There are so many uses for baking soda. The first time I picked up a box to use in a recipe I realized I could put it in my refrigerator to get rid of odors. But, baking soda can do so much more than just be used for baking and deodorizing a fridge.
Here are the many uses of this great product:
1. Baking (of course, we all know that one!)
2. Deodorizing & Cleaning – It can neutralize odors chemically rather than mask or absorb them. You can place it in the fridge to get rid of odors or use it to scrub a sink or counter-top or bathroom. You can also sprinkle some in shoes, on your carpet or under car seats to neutralize odors.
3. It is in bath salts and deodorant powder, you can use it as either.
4. It is in toothpaste and mouthwash and can be used directly on teeth. It can help whiten teeth and freshen breath. Just place some baking soda on a dampened toothbrush and scrub away. A half teaspoon mixed in half a glass of water will freshen breath and also relieve canker sore pain.
5. It is used in fire extinguishers to help put fires out.
6. Baking soda mixed with a little water can be used on insect bites
7. It can be sprinkled in litter boxes to help control odor
8. You can make homemade baking powder using baking soda: simply sift and stir together 2 parts cream of tartar, 1 part baking soda, 1 part cornstarch
9. Make clay for kids to play with using baking soda: You will need a bowl to mix this in and a plastic zip bag to store it in. Mix together, 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup cornstarch and 1 ½ cups water. This clay is completely non toxic. Children can mold it, let it dry and paint their creations.
10. Clean vegetables and fruits with baking soda: sprinkle in water, soak and rinse the produce.
11. Use to wash many items including: trash cans, baby cloth diapers, clean oil and grease off clothing easier by adding a little to the washing water, clean fridge and freezer with a damp cloth and baking soda, add ½ cup of baking soda to washing machine with each load, clean combs and brushes with soda solution, wash food and drink containers, use to wash Formica, marble or plastic surfaces, thermos bottles, glass or stainless steel coffee pots, baby bottles, grills, polish silverware with soda on a damp cloth, and use in dishwasher to prevent odor.
12. Use baking soda to remove burned-on food from a pan: let the pan soak in water and soda for about 10 minutes before washing or scrub with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.
13. Remove the bad smell from ashtrays with soda and water, sprinkle a bit of soda into ashtray to prevent smoldering and reduce odor.
14. Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by putting 4 tablespoons of soda in them each week. Flush the soda down with hot water.
15. Soak your shower curtains in water and soda to clean them.
16. Add 1/2 cup or more of baking soda to your bath water to soften your skin.
17. Put 2 tbsp. of baking soda in your baby’s bath water to help relieve diaper rash irritations.
18. Take a soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such as measles and chicken pox.
19. Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.
20. Use to relieve sunburn: use a paste of baking soda and water.
(ok, maybe more than 20!)
21. Use if your baby spits up on his shirt after feeding, moisten a cloth, dip it in baking soda and dab at the dribbled shirt. The odor will go away.
22. Use to repel rain from windshield. Put gobs of baking soda on a dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out.
23. Add to water to soak dried beans to make them more digestible.
There are so many different things you can use baking soda for. I’m sure that there are plenty more, these are just a few. Baking soda is truly a miracle chemical.
