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?
Adena says
Add a little to your shampoo to strip out all product residue. Then shampoo as you regularly would. Leaves hair extra clean. Don’t do more than once a week or every other week, depending on how much product you use; overuse can possibly dry out hair.
Stephanie says
I have transitioned to using baking soda as shampoo permanently, not even in addition to shampoo. If your hair is drying out, it is because your hair isn’t used to producing its own protective coating any longer. If you have processed your hair very much, it would take several weeks of getting used to so your hair can re-learn to protect itself. It has saved me so much money that I will never go back; it was worth the time it took to adjust, for sure, and now I am constantly complimented on how healthy my hair looks.
DEANA says
Greetings from Pennsylvania! I found that very informative. Thanks for the comment. I will be back to check for more info when I can.
Shar says
I use it place of buying clarifying shampoos. Once or twice a month, depending on need, add about a tablespoon mixed with a normal-sized dollop of shampoo and apply to wet hair in the shower. Rub into hair as usual, it will be very foamy. Rinse, condition, and style as usual. Completely safe for hair and non-drying. It has removed it all: hair wax, gel, hairspray, shine enhancers, etc.
m says
Hi, some of you mention the 6lb bag at Costco. Is that the best deal?
m says
oops.. I think its bigger than 6lbs
steven says
Great post on a very fascinating topic, love it, will surely be back!!
Many still not appreciating or knowing the benefits of using baking soda properly.
Fatiha says
It’s also healthy when you have indigestion or flatulence : drink half a glass of water in which you will add 1 / 2 teaspoon of baking soda
Courtney says
I keep it in my gym locker, as well as sprinkle in my gym shoes to prevent smells 🙂
ChristieAnna says
I use it to reduce the size of my pores, brush my teeth, and, clean the plastic areas on my car interior. Gets into the little grooves to make it look brand new again!!!
Frances says
We use it to brush our teeth! We mix it with a little peppermint extract, stevia, and Bronner’s. Makes a great toothpaste!
TidyMom says
Thanks for linking up Katie!
I featured you on my wrap up post!! http://tidymom.net/2011/im-lovin-it-wrap-up-21311/
JANIS NEILL says
THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD TIPS.
Tara says
My friend uses it with a toothbrush to clean her Jewelry. I use it to clean my children’s toys. No worry about germs or harsh chemicals.
george says
Best (and easiest way) to clean silver, as it won’t damage your silver the way polish will:
Line a baking dish with tin foil. Sprinkly baking soda and salt (coarse if you have it) liberally. Place your silver in the dish. Pour boiling water over the silver until covered. Leave 20 minutes (min). I find turning it half-way through helpful if things are badly tarnished. I’ve done the same in larger format in the sink to do large pieces of silver.
Mixing it with club soda is a great way to get anything (especially cat vomit) out of carpets.
Works as a great toilet bowl cleaner.
the urban baker says
what a great post, Katie! And I am in love with your simple, little photograh!
Kimberley says
My kids spill. A lot. When we had carpet I’d have to soak it up as best I could, but it always ended up stinking. So I’d soak up what I could with a towel, and then cover the spot liberally with baking soda. No smell! It even worked on the spots that had already dried and got stinky!
Valerie says
Great ideas! I looked at that giant bag at Costco and always wondered what i would do with a 13 pound bag. Now I know, I’m thinking next time I go to costco that will on my list.