Today, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can be found in almost every home, and it still remains popular as a baking ingredient. Due to its pH-regulating abilities, however, this inexpensive and environmentally-friendly product has far more uses than most people realize – and many of those uses extend well beyond the kitchen.
Cleaning at home and in general:
1 Use on mild abrasive surfaces
For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile and sinks (even fiberglass and glossy tiles) sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and rubbing lightly as usual. Rinse well and dry. For extra cleaning power, make a paste of baking soda, salt and liquid soap, apply let stand 5 minutes, scrub and rinse.
2 Wash dishes, pots and pans
Add 2 heaping tablespoons baking soda (along with your detergent to wash dishes regularly) to help cut grease and foods left on dishes, pots and pans. For pots with stuck food, let them soak in soda, detergent and soda water first, then use dry baking soda on a sponge or a clean, damp cloth in powder form to prevent scratches.
3 Remove odors from sponges
Soak smelly sponges in a strong baking soda solution to get rid of dirt (4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water).
4 Clean the microwave
Sprinkle baking soda on a clean damp sponge and pass smoothly in and out of the microwave. Rinse thoroughly with water.
5 Polishing silver cutlery
Use a paste made of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Rub the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse well and dry to polish it.
6 containers Cleaning Coffee and Tea
Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter taste of coffee cups with a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight with a solution of detergent or washing soda and baking soda then wipe with a clean damp sponge and baking soda.
7 Clean the oven
Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the furnace. Spray with water to dampen the baking soda. Let stand overnight. In the morning, scrub and remove the baking soda and grime with a sponge, or vacuum, and rinse.
8 Floor Cleaning
Removes dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) from no-wax floors and tiles with 1/2 cup of baking soda in a bucket of warm water, mop and rinse for a shiny floor. For scuff marks, use baking soda on a clean damp sponge, then rinse.
9 Furniture Cleaning
You can clean and remove marks (even crayon) from walls and painted by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly furniture. Clean after with a clean, dry cloth.
10 Cleaning the shower curtain
Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling baking soda directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Rub the curtain and rinse. Hang to dry.
Adding baking soda to your laundry is an effective, cost-efficient and chemical-free way to keep your clothes clean and soft. Simply add half a cup of baking soda to each laundry load (if you’re cleaning the laundry manually in a tub with water) or to each rinse cycle (if you’re using a washing machine). Baking soda is a particularly good choice for people who favor clothes made from natural fibers such as organic cotton, linen, or hemp. After all, what’s the point in purchasing these natural clothes if they’re just going to be ruined with chemical detergents?
12 Gently cleanses baby clothes
Baby skin requires the most gentle cleaning. There are many specialized products on the market, but the smell and stains are difficult to remove. For tough stains add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your liquid detergent or 1 / 2 cup in the rinse cycle for deodorization.
13 Cleaning cloth diapers
Dissolve ½ cup of baking soda in 2 quarts of water and soak diapers.
14 Clean sporting equipment
Use a solution of baking soda (four tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart warm water) to clean and deodorize smelly sports equipment. Sprinkle baking soda into golf bags and gym bags to deodorize, clean golf clubs (without scratching them!) with a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water and a brush. Rinse well.
15 Remove oil and grease stains
Use baking soda to clean the oil and grease spilled on the garage floor or platform. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.
16 Cleaning Batteries
Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, etc. because it is a mild alkali. Be sure to disconnect the battery terminals before cleaning. Prepare a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water, apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the battery terminals. After cleaning and reconnecting the terminals, wipe them with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Please be careful when working around a battery because it contains a very strong acid, wear gloves.
17 Car Cleaning
Use baking soda to clean the car lights, chrome, windows, tires, seats and vinyl floor mats without worrying about unwanted marks or scratches. Use a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1/4 gallon of warm water. Apply with a sponge or soft cloth to remove road grime, tree sap, insects and tar cloth. For stubborn stains use baking soda spray on a damp sponge or soft brush.
18 Deodorize the refrigerator
Places an open container in the back of the refrigerator housing to neutralize odors. Replace every couple months or as needed.
19 Deodorize cutting board
Sprinkle cutting board with baking soda, scrub, and rinse.
20 Deodorize trashcans
Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trash to keep it free of odor.
21 Deodorize Recyclables
Sprinkle sodium bicarbonate in the top of the container. Also, clean the recyclable container periodically by sprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge. Clean and rinse.
22 Deodorize Drains
To deodorize your sink and tub drains, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain while running warm water from the tap – this will neutralize odors. (This is a good way to use sodium bicarbonate from the refrigerator.)
23 Deodorize and Clean Dishwashers
Use baking soda to deodorize before operating the dishwasher and then as a gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.
24 Deodorize the garbage disposal
To deodorize the disposer and prevent odors from coming back, pour sodium bicarbonate down the drain while running warm tap water.
25 Deodorize lunch boxes
Sprinkle baking soda in the lunch box to absorb odors.
26 Remove the smell from carpets
Freely Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let stand overnight or as long as possible (the longer it sets the better it works). Sweep the large amounts of sodium bicarbonate and vacuum up the rest.
27 Remove the smell of vacuum cleaners
Using the method above for carpets, also deodorizes your vacuum.
28 Refresh the closet
Place a box of baking soda on the shelf to keep the closet smelling fresh.
29 Car deodorization
Odors are set in car upholstery and carpet, so each time we walk and sit down, they are released into the air again. Eliminate these by sprinkling baking soda directly onto fabric seats and carpet odors. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for strong odors) then wipe away or vacuum out.
30 Deodorize cat box
Cover the bottom of the box with baking soda and then fill with litter as usual.
31 Deodorize pet bedding
Eliminate odors from your pet’s bed by sprinkling with baking soda, wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odors), then vacuum it.
Deodorize shoes 32
Keep your sneakers free of bad odors by sprinkling baking soda into them when not in use. Remove the baking soda before use.
33 Cool bedding
Add 1 cup baking soda to the rinse cycle to have fresh sheets and towels.
34. Deodorizes clothes smelling of sweat
The smell of sweat from gym clothes can be neutralized with a half cup of baking soda in the rinse cycle.
35 Eliminate Teddy odors
Keep your favorite stuffed toys smelling fresh by giving them a dry shower of baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda and let sit for 15 minutes, remove with a brush.
36 Use as a facial scrub and body scrub
Baking soda makes a great facial cleanser, and is known to improve acne, eczema, blackheads, and other skin conditions. To create a facial wash, mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of warm water in a small bowl, then stir the mixture until a soft paste forms. After cleaning your face with warm water (this will help remove excess grime), cover it with the paste using your fingers. Gentle, circular motions seem to work best. Finally, after a couple of minutes have passed, remove the paste and wash your face thoroughly with warm water until all residue is removed.
37 Avoid aggressive Deodorants
Baking soda is a strong antibacterial and can kill the bacteria responsible for making sweat smell. Simply mix an eighth of a teaspoon of baking soda with a small amount of purified water (avoid dissolving them) and rub the solution under your arms. This is a much more natural way of neutralizing odors than using commercial deodorants, whose ingredients list often reads like a chemistry set.
Please note that baking soda is not an anti-antiperspirant. Natural anti-antiperspirants don’t exist, since only chemicals are able to stop our body’s sweat glands from functioning (which is a bad idea, and can lead to long-term toxicity). Therefore, you’ll still sweat when using natural deodorants like baking soda, but the sweat will have a neutral odor. Don’t knock it ’til you try it!
38 Heartburn and indigestion
If you’re suffering from heartburn, indigestion, or any other condition caused by excess stomach acid, dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda into a cup of purified water and drink the solution slowly (preferably on an empty stomach). Baking soda is highly alkaline and will help neutralize stomach acid in no time. In fact, chronic sufferers of excess stomach acid often admit that the relief provided by baking soda is longer-lasting than that provided by commercial antacid tablets.
39 Treat insect bites and itchy skin
For insect bites, make a paste of baking soda and water and apply as a salve to the affected skin. To relieve itching, sprinkle baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after your bath or shower.
40 Make a hand cleanser and softener
To neutralize hand odors preparing a paste with 3 parts of sodium bicarbonate and 1 part of water. Rub your hands as you would with soap and then rinse. This is a great trick to use after chopping garlic, onions, turmeric, etc.
41 Helps hair
Apple cider vinegar is amazing for your hair, but baking soda has its place in the shower too. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda in your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Apply and rinse as usual. Baking soda helps remove the residue from styling products, leaving your hair cleaner and more manageable.
42 Cleaning brushes and combs
To keep hair shiny you must keep brushes and combs clean. It removes the natural oil and residue build up from hair products. Soak in a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda in a small amount of warm water. Rinse and let dry.
43 Make a neutralizing bath
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralize acids on the skin and help remove oil and sweat, it also makes your skin feel very soft.
44 Relieves fatigue from your feet
Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl of warm water and immerse feet. Gently rub. Wait until the water cools off then rinse.
45 Make Toothpaste
There’s a good reason why many natural toothpastes contain baking soda: its antibacterial properties help prevent plaque build-ups (and whiten the teeth as a bonus). It’s not necessary to purchase an overpriced natural toothpaste, however, when baking soda alone does the job just as well. Simply take a pinch of baking soda and place it in a small bowl. Then, add some purified water to the bowl and mix until the solution is slightly runny. Some people like to add sea salt to the solution to boost its effectiveness or hydrogen peroxide for extra whitening.
The FDA has desperately tried to scare people away from using baking soda as a toothpaste by claiming that it’s “too abrasive.” Like other time-honored tooth cleaners such as hydrogen peroxide, though, this alleged abrasiveness can be controlled through dilution. If your teeth are sensitive, for example, consider adding more water to the solution. This will decrease the potency of the baking soda, resulting in a gentler (but still effective) cleanse.
For some more easy fluoride-free DIY toothpaste ideas follow this link: 4 Ways to Make Non-Toxic, Fluoride-Free, Organic Toothpaste
46 Freshen the mouth
Put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, spit and rinse. Odors are neutralized, not just hidden.
47 Oral appliances
Soak oral appliances, like retainers and dentures in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in a glass or small bowl of warm water. The baking soda loosens food particles and neutralizes odors to keep appliances fresh. You can also rub a brush for cleaning oral appliances with baking soda.
48 Turn off the heat
Baking soda can help in the initial management of electrical or grease fires, because when baking soda is heated, it emits carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking fires (frying pans, grills, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity if you can safely do so. Stay away and throw handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame to help put out the fire-and call the Fire Department just to be sure.
49 Septic Care
Regular use of baking soda in your drains can help your septic system flow freely.
1 cup of baking soda per week will help maintain a favorable pH in your septic tank.
50 Clean Fruits and Vegetables
Baking soda is a safe food to clean dirt and debris from fresh fruits and vegetables. Sprinkle a little on a damp, clean, scrub and rinse sponge. Also check out this vinegar rinse to remove topical pesticides by following this link: This Simple Trick Removes Pesticides from Your Vegetables & Fruits