Baking soda is a useful all-purpose item due to its wide variety of uses, from cleaning countertops to oral care. here is a complete list of domestic uses.
1. mouthwash
Mouthwash is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine, reaching the corners of your mouth and crevices in your teeth, gums and tongue that you may miss when brushing.
Many people use baking soda as a replacement for mouthwash. some studies show it can help freshen breath and even exert antibacterial and antimicrobial properties (2).
While one study found that baking soda mouthrinse did not significantly reduce oral bacteria levels, it did increase saliva pH levels, which is important for inhibiting bacterial growth (3).
>
To make your own baking soda mouthwash, add 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) of baking soda to half a glass (120 ml) of warm water, then swish as usual.
2. teeth whitener
Baking soda is a popular home remedy for teeth whitening.
Many studies have found that toothpaste containing baking soda is better at whitening teeth and removing plaque than toothpaste without baking soda (4, 5, 6).
This is likely because baking soda has mild abrasive properties that can break the bonds of molecules that stain teeth. it also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which can help fight harmful bacteria (2, 7).
3. deodorant
Surprisingly, human sweat is odourless.
Sweat only takes on an odor after it has been broken down by underarm bacteria. these bacteria convert sweat into acidic waste products, which give it its odor (8, 9).
Baking soda is often used as a natural deodorant to deodorize sweat by making its odors less acidic, although there is limited research on whether this strategy works.
Try applying baking soda to your underarms or mixing it with a little coconut oil, shea butter, or cornstarch to create a homemade deodorant.
4. refrigerator odor neutralizer
Have you ever opened your refrigerator to a surprisingly unpleasant smell?
chances are that some food in your refrigerator has been left out longer than expected and has started to spoil. this smell can linger long after the refrigerator has been emptied and cleaned.
Baking soda can help freshen up a smelly refrigerator by neutralizing bad odors. interestingly, it removes odor particles instead of just masking their smell (10).
To try this trick, fill a cup with baking soda and place it in the back of your refrigerator.
5. air freshener
Not all commercial air fresheners eliminate bad odors. instead, some simply release fragrance molecules that mask other odors.
Also, less than 10% of air fresheners offer a list of ingredients. this is problematic if you are sensitive to chemicals that can be found in air fresheners (11).
Baking soda is a safe alternative to commercial air fresheners as it contains no industrial chemicals and neutralizes odor particles (12).
To create an air freshener with baking soda, you need:
- a small jar
- 1/3 cup (74 grams) baking soda
- 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oils
- a piece of cloth or paper
- a string or ribbon
- ovens
- stained coffee cups
- stained marble
- grease stains
- kitchen tiles
- clogged drains
- tarnished silver
- microwave
- countertops
- cover the carpet stain with a thin layer of baking soda.
- Fill an empty spray bottle with a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water and spray over the stained area.
- wait up to 1 hour or until surface dries.
- scrub the baking soda with a brush and vacuum up the residue.
- The stain should now be completely removed. if baking soda residue remains on the carpet, wipe it off with a damp towel.
- bathroom tiles
- toilets
- showers
- bathtubs
- bathroom sinks
- an aluminum baking sheet or foil-lined baking dish
- 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) baking soda
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) white vinegar
Add the baking soda and essential oils to the jar. Cover it with the fabric or paper, then secure it in place with the string and place it in your living room, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. when the scent begins to fade, shake the jar.
6. bleaching agent for clothes
Baking soda is an inexpensive way to whiten and clean clothes.
That’s because it’s an alkali, a soluble salt, which can help remove dirt and stains. based on previous research, an alkali like baking soda works by interacting with acids in stains when dissolved in water (13).
To try it out, add 1/2 cup (110 grams) of baking soda to your usual amount of laundry detergent. It also helps soften the water, so you may need less detergent than usual.
7. kitchen cleaner
The versatility of baking soda makes it an excellent kitchen cleaner. when mixed with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar, it can also help control the growth of harmful microorganisms, such as mold or bacteria (14).
To use baking soda in your cooking, make a paste by mixing baking soda with an equal amount of lemon juice and a little water. apply the paste to the desired surface with a sponge or cloth and rub thoroughly.
Here are some kitchen appliances, items, and surfaces you can clean with baking soda:
8. garbage odor eliminator
Full garbage bags often have a putrid odor because they contain decomposing waste. if it’s particularly gross, this smell can spread to your kitchen and other areas of your home.
Fortunately, baking soda can help remove odors from garbage by neutralizing acidic odor molecules.
In fact, research shows that sprinkling baking soda on the bottom of trash cans can reduce trash odor by 70% (12).
9. carpet stain remover
A combination of baking soda and vinegar can remove the toughest carpet stains.
Mixing baking soda and vinegar creates a compound called carbonic acid, which is a common ingredient in cleaning products. this reaction creates a lot of bubbles, which can help break down tough stains (15).
Here’s how you can remove carpet stains with just baking soda and vinegar:
10. multi-purpose bathroom cleaner
Like kitchens, bathrooms can be difficult to clean. they have a variety of surfaces that you use frequently and therefore need to be cleaned often.
While there are numerous commercial bathroom cleaners, many people prefer more natural and cost-effective cleaning options. Baking soda is useful because it whitens and disinfects many bathroom surfaces, although it is less effective than commercial cleaners (14).
Here are some surfaces you can clean with baking soda:
Make a paste with baking soda and a little water. Using a sponge or cloth, rub the mixture well onto the surface to be cleaned, then wipe the surface 15-20 minutes later with a damp cloth.
11. pesticide remover for fruits and vegetables
Many people are concerned about pesticide residues in food. Pesticides are used to protect crops from insects, germs, rodents, and weeds, but many have harmful effects on human health.
peeling fruit is the best way to remove pesticides. however, it also means you’re missing out on important nutrients, like fiber, vitamins, and minerals, found in the skin of many fruits.
Interestingly, recent research indicates that a washing with baking soda is the most effective way to remove pesticides from fruits and vegetables without peeling them.
One study found that soaking apples in a solution of baking soda and water for 12 to 15 minutes removed nearly all pesticide residue (16).
Note that this method does not remove pesticides that have penetrated the skin of the fruit or vegetable. furthermore, more research is needed to see if this works for other types of products.
12. cutlery polisher
Baking soda is a practical alternative to commercial silver polishes. you just need a few extra ingredients:
Add the baking soda to the aluminum baking pan and slowly pour in the vinegar. then pour in the boiling water, then place the silver on the baking tray.
The tarnish should start to wear off almost immediately. you can remove most silverware from the pan in 30 seconds, but severely tarnished silverware may need to remain in the mixture for up to 1 minute.
In this mix, the silver undergoes a chemical reaction with the aluminum pan and baking soda. transfers silverware tarnish to the foil pan and may create a pale yellow residue on the bottom of the pan (17).
13. charred pot cleaner
It’s easy to inadvertently burn the bottom of a pot while cooking.
These can be a nightmare to clean, but you can easily save a burnt pot with baking soda and water.
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the bottom of the pot and add enough water to cover any burned areas. bring the mixture to a boil and empty the saucepan as usual.
If any stains or burnt food particles remain, take a scouring pad, add a small amount of liquid detergent and remove carefully.
14. oil and grease fire extinguisher
Interestingly, some fire extinguishers contain baking soda.
These types, known as dry chemical fire extinguishers, are used to extinguish oil, grease, and electrical fires. baking soda reacts with heat to produce carbon dioxide, which smothers the fire.
As such, you can use baking soda to extinguish small oil and grease fires (18).
However, don’t expect baking soda to put out larger house fires. These fires draw in more oxygen and easily neutralize the effects of the baking soda.
15. homemade herbicide
Weeds often have deep roots, making them difficult to eradicate without using chemical herbicides.
In particular, baking soda is a cheaper and safer alternative. That’s because baking soda is high in sodium, which creates a hostile environment for weeds.
Sprinkle a few handfuls of baking soda over weeds in areas like sidewalk cracks or your driveway. however, avoid using baking soda to kill weeds in your flower beds and gardens, as it can harm other plants as well.
16. shoe deodorant
Baking soda is a great remedy for freshening up smelly shoes. that’s because it can counteract bad odors.
Pour 2 tablespoons (9 grams) of baking soda onto 2 cheesecloths or thin pieces of cloth. secure the fabrics with a rubber band or string and attach one to each shoe.
remove the bags of baking soda when you want to put on your shoes.
