80+ Wonderful Ways to Use Baking Soda

No home should be without baking soda, and you will see why, when we explore these 60 wonderful ways. The best part of it all is that baking soda has no scent, and no harmful chemicals!  As you know I love homemade natural cleaners and just as we explored some ways to use vinegar, I couldn’t wait to talk about baking soda as an equally useful natural living product no home should be without.


1. Make your own “Soft Scrub”: Create a paste of baking soda and water, then add a bit of salt to  baking soda paste. Add a drop of lemon essential oil, and scrub the counter tops and sinks until they shine. The salt won’t scratch surfaces since it’s gentle, and the lemon will make everything smell fresh.

2. Clean jewelry: Make your rings sparkle by scrubbing then with some baking soda on a wet toothbrush.

3. Take out fish smell: If you have fresh fish, baking soda helps to reduce the fish odor if you marinate the fish in it for an hour before cooking.

4. Soothe insect bites and bee stings: Create a paste with baking soda and water and pat over the affected area. It will create a cool relief and draw the sting out.

5. Clean combs and brushes: Soak combs and brushes in a hot water solution.  4 cups of hot water to a ½ cup baking soda. Soak for 1-2 hours then rinse clean.

6. Smooth your skin: Create a soothing bath salt recipe  and use in a warm soaking bath to smooth your skin.

7. Clean up oil spills on your garage floor:  Sprinkle baking soda over oil and absorb the liquid, then sweep it up.  You can also sprinkle the baking soda in an oil pan and place where on floor where you car parks to catch and absorb the oils spills.

8. Create a fizzing toilet cleaner: (This is my new favorite boy bathroom smell solution!)  Pour in 1 cup baking soda to toilet water,  then 4-6 drops of Melaleuca (Tea Tree Oil) essential oil, then pour in 1 cup of vinegar. Watch it fizz and foam and clean your toilet.  Swish with toilet bowl brush, for a sparkling and sanitized toilet.

9. Whiten your teeth:  Use a little toothpaste, mix in one teaspoon baking soda, plus one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide, and a 1/2 tsp. of  water. Thoroughly mix then brush your teeth for two minutes.  Repeat this once a week till you have desired results. Once your teeth are whitened, just repeat once a month.

10. Mouthwash: To make your own mouth rinse; You will need 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt,  and 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil. Add ingredients to a quart of boiling hot water and stir. Let cool and store in a glass jar with lid.

11.Homemade toothpaste: Dunk a wet toothbrush in baking soda to help whiten and freshen teeth. For a minty flavor. Make a paste of baking soda with a few drops of water and one drop of peppermint essential oil and stir together and brush away.

12. Relieve indigestion: Combine 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 drop of peppermint essential oil , and drink for indigestion.

13 No poo shampoo: Combine 1-2 tbsp of baking soda to 1 Cup of warm water.  Pour over hair and rinse.  ( You can make a vinegar/water rinse to use as a conditioner)

14. Relieve sunburn: To relieve pain, make a thin paste using water and baking soda. Gently apply to the burned area.

15. Clean your silver: Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to one part water. Rub the paste onto each silver piece,  then rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

16. Shine up your car: Use baking soda to clean up the vehicle like you do the bathroom, it makes chrome sparkle as well as stainless steel.

17. Clean cutting boards: Freshen and clean plastic and wooden cutting boards clean by scrubbing then with a paste made from 1 tbsp of each ;baking soda, salt, and water. After you are finished rinse with hot water.

18. Exfoliate Skin:  To exfoliate your skin, make a paste using 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Apply to your face with your hands and rub gently to slough off dead skin, and leave your skin with a glow.

19. Oven cleaning:  Make this Oven Cleaner Recipe.

20. Soothe sore throat: Gargle with warm water and baking soda to heal and calm sore throats.

21. Detox: To relieve aches and pains, mix 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup apple cider vinegar in a warm tub of water.

22. Take out the gas from beans:  Soak dry beans in soda water overnight to remove the gas from them.

23. Clean dentures and retainers: To clean, soak dentures and retainers  in 1 cup warm water and 3 tablespoons baking soda.

24. Clean up burned pots and pans: Sprinkle bottom of burned pan.  Add one inch of water and bring to a boil.  It will remove the burned on junk fast.

25. Remove scuff marks: To remove scuff marks or grease spills from the floor, sprinkle with baking soda and then wipe with a warm, damp cloth. This is even safe for no-wax floors.

26. Make a volcano with the kids:  Vinegar and baking soda of course make a fun explosion for the kids!

27. Keeps iced tea clear:  Add a pinch of baking soda to iced tea to keep it clear and from being bitter. (Just a small amount is all it takes.)

28. Soothe itchy rashes: Add baking soda to a warn bath and soak to relieve itchy rashes and dry skin.

29. Relieve heartburn:  to relieve heartburn, drink 4 ounces of water mixed with 1 teaspoon baking soda.

30. Keep garbage cans fresh: Baking soda will keep away garbage odors; sprinkle the bottom of your garbage can, and also sprinkle the inside of the bag once you have lined the garbage can.

31. Fluff up your scrambled eggs: To make fluffier scrambled eggs , add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to three eggs.

32.Clean your stove top: Mix up a paste using baking soda and water. Apply the mixture to your glass stove top. Rub and then wipe clean.

33. Clean up cast iron skillets: To remove baked on food residue, boil a mixture of 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda in the cookware. Then re-season pan.

34. Deodorize refrigerator: Place open box of baking soda in your refrigerator.  Want a new twist on this old classic?  - try also adding a few drops of lemon essential oil, for even more freshness.

35. Remove odors from cutting board: Sprinkle baking soda on cutting board and rub with half of a lemon to remove smells from your board and freshen it up.

36. Deodorize food storage containers: To remove odors from food containers, sprinkle with baking soda and allow them to sit covered for 24-48 hours. Or you can wash them in a sink of water mixed with ½ cup baking soda.

37.. Put out small fires. Grab handfuls of baking soda to extinguish small grease fires in the kitchen.

38.  Deodorize drains: Freshen up sink drains and garbage disposals, by adding a tablespoon of baking soda and running hot water for a few minutes.

39. Reduce acid in tomatoes: To reduce acid in tomatoes, sprinkle them with a pinch of baking soda.

40. Freshen stinky clothes:  Simply add a 1/2 Cup of baking soda to the load of laundry to remove odors.

41. Scrub dirty tennis shoes: Baking soda makes a great shoe scrub.  Sprinkle shoes with baking soda, and use a dampened brush to clean sneakers.

42. Tenderize meat: To tenderize, rub meat with baking soda and allow it to sit for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator. Rinse before cooking.

43. Remove chicken feathers:  To easily remove feathers and clean, boil the chicken in a pot of water mixed with 1 teaspoon baking soda.

45. Antiperspirant: Apply baking soda under arms for quick-dry antiperspirant.

46. Clean and deodorize the fridge:  To clean and deodorize the refrigerator, make a cleaning solution using 4 cups water and ¼ cup baking soda. Wipe down the inside of all racks and drawers to make your fridge clean and fresh.

47. Unclog drains: To unclog drains, remove as much of the standing water as possible. Pour 1 cup baking soda into the drain then pour 1 cup hot vinegar. Allow it to fizz, foam and sit for 10-15 minutes and then run hot water for a few minutes.

48. Clean coffee maker: To clean your coffee maker, add ¼ cup baking soda to a pot of water. Run the water through a complete brewing cycle.

49.Reduce odors in cat litter:  After removing cat feces, sprinkle baking soda on cat litter to help freshen it up.

50. Odor eaters for smelly shoes.  Sprinkle inside of stinky shoes with baking soda  Add a drop of melaleuca essential oil if you like, and let sit overnight.

51. Dry scrub for bathroom and kitchen faucets. (this takes the place of Comet)  Sprinkle baking soda in dry form and scour (brush) in places you would use a powder type of cleanser, such as porcelain sinks, bathroom tile, and around faucets.

52. Fruit and vegetable wash: Clean pesticides off of fruits and vegetables. Add some baking soda to a sink of water and rinse your produce in it.

53. Washing machine cleaner: Baking soda can work to get rid of stains on your clothes, but it can also be used to rid your machine of sticky, stubborn, and smelly stains. (Great for the rubber on front loading washers)

54. Fabric softener: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle of your laundry’s load for softer clothes.

55. Clean up your outdoor grill: Sprinkle with baking soda and scrub with wire brush to remove baked on charred residue.

56. Freshen  and whiten cloth diapers: Pre-soak your baby’s diapers in baking soda and water solution overnight.

57. Rose Bush Spray: Roses really do well  if you spray a mixture of a gallon of water to one teaspoon of baking soda. Put mixture in a spray bottle and mist rose leaves.  (And you can even add a 1-2 tsp of liquid soap to clean the leaves.)

58. Remove fungus and mold from plants: Baking soda is useful in the garden as an anti-fungal, helping to get rid of fungus, mold, and mildew onto affected leaves. ( make up a solution as in #57, and use on other plants as well)

59. Soothe baby’s bottom rash: Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda, to a lukewarm bath, and have baby sit in it for a few minutes to soothe diaper rash.

60.  Make your own “Carpet Fresh” deodorizer:
1 16 oz box of baking soda
20 drops of lavender essential oil
10 drops of lemon essential oil
whisk together in a bowl.  store in a air tight container, such as a glass mason jar.
Sprinkle carper deodorizer and let it sit for 20 minutes or so. Vacuum up.
(You can use any of your favorite essential oil scents for this)

61. Skip produce washes—just put some baking soda on a damp sponge, scrub and rinse.

62. Soak hair brushes and combs in a mixture of 1 teaspoon baking soda and a small amount of warm water. Rinse and dry.

63. Before you store your patio furniture for the season, scatter baking soda under chair cushions.

64. Keep your grill clean all summer long by putting some baking soda on a damp brush, scrubbing the grate, then rinsing.

65. Freshen rugs by sprinkling baking soda on carpet, wait at least 15 minutes (preferably let sit overnight), then vacuum up.

66. Add 1 cup of baking soda to your next load of laundry (along with your regular liquid detergent) to get clothes cleaner and brighter.

67. Remove baked-on residue by shaking a generous amount of baking soda on pots and pans. Then add hot water and dish detergent, let sit for 15 minutes and wash as usual.

68. Deodorize a funky-smelling hamper. Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the hamper (or over dirty clothes) to keep items fresher until laundry day.

69. To brighten a dull floor finish, dissolve ½ cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water. Mop and rinse for a shiny floor.

70.Clean the dishwasher and coffeemaker by running an empty cycle with baking soda.
Add ½ cup baking soda to your bath for an at-home spa treatment.

71. Sprinkle baking soda in the kitty box, then add litter on top to keep smells to a minimum. Or make a DIY litter, mixing a small box of baking soda with 3 inches of sandy clay.

72. Use baking soda to brush your pets’ teeth.

73. For instant relief from bug bites, sunburn and poison ivy, mix baking soda with a little water and apply it directly to the sore.

74. Pour in 1 cup baking soda followed by 1 cup hot vinegar to quickly unclog the kitchen drain.

75. Fight dandruff by tabling the shampoo for a few weeks and massaging your wet scalp with a handful of baking soda instead.

76. Gargle with baking soda, or use it as mouthwash.

77. Soak toothbrushes in a mixture of ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup water; let brushes stand overnight for a thorough cleaning.

78. Scatter baking soda on icy sidewalks?it’s not as corrosive as salt.
Discourage weeds by sprinkling baking soda into the cracks on your driveway and walkways.

79. Surround Fido’s food bowls with baking soda to keep pests away.

80. Mix a little baking soda into your conditioner and lather on your hair to keep it healthy and resistant to split ends.

81. Have heartburn? Create an antacid by mixing ½ teaspoon of baking soda with ½ cup of water.

82. To deodorize a drain, pour about ½ cup baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ cup vinegar. After 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to clean residue. NOTE: Use this method only if your pipes are metal. And never mix with other cleaning solutions. Don't try this if you've recently used a commercial drain product.

83. How to clean your cookie sheets--Kitchen "Miracle" Cleaner! You put about 1/4 cup of baking soda in a small glass bowl and squirt in hydrogen peroxide until it makes a nice paste. Then you rub it on the offending dirt/stain/grease...whatever! You can usually just use your fingers...but you can also use a small sponge as well.

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EXTRAORDINARY USES OF BAKING SODA- The following are 75 other uses for baking soda aside from an antacid to unclogging gas stoves
HEALTH USES . . .
1. Use it as an antacid.Take a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with one-half glass of water.
2. Use it as underarm deodorant by applying it with a powder puff.
3. Mix half a teaspoon with peroxide paste and use it as toothpaste.
4. Use it as a face and body scrub.
5. Add a cup to bathwater to soften your skin AND relieve skin irritations.
6. Relieve skin itch from insect bites and pain from sunburn.
7. Remove strong odors from your hands by rubbing them with baking soda and water.
8. Put two tablespoons in your baby’s bathwater to help relieve diaper rash.
9. Apply it on rashes, insect bites, and poison ivy irritations.
10. Make your Own No' Poo Shampoo -cleans your hair without Chemicals
11. Freshen your mouth by gargling half a teaspoon of baking soda mixed water.
12. Make a Toothpaste with it by mixing it with 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
13. Relieve canker sore pain by using it as mouthwash.
14. Use it to relieve bee stings.
15. Use it to relieve wind burns.
16. Apply it on jellyfish sting to draw out the venom.
17. Unblock stuffy nose by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your vaporizer. IN THE HOME . . . 18. Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon to the water in the vase.
19. Put out small fires on rugs, upholstery, clothing, and wood.
20. Put an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb the odors.
21. Sprinkle it on your ashtrays to reduce bad odor and prevent smoldering.
22. Sprinkle it on your slippers, boots, shoes, and socks to eliminate foul odor.
23. Turn baking soda into modeling clay by combining it with one and 1/4 cups of water and one cup of cornstarch.
24. After feeding your baby, wipe his shirt with a moist cloth sprinkled with baking soda to remove the odor.
25. Wipe your windshield with it to repel rain.
26. Improve the smell of dishrags by soaking them in baking soda and water.
27. Suck it in with your vacuum cleaner to remove the odor.
28. Freshen the air by mixing baking soda with your favorite perfumed bath salts. Put the mixture in small sachet bags.
29. Restore stiff brushes by boiling them in a solution of 1/2 gallon of water, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and a cup of baking soda.
30. Put it under sinks and along basement windows to repel cockroaches and ants.
31. Scatter baking soda around flowerbeds to prevent rabbits from eating your veggies.
32. Sweeten your tomatoes by sprinkling baking soda on the soil around your tomato plants.
33. Sprinkle it onto your cat’s litter box to absorb the bad odor.
34. Sprinkle it on your pet’s comb or brush to deodorize their fur and skin.

IN COOKING . . .
35. Use it as a substitute for baking powder by mixing with it with cream of tartar or vinegar.
36. Wash fruits and vegetables with it.
37. When boiling a chicken, add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water. Feathers will come off easier, and the flesh will be clean and white.
38. Soak dried beans to a baking soda solution to make them more digestible.
39. Remove the distinctive taste of wild game by soaking it in a baking soda solution.
40. Make a sports drink by mixing it with boiled water, salt, and Kool-Aid.
41. Remove the fishy smell from your fillets by soaking the raw fish in a baking soda solution for an hour inside the fridge.
42. Make fluffier omelets by adding half a teaspoon of baking soda for every three eggs used.
43. Reduce the acid content of your tomato-based recipes by sprinkling them with a pinch of baking soda.

FOR CLEANING . . .
44. Add a cup to the toilet, leave it for an hour, and then flush. It will clean the toilet and absorb the odor.
45. Use it to scrub sinks, showers, plastic and porcelain tubs
46. Spray it on walls, mirrors, and countertops.
47. Add a spoonful to your dishwasher to make scrubbing dishes easier.
48. Remove grease from pots and pans.
49. Dry clean carpets and upholstered furniture by sprinkling baking soda over the fabric and gently brushing it. Leave it for an hour or overnight, then vacuum.
50. Boost your laundry detergent’s cleaning power by sprinkling a handful on dirty clothes.
51. Combine it with water to make a paste for polishing stainless steel and chrome.
52. Remove scratches and crayon marks from vinyl floors and walls.
53. Clean your shoes with it.
54. Clean garbage cans with it.
55. Use it to wash diapers.
56. Clean the fridge with it.
57. Soak brushes and combs in a baking soda solution.
58. Mix it with water to wash food and drink containers.
59. Put three tablespoons of baking soda to a quart of warm water, then use the mixture to wash marble-topped furniture.
60. Absorb it with a damp sponge, then clean Formica countertops with the sponge.
61. Use it to get rid of stale odors from cooling containers and thermos bottles.
62. Run your coffee maker with a baking soda solution, then rinse.
63. Combine with hot water to clean baby bottles.
64. Sprinkle it on barbecue grills, then rinse it off.
65. Scatter it on your greasy garage floor, scrub the floor, and rinse.
66. Remove burned-on food from a pan by soaking it in a baking soda solution for 10 minutes before washing.
67. Clean your ashtrays with a baking soda solution.
68. Keep your drains clean by putting four tablespoons of baking soda in them each week. Flush it down with hot water.
69. Clean your shower curtains by soaking them in baking soda and water.
70. Put it on a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.
71. Use it to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from a toaster. Sprinkle baking soda on a damp rag, then use the rag to clean the toaster.
72. Use it to clean your retainers and dentures.
73. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water, and used it to scrub enameled cast iron and stainless steel.
74. Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with a quart of warm water, and use it to clean the inside part of an oven.
75. Use it to unclog gas stoves.
76. Polish Silver Flatware (3pts baking soda, 1 pt water)
77. Clean Battery Terminals to neutralize battery acid corrosion in vehicles