Modeling Clay
If you like arts and crafts and don’t mind getting messy, this one’s for you. Mix cornstarch and baking soda in a saucepan, gradually add water, and stir over medium heat for about 4 minutes. It thickens up fast and ends up feeling just like playdough.
Clean Ashtrays
If you’re a regular smoker, your ashtrays can get pretty gross. Cigarette ash can leave stains, but baking soda can clean those right up. You can also pour a layer of baking soda in the ashtray instead of sand to absorb the smell, which is great for any non-smoking guests. A good scrub with water and baking soda will also bring the shine back.
Flowerbeds
Rabbits can be super frustrating after you’ve put so much work into your garden. Just sprinkle some baking soda on your flowerbeds and it’ll keep them away from your veggies.
Sports Drink
Just mix salt, boiled water, and Kool-Aid together and you’ve got your own homemade sports drink. It’s way cheaper than buying the store-bought stuff, so it’s definitely worth trying.
Remove Fishy Smell
Fish is a great source of protein and tastes amazing, but that strong fishy smell can be a real turnoff. The good news is you can get rid of it pretty easily just by soaking the raw fish in a baking soda solution for up to an hour in the fridge.
UTI Treatment
Cranberry juice and antibiotics are the go-to treatments for UTIs, but popping antibiotics all the time isn’t good for your body. A lot of people don’t know you can mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda into 32 ounces of water and drink it to help treat the infection.
Skunk Smell
Just toss some baking soda into your bath and the smell will start to fade. Skunk odors are stubborn and cling to your skin, but this is a quick and easy way to get rid of it.
Freshly-Brewed Tea
On a hot summer day, a big pitcher of freshly brewed iced tea is a great way to finish off a nice family lunch. Try adding a pinch of baking soda to cut the bitterness and make it taste a lot smoother.
Bad Spray Tan
If you’ve ever gotten a spray tan before a vacation or wedding and it turned out looking terrible, don’t panic. Just mix baking soda and lemon juice, apply it to your skin, and your color will be back to normal in no time.
Clean Curling Iron
Mix baking soda with warm water to make a paste and use it to clean all the buildup off your curling iron. No need to buy a new one just because it’s gotten grimy from regular use.
Freshen Luggage
To keep it looking and smelling fresh, sprinkle some baking soda on it and vacuum it up a few hours later.