Kitchen Tip: The Many Uses for Baking Soda
Baking Soda is such an amazing thing.
There are so many uses for it beyond it’s most common use as a chemical leavener in baked goods.
So I thought I’d that for this week’s kitchen tip I would share share some of my favorite uses for baking soda.
Take my advice and don’t fuss with buying a small box of baking soda next time you’re out.
If available in your area, a 13 lb. bag of baking soda (purchased at my Costco) is much more cost effective.
Thinking “what could I possibly need 13 lbs. of baking soda for?”
Think again!
Baking Soda is a great household product for all sorts of reasons.
My Favorite Uses for Baking Soda (besides in baking)
Deodorizing
Baking soda is great to help get ride of bad smells.
A few of my favorite ways to deodorize with baking soda are:
- For a stinky refrigerator, place a bowl of baking soda on one of the shelves.
- For Trash cans, liberally sprinkle baking soda on top of the smelly trash.
Personal Hygiene
Baking Soda works well as a substitute for several other personal hygiene products.
- For a gentle facial exfoliant, keep a small tupperware of it in your shower for radiant skin.
- Swish and gargle 1 teaspoon with a glass of water to freshen your breath and relieve canker sores.
- Use as a toothpaste substitute. It also helps remove stains and whitens your teeth naturally.
- Relax and enjoy a detox bath using baking soda. Learn How to Take a Detox Bath and try this recipe for Lavender Eucalyptus Green Tea Detox Bath Salts
Laundry Additive
For brighter, fresher clothes, I always add 1/2 cup of baking soda to my laundry.
Adding baking soda to laundry really helps keeps whites looking whiter and brights looking clean and fresh.
It also helps remove grease stains and bad odors from clothing, plus it is a natural fabric softener!
Dirty Dishes
Baking soda helps get the job done when you’re faced with really dirty dishes.
- Sprinkle the broiler pan with heavily with baking soda, then top with a wet paper towel. Let soak for 30 minutes, then clean as usual. This also works well on BBQ grills.
- Sprinkle the bottom of your dishwasher with baking soda and then run as usual to reduce odor build up.
Homemade Baking Powder
Out of baking powder?
Make your own using 2 parts cream of tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1 part cornstarch
From My Friends
I asked a few of my friends what their favorite uses for baking soda were because I knew they’d think of some good ones that weren’t on my list.
Here’s what they had to say:
Shaina: Making volcanoes and soda bottle rockets with the kids. Put it on insect bites. Underarm Deodorant.
Cheryl: Scouring my sink. I also make a paste with vinegar and put it on insect bites.
Kristan: I only like baking soda to bake…I’m so boring. (you are NOT)
Jamie: To absorb carpet spills…for example, if someone spills soda we blot up the area, spray with water, and shake on baking soda. It will lift the stain, once it dries, you simply vacuum it up and rub the area a bit.
What are some of your favorite uses for baking soda?
Linda Kamau says
DEODORANT! Yes it works. Now I would never say use it every day. I’m a person that sweats a lot, I cant help it. It’s embarrassing, I’v had this problem all my life. Do’not use this with in 24 hours of shaving, It will burn you. Do’not use if you have any cuts. The pain is not right away. If you have the problem that I’m talking about, and tired of being embarrassed then you’ll understand. I can now wear strapless dresses.
JR says
Love all the kitchen tips keep them coming!
CHARRINE says
My husband and I occasionally work on vehicles and many other things around the house. he could never get the grease off of his skin and under his nails. I finally showed him to use a drop of dish soap and a teaspoon of baking soda. His hands have never been so clean AND SOFT! 🙂 He said “gee next thing you’ll be bathing me in it…. ” then laughed. I said ” Don’t laugh to hard!” lol 😉
Jilly says
I use baking soda with coconut oil for a facial scrub every other day. Leaves skin smooth and soft and reduces size of pores.
Alicia Topor says
Homemade remedy for upset stomach & tastes delicious .
1 glass cold water. I use 1/2 to 3/4 of a glass
1 tsp. whit sugar. Stir to dissolve sugar in water
1 Tbsp white vinegar
Stir all ingredients together .
Next step I do over the sink as the fizzing can get strong. Add 1/4 to 1/2 tsp baking soda to mixture. Mix & drink It tastes great & it works!
Nicole says
If you ever get HEARTBURN baking soda is a great cure! Just drop a teaspoon into your mouth & drink some water & WALA! You’ll start burping instantly! It doesn’t taste great & your burps will smell but it takes the horrible painful heartburn away & it’s completely safe!
Glenda says
I use dry baking soda with dry paper towel to clean and polish: Grease on the oven door and glass
Inside and outside of my stainless steele toaster oven,( makes it shine like new) also stainless steel toaster. Also use it in water to wash down inside and outside my fridge.
Sarah says
My mother taught me to keep my oven clean by mixing baking soda with hot water to make a thick paste, then spread it over the inside of your (clean) oven with a rag or paper towel. Admittedly the aspect of your oven is unusual as it bakes on to be a white wash, but once a week you rinse with hot water, the oven is clean & you reapply. No chemicals, no contortionist tricks, No mangled finger tips !
Lynda says
I brush my teeth with baking soda, then put a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in my mouth and brush again. Very clean. Love all these ideas!
kris miller says
make glow in the for the kids with baking soda..1/4 bottle mountain dew a tiny bit of baking soda 3 caps of peroxide screw lid back on bottle an shake you made glow in the bottle .. super cool…
Lisa says
Use it to clean stainless steal thermost coffee mugs. Mix water,baking soda,salt swish around with top on (lightly) then let it sit awhile.
Barb says
I use baking soda in my stainless steel coffee pot and ceramic coffee mugs that sometimes stain from teas/coffees. Just sprinkle some baking soda in the pot or mug and add a little water to make a paste. Using your dish rag to rub the paste all over the pot/mug and the stain is removed.
Ciel says
For the past 2 months, baking soda has been my only shampoo, with the exception of a haircut appointment last week. Not only do I like the results better than commercial shampoo, I can also rest assured that I am not exposing my skin to the toxic chemicals that are contained in them (SLS, phalates, propylene glycol, etc.). I must admit that I was skeptical to try using purely baking soda to wash my hair, and decided to give it a try. So glad I did.
Omeghan says
I use baking soda when making whole yellow pea soup. Add dried peas to pot and cover with cold water, add a cup of baking soda and bring to a boil. (stirring to remove any dirt on peas) Simmer til peas are slightly wrinkled.(approx 5 mins) There could be alot of dirt and foam on top. Rinse and drain peas well, clean out the pot and start your soup.
The baking soda seems to eliminate any flatulance peas or beans could cause in the finished soup.
Dragonflywer says
I use about a teaspoon of baking soda in ALL cooked beans; like you said, it helps eliminate the flatulence that beans give.