25+ Baking Soda Hacks You’ve Never Heard Of

Bicarbonate of soda most commonly known as “Baking Soda” is an everyday household product most known for its useful addition in baking. Little do you know that this product is not limited to cooking. Baking Soda is a versatile ingredient used in many household products and surprisingly, has a lot of health benefits. Here are 25 helpful uses for baking soda that you never even expected!

Clean Your Produce

The best way to get rid of those filthy pesticides from your fruits and vegetables is actually by using baking soda. Soak your produce in a bowl with just 1 teaspoon of baking soda per 2 cups of water or scrub with a damp sponge and there you go!

Clean Rugs And Carpets

Freshen up your rugs and get rid of those stains by sprinkling bicarbonate of soda on your carpet. Sprinkle a generous amount over the rug and pour hot water on top. Allow the mixture to sink in overnight and then vacuum over for the best results. If it is a tricky stain, reapply the mixture a few times. Just like that, your carpet is looking new and your wallet didn’t even have to suffer for it!

Mouthwash

Tired of having bad breath no matter how hard you try to get rid of it? Mouthwash is the perfect way to reach the far ends of your mouth that a toothbrush just can’t access. Baking soda can be the perfect solution to freshen your breath, while also providing antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits. This recipe is super simple and only contains half a teaspoon of baking soda, warm water, mix as needed.

Deodorant

Using baking soda as a deodorant supplement is an easy way to get rid of odors, while not exposing your body to chemicals. All you need is a little bit of baking soda and some water. Rub this mixture under your arms and you’re smelling good as new.

Air Freshener

Most commercial air fresheners just mask bad smells instead of eliminating bad smells. Also, do we even know what chemicals are contained in these bottles? The answer is no! Baking soda is your safer alternative and interacts with the odors instead of simply covering them up.

Whiter And Brighter Clothing

Just add 1 cup of baking soda to your laundry along with your regular detergent to get cleaner and brighter clothing. This is because baking soda is an alkali, a soluble salt that helps remove and stains. When it interacts with acids in the stains it helps remove them.

Bathroom Cleaner

Bathrooms can be difficult to clean. Those bathtub marks that just won’t budge, it makes you want to pull your hair out. There’s a variety of products available, but baking soda is your cost-effective cleaning opportunity. It not only whites bathroom surfaces but also disinfects them. It is suitable for anything from bathroom tiles to toilets and everything in between! Create your mixture, rub it throughout the intended area/s, and wipe after 20 minutes.

Polishing Silverware

The annoying thing about silverware is that it tarnishes over time. But how great do these items look when they are shiny and clean! Baking soda comes in handy as it initiates a chemical reaction to target tarnish marks. Pour hot water mixed with baking soda over the silverware and observe the chemical reaction that takes place. You will be pleasantly surprised with the results!

Spa Treatment

Feeling overwhelmed from a long week at work but don’t have the funds to treat yourself to a relaxing getaway? You can create a spa in your own bathtub by combining a hot bath with 1 oz of sprinkled baking soda. Not only did you not waste your money, but you didn’t even have to leave your home!

Disinfect Toothbrush

Cleaning your toothbrush is something you probably don’t think about daily. But with cold and flu season upon us, this is extremely important. Think about it, you’re putting this in your mouth every single day, we want it to be clean! Baking soda can get rid of all the bacteria when combined with water and vinegar. In just 30 minutes you’ll have a clean toothbrush.

Treating Bug Bites

It isn’t safe to apply baking soda every day to your skin. but it is useful in soothing the redness, itching, and stinging that goes with an insect bite. Most of the creams suggested contain baking soda, when in fact you can create your own solution by using just baking soda and water!

Burnt Pot

You’ve tried everything and you’re about to throw away your favorite pot because you’ve accidentally scorched the bottom when cooking. The worst! These types of accidents can be difficult to clean but that’s before you heard of this baking soda solution. Just boil water and baking soda together and pour over the burnt areas.

Cleaning Shoes

Baking soda is your go-to remedy to get rid of that embarrassing problem of having stinky shoes. All you have to do is pour 2 tablespoons of baking soda into two clothes. Secure the fabrics together and leave them in the shoes for the best results.

Heartburn

Heartburn commonly known as acid reflux is a burning sensation from your throat to your stomach, essentially going down your esophagus. It can be caused by overeating, stress, spicy foods, and certain fruits. It can be super painful but that’s before you found baking soda which combats this issue and neutralizes stomach acid. Drink a glass of water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and you should be feeling back to normal soon!

Cancer Treatments

Chemotherapy is the common treatment for cancer patients as it slows the growth of the cancer cells. But what if there was something that could help these chemotherapy treatments work even more efficiently? Well, that would be like hitting the jackpot! Baking soda can do this. This bicarbonate can make the environment for tumors less acidic, which helps the chemotherapy treatments.

Fluffy Omelet

For people who don’t love eggs, they make feel like omelets are not a sufficient way to sustain them for the day. By adding 1/2 teaspoon for every 3 eggs, this produces bubbles of carbon dioxide and lightens the omelet. Your eggs will appear fuller and tastier too!

Cleaning Drains

Whether it’s your kitchen or bathroom, backed up drains are the absolute worst! All you need is vinegar, baking soda, and a pot of boiling water and within 5-10 minutes you’ll have your drain completely cleared out!

Garbage Disposal Odors

Every once in a while, something is thrown in the garbage disposal that racks up a terrible odor. This is where the baking soda- vinegar solution comes in to play. Begin by running hot water in your garbage disposal for about one minute. Next, pour in 1/4 baking soda into the drain and turn the disposal on for 2 seconds. After 10 minutes, add 1 cup of vinegar and the bubbles will start to develop. End with running water and there you go, your kitchen will be smelling fresh as new.

Whiten Your Teeth

We’re all addicts to tea or coffee. But too much of these guilty pleasures can have consequential effects, like changing colors. If you don’t want to give up these hot drinks you may end up spending up more than half your salary on dental products or teeth cleaning. We have the best solution to keeping your pearly whites looking healthy and clean! Just try a quarter teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water and apply using your toothbrush.

Sore Throat

Are you a victim to frequent sore throats, or worse, strep throat?! This sickness can be the worst and taking too many antibiotics can be harmful to your body. Try gargling with baking soda three times a day for fast and healthy relief!

Whiten Yellow Nails

Some of us can’t kick the habit of leaving our nail polish on too long and picking it off until our nails turn yellow. Gross! You can easily get rid of these stains just by mixing baking soda with a small amount of peroxide. Next, scrub the mixture on your nails and your nails will be back to normal before you know it.

Lighten Dark Underarms

When summer is just around the corner there’s nothing more humiliating than having dark underarms. How can you get these marks away at the last minute so you can strut your stuff in that adorable new sundress? Well, the answer is easier than you think and all you’ll need is baking soda, water, and a bowl to achieve this. Create the mixture and apply and massage the area for 1 minute. Leave it to stay for up to 30 minutes and then wash with warm water. Do this process 2-3 times a week for best results.

Exercise Performace

Baking soda can be extremely useful for athletes too! This product can help you perform at your peak for longer, specifically during high-intensity workouts. Baking soda works by delaying the fatigue you may experience as your workout increases. Now that’s something we never expected!

Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease causes a gradual loss in the function of one’s kidneys. Functioning kidneys are so important for our health as they remove excess water and waste from our blood. Thankfully baking soda can slow the progression of this disease and can be consumed by taking supplements.

Kill Weeds

Keep those ugly weeds away from your home by sprinkling some baking soda in the cracks of your driveway and sidewalk. Repeat when needed and watch time go by without having to pull weeds out!

Clean The Microwave

Sprinkle a bit of baking soda onto a clean damp sponge. Rub it gently along the inside and outside the microwave and rinse well with warm water. After this, your microwave will look and smell like new with no harsh chemical residue left behind.

Melt Ice On Driveway

If you live somewhere with harsh winters, you know the pains- both emotionally and possibly physically- of having a driveway covered with a sheet of ice. If you find yourself in a bind and don’t have any road salt laying around, try sprinkling baking soda on the driveway. It’s not as strong as the salt, but it will still get the job done!

Cure Dandruff

If you’re suffering from dandruff and have tried everything you could possibly think of to cure it, we have another idea for you. Instead of using shampoo, for a few weeks simply massage your wet scalp with a handful of baking soda in the shower. Be sure to rinse it out really well!

Clean Your Hairbrush

To get your hairbrush or comb looking like new again, soak both of these items in a mixture of 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a small amount of warm water. Rinse off and dry completely before use.

Make Your Grill Sparkle

When summer and warm weather is right around the corner, there’s nothing better than going into the backyard for a family barbecue. After your grill has been sitting alone all winter, it’s going to need a nice deep clean to get back into tip-top shape. Put some baking soda on a damp brush, scrub the grate, then rinse. It’s that simple!

Make Your Floors Shine

If you have wood or tile floors, you know the pain of watching the shine fade away, and the hefty price tag that comes along with fixing it. To brighten a dull floor finish at home, dissolve 100g of baking soda in a bucket of warm water. Mop and rinse off, and see your floors shine.

Appliances Like New

After much use, appliances like your dishwasher or coffeemaker can start to not be so clean and fresh anymore. To fix this problem, clean the dishwasher and coffeemaker by running an empty cycle with a scoop of baking soda inside.

Litter Box

Cat lovers, this one is for you. Nobody wants their cat’s litter box to give off an odor throughout the house, but sometimes it seems impossible to find a solution. Just sprinkle some baking soda in the litter box, then add the litter on top to keep pet smells to a minimum.

Exfoliate

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love a good spa night, but sometimes you need to mix things up a bit. Try this: exfoliate your skin by creating a paste made up of three parts baking soda and one part water. Rub in gently with your fingertips in a circular motion, then rinse off with warm water.

Hair Treatment

Everyone’s goal is to have healthy, strong hair. To achieve this with a home remedy, mix a little bit of baking soda into your conditioner and lather on your hair. This will keep it healthy and resistant to those pesky split ends.

Trash Bin Miracle

There is absolutely nothing worse than opening up your trash can and being slapped with a horrible odor coming from deep down inside. To fix this awful problem, sprinkle a bit of baking soda at the bottom of your trash bag or bin. This will help eliminate gross smells.

Rain Repellent

Driving in the rain is bad enough, but driving in the rain when you have not-so-great windshield wipers can be impossible and quite dangerous. To help repel rain from your windshield, wipe a damp cloth sprinkled with bicarbonate of soda onto it. You’ll see the difference the next time you’re in the rain.

Chicken Pox Cure

If you’ve never had the chickenpox, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. If you have, you’ll know the pain and suffering that everyone has gone through! Help put the itchiness at bay by stirring half of a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Use a soft washcloth to put the mixture on the affected parts of the body and allow it to dry completely.

Clean Food Containers

We all know how quickly food containers can get stained and yucky. Between all of your packed lunches, pasta sauces, and soups, it’s no wonder your containers aren’t looking so great anymore. To make your containers shine again, sprinkle a clean sponge with baking soda and give them a good scrub and rinse.

Clean Your Sponges

What’s the point of cleaning your dishes with a filthy sponge? You always want to make sure the sponge you’re using is in its best shape. If your sponges have seen better days, leave them to soak in warm water and baking soda overnight and give them a good thorough rinse in the morning.

Pet Bed Odors

Everyone loves their pets more than anything in the world, but most people wish they could live without the odors that come along with these pets. If your dog or cat bed is getting to be a bit smelly, sprinkle it with some baking soda, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up. Your pet’s bed will smell like new.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are super common and super painful, but what’s the best way to ease the pain? We’ve found it: rinse your mouth with a baking soda mouthwash twice a day until the canker sore has gone away. It’s that simple!

Calluses

While calluses aren’t a serious health concern, they can cause pain and discomfort when applying pressure, like walking. Recently, studies have found that soaking your calluses in a baking soda bath may help soften them, remove any scabbing, and reduce discomfort.

Oil Or Grease Fire

Did you know that some fire extinguishers contain baking soda? Yep, that’s right! Baking soda reacts with the heat to produce carbon dioxide, which smothers and extinguishes the fire. This means that baking soda can sometimes be used to extinguish small oil and grease fires. However, don’t expect baking soda to extinguish large fires, as bigger fires absorb more oxygen and can counter the effects of baking soda. When in doubt, call for help.

Diaper Rash

No parent wants to see their child feeling any type of pain or discomfort, but unfortunately, sometimes diaper rash is inevitable. Creams and cures can be pricey, but here’s something much cheaper and just as effective: sprinkle a bit of baking soda into your baby’s bathwater. Let them soak in it for a while, and they’ll instantly feel relief.

Clean Walls

Kids have the wildest imaginations, and sometimes they think the world- and the house- really is their canvas. If your baby Picasso decides to draw all over the walls with their crayons, don’t fret, there’s a solution. Apply baking soda to a slightly wet cloth and rub it in lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth, and your walls will look clean again.

Cloth Diapers

If you are someone who uses cloth diapers on their baby, you likely know the struggle of cleaning them and making sure they’re sanitary for re-use. To keep your diapers in perfect shape, dissolve 1/2 cup of baking soda into 2 quarts of warm water and soak the diapers thoroughly before putting them through the wash.

Coat Closet Cleanliness

Have you ever opened up your coat closet in October for the first time since February and realized your jackets just aren’t smelling quite as fresh as you remembered? Place an open box on the shelf in your closet to keep these odors at bay and freshen the air and your jackets.

Keep Flowers Fresh

There’s nothing more heartwarming than receiving a bouquet from your loved one, but it’s always upsetting when these flowers die quickly. To keep them fresh for a bit longer, add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water in the vase. This will add a bit of life to them!

Shower Curtain

While shower curtains are relatively cheap, don’t be tempted to buy a new one each time yours gets dirty. Normally, they’re made of PVC, a very harmful material, and buying a new one can give off fumes and damage your health. Especially when you breathe them in a steaming hot shower. Believe it or not, cleaning shower curtains is easier than you think. Just grab some laundry detergent, 1 cup of baking soda, some light-colored towels, and 10 drops of tea tree oil (to kill any mold). Toss the curtain and the towels in the washing machine with the mixture on a 40-60 laundry cycle and everything should come out much cleaner.

Oil Spills

If you have some kind of oil stain you want to remove, whether it’s on a carpet, your shirt, or anywhere else in the house, use baking soda. It can absorb grease and oil on any kind of cloth. Before sprinkling some, scrape off any excess grease. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes and allow it to absorb the oil. After that, vacuum off the excess and wash the stained fabric in a cold cycle.

Cloth Furniture

With time, cloth furniture tends to absorb odors and weird scents. So, to keep your couches and chairs fresh, sprinkle some baking soda over them and leave it overnight. The next day, use a handheld vacuum or a regular one to get the residue off.

Vacuum Cleaners

Since baking soda has deodorizing properties, it can also work magic on vacuum cleaners. Just use a mixture of baking soda and water to wash off parts of the machine like the canister, the hose, and the filter. Just remember to rinse and dry them before using the vacuum.

Diamond Rings

Over time, the acidity from sweat and natural body oils can tarnish diamonds’ shine. Don’t run to buy toxic jewelry cleaner just yet, try soaking your rings, earrings, and other jewelry in this mixture. Combine hot water with 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Your jewelry will be restored to its original shine!

Dry Shampoo

Do you know what the main ingredient of most dry shampoos is? You probably guessed it – baking soda. Just make your own dry shampoo and save yourself some cash! Sprinkle a little bit of baking soda onto your hairbrush and brush through your hair. Leave it for five minutes, and then shake your fingers over your scalp to remove any residue. Aside from removing hair oils, the baking soda should add some volume as well!

Fabric Softener

A lot of the time, fabric softeners are full of chemicals that aren’t so good for you. Unsurprisingly, baking soda can replace this household item as well. Just add half a cup of baking soda to a rinse cycle to soften the clothes. It’s as simple as that!

Clean Fridge

We all know how refrigerators can really accumulate bad smells over time. To clean that out completely, leave a small open pot of baking soda in your fridge. Doing so will absorb any strong food odors. Occasionally, stir it so it continues to be effective. You’ll need to replace the batch with a new one every few weeks. If you want to be more thorough, wipe the shelves and walls with a damp cloth dipped in baking soda before wiping it all down with a cloth rinsed in warm water.

Remove Mold And Mildew

When you find yourself struggling with stubborn mildew stains on tiles and shower curtains in the bathroom, there’s an easy fix for that. Dampen a sponge and use some baking soda with it to scrub the mold off!

Tile Grout

Another common problem that can be seriously annoying to look at is tile grout. To clean that, form a paste that’s made of equal parts baking soda and water. Apply it along the grout in between all the tiles and allow it to soak for about 10 minutes. Then, use a toothbrush to gently scrub the grout and wipe over with a damp cloth.

Clean Children’s Toys

Plush toys tend to get really dirty very quickly. To freshen them up, put them all in a large plastic bag and add 100 gr of baking soda. Be sure to tie the top well, and then take it outside for a good shake. The baking soda will draw out the dust and remove any bad odors. Remove the toys from the bag and gently vacuum them.

Clean A Mattress

Freshen up your mattress with baking soda. Sprinkle some on the mattress, wait for 15 minutes or overnight. Then, vacuum it well. The baking soda will help draw out any dust, dirt, and get rid of bad smells, just like it does with carpets.

Patio Furniture

If you’re bringing your patio furniture out of storage in preparation for summer, spruce it up with a wipe down of baking soda and water on a cloth. If the furniture smells somewhat musty and dirty after spending the winter in the shed, sprinkle some baking soda on them and leave it for 15 minutes. Vacuum them gently afterward and you’re good to go!

Washing Machine

If you find that your clothes aren’t smelling good when they come out of the washing machine, it might be time to clean the machine itself. Nowadays, washing machines need to be cleaned more often than you think, especially if you have a front-loading model. Luckily, baking soda is the perfect natural cleanser for the inside of the machine. Start a large, hot load with no clothing in your washer and add baking soda and vinegar to get rid of any buildup and smelly mold.

Treat Athlete’s Foot

According to medical sources, a study found that baking soda has antifungal properties. It helped inhibit fungal growth in a variety of human skin and nail infections. It’s recommended to apply a baking soda paste to treat fungal infections on your feet or between your toes. Simply add one tablespoon to a bit of lukewarm water. Then, rub the paste on your infection before rinsing it off and drying it well. To top it off, apply some baby powder afterward to keep your feet free of any moisture.

Soften Skin

With weather changes sometimes our skin is the one to suffer. If you’re looking to bring revive your skin quality and give it that extra soft touch all you need is a bit of baking soda and warm water and apply it and then rinse. Your skin will be soft like a baby’s bottom in no time.

Jellyfish Sting

Nothing is worse than the jellyfish season. Especially when you get the alert while on vacation and you can’t enjoy going into the water because you’re afraid you’ll get stung. If you’re a brave one and end up getting stung just know that we have a solution for you. Apply baking soda to the area, and the pain will be relieved.

Relieve Bee-stings

Beestings are another thing we absolutely hate! We hear the pesty buzzing and run for the hills but somehow they little monsters still get to us. If you happen to suffer a nasty bee sting, it will be okay because baking soda is there to save the day.

Unblock Stuffy Nose

If you have a lingering cold and can’t seem to knock those stuffy noses, try this incredible hack. Mix 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water. Then use a bulb syringe or nasal irrigation kit to squirt water into your nose. Keep one nostril closed while you skirt the mixture into the other and then let it drain.

Modeling Clay

If you’re a fan of the arts and getting your hands dirty than we have a fun activity for you. Combine baking soda and cornstarch in a saucepan, then gradually add water and stir over medium heat for 4-5 minutes. It tends to thicken fast and will soon be like playdough.

Clean Ashtrays

Ashtrays can get pretty dirty especially if you’re a frequent smoker. Sometimes the ash from the cigarette burns can leave unwanted stains that can be removed with baking soda. If you add a layer of baking soda inside your ashtrays instead of sand, this will absorb the smell of your cigarette butts, which will be a relief to your non-smoking guests and clean thoroughly with water and baking soda to get the shine back.

Flowerbeds

You spend weeks on your garden and the last thing you want is unwanted rabbits coming and taking advantage of your hard work. Keep the unwanted visitors out by sprinkling baking soda on your flowerbeds, and nobody will be eating your veggies anymore.

Sports Drink

Sports drinks can be painfully expensive but why waste your money when you can make your own at home with boiled water, salt, and Kool-aid. This remedy will save you time and money so why not try it?

Remove Fishy Smell

Fish is a great source of protein and delicious. However, sometimes you can’t get passed that gross fishy odor. Removing this stench from your fish is easier than you think and can be achieved by soaking the raw fish in a baking soda solution for up to one hour inside the refrigerator.

UTI Treatment

Urinary tract infections can be painful. The most common treatments are cranberry juice or medications but it is not always great for your body to be constantly taking antibiotics. Have you ever heard of this amazing remedy that includes drinking a mixture of 1 tbsp of baking soda in 32 ounces of water? Give it a try!

Skunk Smell

Trying to get rid of skunk smells can be challenging because this smell tends to stick to your body. However, with this solution, you can be back to smelling good in no time. All you need to do is add baking soda to your bath and let the stench fade away.

Freshly-Brewed Tea

For a nice lunch on a hot summer day make a pitcher of freshly-brewed ice tea for the whole family to enjoy. One keynote is to add a dash of baking soda that will go along away. You will lessen the bitterness of the beverage and make it overall more enjoyable.

Bad Spray Tan

Going on vacation and thought it was a good idea to get some color before you go? Or worse, before a wedding? Don’t worry we are the professionals when it comes to bad spray tans and we know how to get rid of them! Just mix lemon juice and baking soda and we’ll have you back to normal coloring.

Clean Curling Iron

Your curling iron can get quite dirty when you are using it so often so try creating a paste made out of warm water and baking soda and clean off all the curling iron gunk instead of throwing your money away on a new on.

Freshen Luggage

Your luggage can get quite dirty when it’s being stored away so the best way to keep it smelling and looking fresh is sprinkling in some baking soda and vacuuming over it several hours later.