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?
alhaun says
I use it outside on the ice, it does not melt it but it does give you traction and does not harm your flooring if tracked into the house
Janet in Maine says
I use baking soda to clean my sink traps. I shake a good amount into the drain, then pour white vinegar over it until it stops bubbling. Then leave it for a few minutes and then pour boiling water down the drain. I do this occasionally just to keep the sink trap clear and fresher also.
Bev says
I use baking soda with a little bit of my hair shampoo to clean my tub. Works great!
Crazy Bonnie says
I use it as a carpet refresher, I sprinkle it all over and wait about a half an hour then vacuum right up. It also keeps the vacuum smelling fresh. I’ve also been told it kills fleas on carpets but don’t hold me to that one. It does keep my carpets smelling freh though.
Dawn says
We use it to raise the PH in our pool in the summer. Much more cost effective, and less chemicals too.
Happy When Not Hungry says
Wow thanks for all these great tips! I generally tend to use baking soda to bake and keep my refrigerator smelling nice and pretty, but def might have to try using in my laundry as well!
Kristen says
Lots of good ideas!
melissa says
Heard a new one this week end… use it to raise the ph in your fish tank. Works like a charm and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg like the kits at the pet store.
Theresa says
I used it when my kids were still in diapers to get rid of diaper rash or a red bottom. Just a 1/4 cup added to their bath water and their rash or redness was gone!
laura says
I combine baking soda (1 cup) with distilled white vinegar (6 cups) and water (8 cups) for homemade fabric softener. This makes about a gallon and you can use 1 cup per regular load of laundry in the last rinse cycle. 🙂
Michelle in NZ says
I mix it with an equal amount of salt and use this to clean my ceramic cooktop – use a damp cloth and elbow grease. Much better, and gentler than any commercial cleaner.
MichelleP says
Elbow grease isn’t needed. Just sprinkle with baking soda, cover with damp paper towel, walk away for 15 minutes & wipe right up. 🙂
Fawn says
pour good amount of baking soda down any drain then pour vinegar over it, let it bubble then pour more vinegar a few times. It loosens all the build up and takes care of any oders. i love doing this to the tub. i also had read somewhere just recent to put a little baking soda with your shampoo just once a week and that it gives your hair extra shine and deep cleans.
Marianne says
I use it as my favorite dishwashing detergent. Equal parts baking soda and Borax. Pair that with vinegar as a rinse aid. Leaves dishes clean with no residue from harmful products.
Shaina says
Great tips, Katie!
Faye S says
Make a paste of water & soda to clean silver
if you are out of silver polish, clean with soft cloth.
jerrysgirl says
You can use it to unclog a drain. Pour baking soda down the drain and then add vinegar. When it stops fizzing add more vinegar. Repeat until there is no more fizzing.