30 Amazing Uses of Baking Soda

By Elena from Ready Store

Sodium Bicarbonate- also known as baking soda, is one of the most versatile household products you have. From first aid to cleaning, it can be your favorite go-to product. Here are 30 great uses for that baking soda you have sitting in your pantry.

First Aid- *Note- Always use common sense when it comes to first aid. Any signs of distress or prolonged infliction should be examined by a doctor.

Mosquito bite

Insect stings- Make a paste of baking soda and water to neutralize insect venom and soothe pain/itchiness.

Heat Rash- Combine baking soda and water and spread throughout the affected area. Let sit until it dries up and can be dusted off. This should minimize rash and give relief to irritation.

Poison Ivy- Combine baking soda and vinegar to create a paste with the consistency of peanut butter. Let sit on the affected area for relief from irritation. Rinse off with cool water.

Sunburn- Add a cup of baking soda to a bathtub of cool water for sunburn relief.

Diaper Rash- Make a solution of 1 cup water and 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda. Use a clean rag, soaked in the solution to clean the diaper area. Pat area dry, leaving the powder to help absorb liquid. *Note- always check with a doctor for any infant remedy.

Cleaning

Glass top stoves- Sprinkle baking soda over stove top. Use a wet, soft scouring pad to scrub burned areas. For stubborn spots, add vinegar to the solution and let sit before scrubbing. Wipe off residue with wet towel.

Silver Cleaning- A 3:1 baking soda water ratio is a great way to clean tarnish off of your silver. Rinse with water and dry with a soft cloth immediately to prevent spots.

Clean Coffee Pots/Cups- Add 1/4 cup baking soda to 1 quart water. Let coffee pot/cup soak, scrub, then wash off with water.

Grout - Sprinkle grout with baking soda, then mix 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water and spray on top. Let stand for 5-10 minutes then scrub with a stiff brush.

Oven Cleaning- Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the oven then spray with water. Let sit overnight. Scrub in the morning and then either wipe up the baking soda or vacuum it up.

Washing Machine- 1/2 cup baking soda in addition to your normal laundry detergent is a great laundry boost.

Sports Equipment- Sprinkle baking soda in your kids' sports bags to help absorb odor. Wash goalie/football gloves with baking soda and water to help neutralize the odor.

Oil/Grease Stains- Sprinkle baking soda on your oil stains and let sit for a few minutes. Scrub the stain with a wet, hard bristled brush.

Clean Crayon Off Walls- Apply baking soda to a wet sponge to gently clean marks off of painted walls without compromising paint or leaving a residue. Rinse off with water.

Deodorize Refrigerator- Keep an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator to absorb odors. Change out baking soda every month.

Deodorize Trash Cans- Every time you change the liner, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda at the bottom of the can. This can help neutralize odors.

Deodorize Drains/Garbage Disposals- 1-2 heaping tablespoons mixed with water can help keep your drains smelling fresh and clean.

Deodorize Carpets- Sprinkle baking soda throughout your carpets once a month before you vacuum. Let the baking soda sit for about 10 minutes and then vacuum it up. The baking soda will absorb odors.

General Scrubbing- Baking soda is a safe, non-toxic, easy way to scrub dishes, pots/pans, etc. While it's great for use at home, it's also fantastic for camping and emergency situations.

Eliminate Urine Odor from Mattresses- Pour baking soda over offending spot, then spray with vinegar. Let sit for an hour and then vacuum with a wet/dry vacuum.

Prevent Ant invasion- Sprinkle baking soda around pet dishes, in the pantry, or wherever ants go. They don't like to cross baking soda.

Clean Produce - Put 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of water. Use that solution to scrub produce of pesticides and bacteria.

Personal Hygiene

Baking soda is one of those inexpensive, versatile, non-toxic, wonder products that can replace many of your expensive hygiene products.

Dandruff- Add 1 tsp to your shampoo and massage onto your scalp. Let sit for a couple minutes, then massage your head as your rinse.

Healthy hair- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda added to your shampoo can not only help with dandruff, but it can help clear product buildup in your hair.

Dry Shampoo- Sprinkle baking soda onto oily sections of your scalp, tousle, and brush out. *Note- If you have dark hair, use sparingly. It can be hard to brush all the way out.

Razor Burn- Make a paste of water and baking soda, apply it to affected area, let it dry. Wash off with warm water. This should minimize the irritation.

Skin Rejuvenation- Mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda. The baking soda will help exfoliate and cleanse while the coconut oil will moisturize.

Under-eye Bags/Circles- Seep 1 bag chamomile tea, 1 tsp baking soda in hot water. When it cools to skin temperature, soak a cotton ball/disk in the solution. Place it over your eyes for 10-15 minutes. This should help minimize the problem.

Whiten Teeth- Mix baking soda and water or hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Brush as you would regularly. *Note- while this can whiten teeth and scrub them, it does not contain fluoride and should not be used as a daily toothpaste.

Foot odor- A little bit of baking soda sprinkled in shoes helps keep foot odor away. Try making a powder with a couple drops of your favorite essential oil for fresh feet every day.

Armpit stains- Are you tired of deodorant stains on shirts? In a spray bottle put 1 part Dawn dish soap, 2 parts hydrogen peroxide, and 1 part baking soda. Spray on stains and scrub with a soft brush. Launder as usual for minimized stains.

Baking soda has almost limitless uses and should be kept in any prepared home. What are your favorite baking soda solutions?

8 years ago

Comments

Rebecca

13 years ago at 7:06 AM

I use baking soda as a shampoo (mixed with distilled or soft water, not hard water) it is great at taking oil and residue out of your hair. (And then rinse with an apple cider vinegar rinse). I also use it in my toothpaste but not just mixing it with peroxide. I use baking soda, powdered STevia, coconut oil, pepperming and spearming essential oils. It also helps cleaning the microwave... boil a cup of water in a coffee mug (or other unbreakable container) for about 8 minutes. Then, get a mixture of baking soda and water and wipe down the walls and ceiling of the microwave. It cleans so easily!! And you can use the same mixture in the fridge, but I use hot water mixed with baking soda for that job.

Gerald

13 years ago at 8:34 AM

Wow I had no idea that there were so many uses. I thought it was for cooking only. Great info!

David

13 years ago at 10:42 AM

For slow drains, pour in a 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by a 1/2 cup of vinegar. After 20 minutes pour in some hot/boiling water to flush. This is a good alternative to the harsh commercial products.

Bubba

13 years ago at 11:47 AM

Holy wow! I think I'm going to start stocking up on Baking Soda!

howard

13 years ago at 7:37 PM

to repair plastic items. cover break with super glue and add baking soda and more super glue.

Coco

13 years ago at 8:17 PM

I sprinkle it in my kitty litter boxes. Even tho I use the scoopable litter, it does make a difference with helping control any odors.

Tom

13 years ago at 5:54 AM

Oh,, and don't forget , It cures CANCER, Dr. Tulia Simoncini ( an oncologist ) was curing cancers in 2 weeks with a solution of distilled water and pure baking soda ( no impurities), and injecting it in the tumors. His book; " CANCER IS A FUNGUS". Cancer cannot live in an alkaline environment ( eat more organic vegetables ) Italy revoked his medical license because he wasn't following "protocol"

Deb

13 years ago at 6:57 AM

Another way to deoderize your refrigerator is to place some baking soda on a plate and top lay a few pennies on top of the soda (about 5 or os). It removes odors from your refrigerator even better than an open box.

Patty

13 years ago at 1:01 PM

I had an oil fire in my oven and it went out immidately when I threw a handful of baking soda on it.

Caroline

13 years ago at 1:24 PM

If you have coffee or tea built up stained in your coffee or tea cups, add some baking soda with a smidge of water to make a paste, rub around the inside of the cups and rinse. It will remove the stained look.

dottie

13 years ago at 6:05 PM

Since childhood, I have soaked in a tub of warm water, 1 quart (or more) of apple cider vinegar & 1 box (or more) of baking soda to relieve a sunburn or allergy rashes. The severity of the sunburn &/or the rash, determines how much vinegar & baking soda one may need. Also, it takes the sting, burn &/or itch out of the burn or rash & with a sunburn, it leaves you with a nice tan that doesn't peel. Once when my son was about 5 years old he fell into the neighbors cactus garden. I immediately had him soak in the vinegar & baking soda in the tub and the needles did not fester & itch. Every time the cactus needles began to surface again, I put him in the tub to soak once more. It made the needles soft & much easier to pull out with tweezers and reduced the pain considerably for him. He soon was telling me, "Mom, I gotta soak again!!!" By having him soak right before going to bed & sprinkling his sheets with baking soda, he was soon able to sleep most of the night without the pain of the needles still surfacing, causing him enough pain to wake him up.

Bubba

13 years ago at 1:31 PM

Besides the last one HockeyGuy ...

Bea

13 years ago at 2:04 PM

I am extremely allergic to bee stings, and have found that baking soda is very effective on drawing the poison out. However, if baking soda is not readily available, another very effective...and usually available...paste can be made from a little dirt and water. Works for all kinds of stings...just be sure the stinger (if a bee) is removed first. Works like magic...just a little messier.

Deborah

12 years ago at 9:42 AM

I always carried a tube of fluoride toothpaste with me, and still keep one in my emergency kit in the car. Dab it on stings and it takes away the pain. Note: remove stingers first. Scrape off with a credit card or something with a hard edge. DON'T grab bee stingers as the poison sac is attached and you will pump more venom into the wound.

Momma

12 years ago at 11:03 AM

My son used to get sinus infections all the time. So the doctor told us to make a nasal rinse using water, picking salt (not table) and some baking soda. The salt gets rid of the infection and the baking soda keeps the sinus membranes moist so his nose didn't dry out. This stuff really works well and is a lot cheaper than the saline sprays you can buy in the store.

Michelle

12 years ago at 5:04 PM

I use it instead of shampoo. It works great, cleans your scalp nicely and then I rinse with apple cider vinegar in water. No need for shampoo due to the baking soda and no need for conditioner because apple cider vinegar is a natural conditioner.

Ella

12 years ago at 8:22 PM

I use it all the time in suitcases before storing.

Kathy

12 years ago at 10:33 AM

Another thing that baking soda can be used for ( I was a hairdresser) and when we had a customer that had alot of hairspray in their hair and even water would not penetrate, we took the box of baking soda and shook it on to the hair mixed with shampoo than rubbed it in all over and to the ends of the hair. The hair became soft, pliable and rinsed all the gook out, leaving the hair completely manageable!

Jenny

12 years ago at 9:22 AM

I regularly use it to get rid of thrush. I make a strong solution, soak a tampon in the solution, insert it and leave it for a few hours. Its a lot cheaper and just as effective as thrush creams and pessaries from the chemist

Sue

12 years ago at 2:12 PM

I have a horse. Use it after cleaning the barn/stall. Won't even know a horse lives there!

Susan

12 years ago at 11:09 PM

I use it to destroy fire ant hills. I pour 1 part baking soda to 2 parts vinegar on top of the mound. My kids enjoy the volcano reaction as well.

KIM

12 years ago at 1:54 PM

I have used baking soda to clean my granite sink.I used it to clean my Son's white leather running shoes after he went to a bush party, they were so bright and white afterwards. My Mom gave me some vintage needle work that had yellowish brown stains on them,I made a paste of baking soda and liquid detergent,let it sit in cold water while I went to work it was bright and clean when I got home.My kitchen sink/drain had a nasty smell so I poured baking soda down it followed with vinegar.

Cindy

12 years ago at 1:26 PM

Here is another use I came up with. Before applying Mascara rub baking soda on your fingers then tap lashes with it and it doesnt matter if you use a little or alot they make your lashes thicker and stronger and look amazing after the mascara is applied, dont believe me try it.

Genie

12 years ago at 3:00 PM

Don't forget to use it in swimming pools instead of those deadly pH correctors, it elevates the pH of the pool without being toxic! My pool is crystal clear, I buy big boxes of it. Thank you for sharing all those tips, I will be trying new ones.

B SOYARS

12 years ago at 10:20 AM

I USE BAKING SODA WITH WATER ON A SPONGE TO TAKE THE SURFACE SCRATHES OFF MY CAR. WORKS GREAT!

Sakina

11 years ago at 10:02 AM

I use baking soda -soda bi-carb on my teeth. They become sparkling white. No need to go to dentist to scale the teeth. Keeps my gums healthy. So 74 I have all my teeth. !!

Jeanne Savage

11 years ago at 9:06 AM

Want to make 1/3 amount of laundry soap. What size is the washing soda box I should buy. The price could vary greatly between the super market, health food store, discount store. Thank you. Many thanks for the "formula" for toothpaste. I had read of one with salt added, not bleach. My dentist said to avoid SLS. After reading the about the negatives of all the chemical junk they put in products, I don't want any part of them. I have had a chronic, now acute problem with my gums. Where the hell was the AMA when they started poisoning our food, everyday products and environment?

seandette

11 years ago at 2:21 PM

Yes, I would like to thank you for share with us about this info "30 amazing uses for Baking Soda" that I learning something new to me.

Liz

11 years ago at 8:15 PM

This is for the person who destroys ant hills with baking soda and vinegar. And her kids love the volcano affect!!! WTF is wrong with you!!! Half the reason people use baking soda for sooooo many things is that it doesn't harm the environment the way most cleaners do. Any you kill with it!!! And you're teaching your kids to kill nature?!!!! Way to go - the planet is in peril from human behavior, yeah let's bring up yet another generation to think that humans are the be-all end-all species!!!! NO! I've never had a fire ant infestation - but that would be IN YOUR HOUSE - not outdoors where they live. Try figuring out a way to live WITH nature, not against it.

Michele

8 years ago at 6:31 AM

Are you kidding me? How would you like to see YOUR kids get eaten alive by ants while playing in the yard? Or just walkin to the bus stop? There are billions of ants, per acre of land. Anyone who thinks you can live peacefully next to fire ants is living somewhere that doesn't have them. they can kill you! We certainly have a right , even as "worthless " humans, to defend our young.

Queen LAmour

11 years ago at 9:12 PM

After being treated with a ten day supply of antibiotic therapy.With no Gud result.I applied the dry baking powder to skin around ,a difficult- to -heal infected finger.Amazing results in days.My objective was to keep the area dry.But it seemed to have enhanced the healing process.So we can add antiinflammatory to it s usage.#truestory#comingfromanurse

Aleen

11 years ago at 3:25 PM

I use it when I make foods that are gassy. Example: stuffed cabbage, beans, broccoli. Just a pinch and then add your salt to taste because it does add saltiness.

Anna

11 years ago at 12:41 PM

Use baking soda in a paste on baby's cradle cap, let set then comb out and massage in a little olive oil. Works well on tougher scabby bits.

Tracey Mundy

11 years ago at 8:14 PM

A paste of baking soda & water works wonderfully as a drawing ointment to draw out infection!

Lauren

11 years ago at 1:27 PM

Ever since I started adding baking soda along with a tablespoon or so of vinegar to the prewash basket in my dishwasher, the glasses and plates come out much cleaner and almost perfectly spot free. I do not use a brand name detergent.

Ruby

11 years ago at 7:29 PM

Ammy, For bladder infection, Small glass one part vinegar one part lemon drop in one full teaspoon baking soda then chug an I mean fast. What is the Lemon drop? Lemon juice? Extract?

Arnay

11 years ago at 7:26 AM

Thank you I certainly picked up some great tips here.. I got to test the burned pot as I was reading here & forgot I had a pan on the stove, gotta say cleaned up a beauty.. Thank you to everyone for leaving such great comments; I personally swear by the stuff.. If you suffer from constipation take 1 teaspoon in a glass of water, be warned does not take long & bam you are clearing...:)

marki

11 years ago at 7:36 AM

Liz, until you have lived with fire ants don't be condemning people who kill them. They are very aggressive, poisonous and can kill a full grown cow with their venom. So yes, bravo to Susan for teaching her kids how to kill fire ants without using chemicals that would be harmful to the environment before the fire ants causes an allergic reaction to one of her children. And a fire ant bite is no fun.

Terry F

11 years ago at 10:31 AM

Fire ants, has anyone tried the natural repellents like pouring vinegar coffe grounds or peppermint spray around where their next is and areas of house where they enter? Fire ants are not only painful but can be deadly to some and can see doing what you can from entering your home although they are living creatures and if you kill should do it with the least amount of suffering as possible. People are getting to insensitive to the suffering of others including Gods creatures. That's regarding true suffering not whining attention seekers. God gave us domain that means " responsibility " for them not to do what ever we want. When you end a life it may not mean anything to you but it does thst life who may be just starting out, a life thats trying to find away to live among the most deady creature.. us. Most creatures are part of the environment that work togeather with it. If we forget that we one day may see ourselves on the extinction list out of pure stupidity. We as humans the ones who are supposed to be the smartest have become selfish are now the greatest threat to the environment.

Kay

11 years ago at 12:51 PM

CAUTION: Baking soda is an abrasive so use with caution/sparingly on precious surfaces like teeth silver plate, and other and plated/decorated goods. *Dentists advise not to use baking soda on teeth more than a few times a year because it abrades tooth enamel. *Washing silver/gold plate with baking soda will definitely wear away the plating (and other applied meaterials). I ruined many lovely items (silverware, plates/cups with gold trim, copper plated goods, etc) before I noticed the wearing away, to late.

Benjamin

11 years ago at 3:55 PM

Warning: Please be careful taking ( ingesting ) baking soda on a regular basis in you have or suspect you have high blood pressure.

Mona

11 years ago at 7:13 PM

Thank you for the Baking soda uses! I have another way to stop ants using baking soda! Add about equal parts powered sugar and baking soda then scatter it around the out side of the house and where ever ants are a problem! Safe for kids and pets!

Joyce

11 years ago at 11:28 PM

I clean and polish my stainless steel kettle and toaster with a soft cloth that is very damp then dipped in to baking soda and rubbed all over the item, you then polish it off with a soft cloth, they look like new again

Sharon

11 years ago at 5:47 AM

Baking soda takes the acid out of home made tomato sauces, and no sugar added!

Chris

11 years ago at 12:26 AM

Baking soda is great to sprinkle on a burn where the skin is not broken It takes away the pain in minutes and stops any blistering Make sure the skin is dry before you aply the baking soda

Roberta

11 years ago at 8:57 AM

the laundry detergent that I make (and LOVE) uses primarily washing soda, baking soda and some borax and then I use white vinegar for both bleach and fabric softener.... I have a recipe for fabric softener that uses water, vinegar and a certain brand of hair conditioner... which I kinda like but I need to play with the recipe as I'm not totally satisfied and have just reverted back to using just the vinegar... and the clothes do not end up with a vinegary smell...

Roberta

11 years ago at 9:01 AM

Oh, and the toothpaste I make is a base of coconut oil, baking soda and sea salt -about 4 parts coconut oil, 1 part baking soda and 1/4 part sea salt... it should be a kinda runny paste and taste salty and won't hurt you if you swallow it.... Also do not put water on the toothbrush until completely done and do not rinse the mouth - you want the healing properties of the ingredients on your teeth, gums and tongue...

Kay

11 years ago at 2:13 PM

I have used vinegar as a fabric softener for years and love the way it works and is so much cheaper than commercial softeners!

Shebrew

4 years ago at 8:05 AM

Add baking soda to plain water and soak wine / grape juice stains on linens for 30 mins. and you will see the "wine turned into water". Another Passover miracle!