Uncommon Household Uses for Baking Soda

Baking soda is a versatile and affordable household staple that goes beyond its common use in baking. While most people know it as a leavening agent for fluffy cakes and bread, baking soda also possesses numerous practical applications throughout your home. Let’s explore the lesser-known household uses for baking soda, revealing its remarkable benefits in natural living practices.

What is Baking Soda Made Of?

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), is a white crystalline compound. It is derived from a naturally occurring mineral called nahcolite, which is found in deposits around the world. Baking soda is typically produced through a chemical reaction involving soda ash, water, and carbon dioxide.

Abilities of Baking Soda

Baking soda offers several notable abilities that make it an invaluable and versatile tool in household tasks. Let’s review some of the key things it can do!

Neutralizing Odors

Baking soda is renowned for its ability to neutralize unpleasant odors. Its alkaline nature helps to balance pH levels, reducing acidic or foul smells. Whether it’s in your fridge, carpet, or shoes, baking soda can effectively absorb and eliminate unwanted odors.

Lifting Stains

Thanks to its mild abrasive properties, baking soda excels at lifting stains from various surfaces. It can be used as a gentle scrubbing agent to remove tough stains on countertops, pans, and even clothing.

Cutting Through Grime

The slightly gritty texture of baking soda makes it an excellent cleaning agent for cutting through grime and grease. It can be used to tackle stubborn stains, grease buildup, and residue on a wide range of surfaces. Use baking soda to cut through grime in the kitchen, bathroom, garage, and more!

Household Uses for Baking Soda

With its ability to neutralize odors, lift stains, and cut grime, baking soda has a variety of household uses — from cooking to cosmetics. Read on to discover them all!

Uses for Baking Soda in Cooking

1. Natural meat tenderizer: Soak tough cuts of meat in a baking soda and water mixture to help tenderize them before cooking.
2. Cleaning fruits and vegetables: Create a cleaning solution for your home-grown or grocery-store produce by mixing water and baking soda. Dunk items in the mixture to remove dirt and pesticides from fresh fruits and vegetables. Then, rinse the produce thoroughly.
3. Removing burnt-on food: Soak cookware with baked-on food in a mixture of baking soda and water to make cleaning easier.
4. Enhancing coffee and tea: Add a pinch of baking soda to your coffee or tea to reduce bitterness.

Cleaning Uses for Baking Soda

1. All-purpose cleaner: Mix baking soda with water to create a paste and use it to clean surfaces such as countertops, sinks, and appliances.
2. Deodorizing carpets: Sprinkle baking soda liberally on carpets, let them sit for a while, and then vacuum to remove odors.
3. Freshening up upholstery: With the same idea in mind as deodorizing carpets, sprinkle baking soda on fabric-covered furniture and then vacuum it up after letting it sit for a while to remove odors.
4. Reviving stainless steel: Make a paste of baking soda and water to polish and remove stains from stainless steel appliances and fixtures.

Uses for Baking Soda in Laundry

1. Natural fabric softener: Add half a cup of baking soda to your laundry to help soften clothes and reduce static cling.
2. Stain remover: Apply a paste of baking soda and water directly to stains before laundering them to help remove them effectively.
3. Deodorizing shoes: Sprinkle baking soda inside smelly shoes to absorb odors and freshen them up between wears.
4. Brightening whites: Add baking soda to your homemade laundry detergent to enhance the brightness of white clothing.

Uses for Baking Soda in the Garden

1. Fungus treatment: Mix baking soda with water and spray it on plants affected by fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
2. Pest deterrent: Create a barrier by sprinkling baking soda around plants for a natural pest control method that deters pests like slugs and snails.
3. Soil amendment: Incorporate baking soda into your soil to help balance pH levels and promote healthy plant growth.
4. Compost odor control: Add baking soda to your compost bin to help reduce unpleasant odors.

Cosmetic Uses for Baking Soda

1. Teeth whitening: Create a paste by mixing baking soda and water, and use it as a natural teeth whitener.
2. Facial exfoliant: Mix baking soda with a gentle cleanser for a DIY exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin cells.
3. Dry shampoo: Apply a small amount of baking soda to your roots and brush it through to absorb excess oil between washes.
4. Foot soak: Add baking soda to warm water for a refreshing foot soak that helps combat foot odor. You can also try using Epsom salt in the same way.

Related Article: DIY Natural Cosmetics: 11 Recipes You Need in Your Beauty Routine

Uses for Baking Soda and Vinegar

Use vinegar and baking soda combined for various cleaning tasks. They are an effective pair due to their complementary properties. This powerful duo is perfect for unclogging drains, removing stubborn stains, and even cleaning glass surfaces. When mixed, they create a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide bubbles, helping to lift dirt and grime.

Baking Soda: A Simple, Affordable Solution Around the House

Baking soda’s versatility and affordability make it an indispensable tool for various household needs. From cooking and cleaning to gardening and personal care, its wide range of applications offers practical solutions for everyday tasks. By harnessing the power of baking soda, you can achieve efficient and eco-friendly results while keeping your home fresh and clean.

FAQs: Household Uses for Baking Soda

Is baking soda safe to use around pets?

While it is generally safe for pets, it’s best to keep your furry friends away from areas where baking soda has been applied in large amounts.

Can baking soda be used for fire extinguishing?

Baking soda has been known to be useful in smothering small grease fires, but it’s essential to exercise caution and follow proper fire safety protocols.

Is baking soda an effective replacement for commercial cleaning products?

While baking soda is a versatile and effective cleaning agent, for heavy-duty or specific cleaning tasks, it may be necessary to use specialized natural cleaning products.

Can baking soda be used for toothpaste?

You can use baking soda as an occasional toothpaste replacement, but it’s important to consult with a dentist before making any significant changes to your oral care routine.

How long does baking soda last?

Baking soda has an indefinite shelf life, but its effectiveness as a leavening agent may diminish over time. However, it can still be used for various non-culinary purposes even after its leavening power decreases.