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?
Harrison says
i saw on serious eats on caramelizing onions that it helps deepen or make it go faster on it because of the ph scale or something
Denise says
I mix half baking soda with half 20 Mule Team Borax and use it as powder soap for my dishwasher. Dishes come out very clean.
Mindy Sue says
I use it to wash my hair – I no longer use shampoo. I also use it as a face scrub every time I shower.
Erica says
I use it to unclog my kitchen sinks. When they start to get slow in draining, I sprinkle baking soda into the drain. I then pour vinegar in and quickly put the stoppers in. The force of the gases created, forces whatever is in the drain down it. I then run a sink full of hot water to wash anything else away.
Marianne says
I’ve used it to get the corrosion off of a digital camera after a battery burst in it. Sprinkle baking soda on and spray or drip a tiny bit of water on it. Give it a minute or two to work, then wipe off. Just be super careful not to get any excess water into the electronics.
Anna says
I love this post! @ dorine- I can’t wait to try it on my hair, I struggle with dandruff and have tried everything to no avail!
Jamie | My Baking Addiction says
Great tips, Katie! These tips are such a great resource!
Nikki says
I use it in almost EVERY load of laundry along with my Arm & Hammer detergent and clothes siftner…it helps get rid of ANY odors!
I also use it every day in the cat box! The cat likes it and I dont have to smell that thing!
I also use it in our jacuzzi tube to clean out the smelly jets!
elizabeth says
@ nikki…….how do u use it in your jacuzzi? i fill mine to the top with water and add a cup of bleach once a month but i dont like the smell it leaves in my batroom after…
Terri H. says
Use 1/4 tsp.of baking soda per gallon ofwater to make sun tea. Tea never comes out bitter and always clear.
rere says
terri, you are absolutely right,. a little baking soda in tea (for ice tea) is the BEST! look up” smooth sweet tea” and you will find the exact recipe. it is great with the pinch of baking soda!!
Dominique says
I saved this list from an article I read a long time ago. There’s a few different ones:
HAIR
* Remove buildup. Mix a small palm-full of baking soda to your shampoo to remove buildup from conditioners, mousses and
hairsprays.*
* Dry shampoo. No time for a shampoo? Baking soda can be used as a dry shampoo when your hair is oily. Sprinkle some on your hair, comb through then quickly fluff your hair with a blow dryer.
* Chlorine-damaged tresses. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 pint warm water.*
* Combs and brushes. Remove product and oil buildup by soaking your utensils in a bowl of warm water with about 3 tablespoons of baking soda. You can also add a splash of bleach.*
SKIN
* Facial Exfoliant. In the palm of your hand, mix some baking soda with your facial cleanser to make a gentle exfoliant. Use circular motions to apply gently then rinse as usual for very soft skin.*
* Rough skin. This also works for the rough skin on elbows and feet. Make a thick paste with baking soda and water (about 3 parts baking soda to one part water) and scrub away.
* Shaving. A solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in a cup of water works as a pre-shave product of aftershave rinse for men with sensitive skin.
MOUTH
* Tooth polish & whitener. Baking soda toothpastes have been long-time shelf staples for a reason. The
baking soda works to freshen breathe and whiten and polish teeth. Dip a damp toothbrush in baking soda and brush away. My personal twist, dip a toothbrush with toothpaste in baking soda for mouth cleaning times two.*
* Toothbrush. Soak your tooth brush in a mixture of water and baking soda and let it soak overnight.*
NAILS
* Soft cuticles. Scrubbing your nails or toenails with a nailbrush (or old toothbrush) dipped in baking soda will soften and gently exfoliate cuticles.
BARB says
I use it to de-stink plastic containers. Put a tablespoon in a plastic container, close lid tightly, then let set for few days and any odor in it will disappear.
Nancy says
This has nothing to do with the kitchen, but my husband uses baking soda to clean the battery terminals on our vehicles to keep them from corroding.
Cheryl says
I love his idea!!
Stacy G says
I use it to make a monthly hair cleanse to reduce product buildup. Add some to your shampoo and make a paste and use as normal. Love it!
suneeta says
Great post. I’m off to buy that 13lb. bag now!
Amanda says
I totally brush my teeth with baking soda! And I love learning all these other uses.
🙂
Cheryl says
great idea!
Marion says
I’ve used it with lemon juice to get out rust out of the kettle and my cast iron skillet