Ingenious Ways To Use Baking Soda
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a versatile household staple that goes beyond its well-known use in baking. From baking cookies to making homemade cleaners the uses for baking soda are seemingly limitless.
This humble white powder can be a powerful tool in your home, offering a plethora of uses that are both practical and economical. Here are some ingenious ways to use baking soda.
What is baking soda
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a white, crystalline powder that is commonly used as a leavening agent in baking. It’s a base substance that reacts when it comes into contact with acids, like buttermilk, yogurt or vinegar. This reaction produces carbon dioxide, which causes dough or batter to rise and become fluffy, making it essential for baking cakes, cookies, and bread.
In addition to its culinary uses, baking soda is also used in a variety of household and personal care tasks due to its cleaning, deodorizing, and pH balancing properties. It’s often used as a natural cleaning agent, a deodorizer, a pH balancer in pools, a tooth whitener, and even a skin exfoliant.
Chemically, baking soda is a salt composed of a sodium cation (Na+) and a bicarbonate anion (HCO3-). It’s a mild alkali that can neutralize acids, which is why it’s also sometimes used as a home remedy for heartburn or acid indigestion.
It’s important to note that baking soda is different from baking powder, though both are used as leavening agents. Baking powder contains baking soda, but it includes an acidifying agent and a drying agent as well.
Uses for baking soda
Natural Deodorant: Skip the chemicals and use baking soda as a natural deodorant. Simply mix together equal parts baking soda and arrowroot powder. Add a few drops of essential oil for scent. Apply the deodorant to your underarms as you would any other deodorant.
Teeth Whitener: Brush your teeth with a paste made of baking soda and water for a natural teeth whitening solution.
Make your own toothpaste. If you’re looking for a natural toothpaste, you can make your own with baking soda. Simply mix together equal parts baking soda and water. You can also add a few drops of essential oil for flavor.
Antacid: Baking soda can neutralize stomach acid. Dissolve a teaspoon in a glass of water and drink it for instant relief from heartburn.
Cleaning Agent: Baking soda is a great cleaning agent. Use it to scrub your kitchen counters, appliances, and more.
Unclog Drains: Pour baking soda followed by vinegar into a clogged drain. Wait 15 minutes and then rinse with hot water.
Laundry Booster: Add half a cup of baking soda to your laundry to boost detergent’s cleaning power and brighten whites.
Carpet Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up to remove odors.
Silver Polish: Make a paste of baking soda and water and use it to polish your silverware.
Fridge Deodorizer: Place an open box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb odors.
Foot Soak: Add three tablespoons of baking soda to warm water for a soothing foot soak.
Exfoliator: Mix three parts baking soda with one part water to create a natural exfoliator for your skin.
Insect Bite Soother: Apply a paste of baking soda and water to insect bites to relieve itching.
Weed Killer: Sprinkle baking soda between the cracks of your walkway to kill weeds.
Fire Extinguisher: In case of a small kitchen fire, throw handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame to help put it out.
Flower Preserver: Add a teaspoon of baking soda to a vase of flowers to keep them fresh longer.
Fruit and Veggie Scrub: Use baking soda to scrub fruits and vegetables clean.
Coffee Maker Cleaner: Run your machine with a baking soda-water solution to clean out coffee buildup.
Grill Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda on your grill grates and scrub with a brush.
Closet Freshener: Place a box of baking soda in your closet to keep it smelling fresh.
Garbage Can Deodorizer: Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your garbage can to neutralize odors.
Shoe Deodorizer: Sprinkle baking soda in smelly shoes to absorb the bad odor.
Hairbrush Cleaner: Soak hairbrushes in a baking soda and water solution to clean them.
Stain Remover: Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to stains before washing.
Garden Fungicide: Mix baking soda with water and use as a spray for roses and grapes to control fungal diseases.
Fish Tank Cleaner: Use baking soda to scrub away algae and other deposits on your fish tank.
Dishwasher Freshener: Sprinkle baking soda in the dishwasher between loads to keep it smelling fresh27.
Pet Bed Deodorizer: Sprinkle baking soda on your pet’s bed, wait 15 minutes, then vacuum to remove odors.
Litter Box Freshener: Mix baking soda into your cat’s litter box to help absorb odors.
Jewelry Cleaner: Make a paste of baking soda and water and use it to gently scrub jewelry.
Microwave Cleaner: Clean and deodorize your microwave by boiling a solution of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 cup of water in the microwave.
Mattress Freshener: Sprinkle baking soda on your mattress, wait 15 minutes, then vacuum to freshen it up.
Cutting Board Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub your cutting boards to remove odors and stains.
Battery Corrosion Cleaner: Disconnect the battery and use a baking soda and water paste to scrub away corrosion on your car battery.
Toilet Cleaner: Add a cup of baking soda to the toilet, leave it for an hour, then flush for a clean and fresh toilet.
Soothe Sunburns: Add half a cup of baking soda to lukewarm bathwater, then soak in the tub for natural relief.
Baking soda is a safe and effective natural alternative to many commercial products. It’s a great way to save money and reduce your environmental impact. So next time you’re looking for a way to clean, deodorize, or exfoliate, reach for baking soda instead of a chemical-filled product.
