34 Household Uses of Baking Soda That Can Replace Dozens of Other Products : The Hearty Soul

I’m sure you’ve used baking soda for cleaning and baking, but chances are you’re missing out on baking soda’s full potential. This inexpensive household staple was originally popularized by Arm & Hammer over 150 years ago, but did you know the Ancient Egyptians also used it for cleaning? This list goes through just some of the countless uses of baking soda.

Use it as a toothpaste

While some kinds of toothpaste may feature baking soda as an ingredient, did you know you can simply use baking soda? Just by dipping your toothbrush (natural toothpaste optional) into some baking soda, you can get its full whitening and freshening benefits without all the chemicals!

Use it as a mouthwash

Young woman gargling while using mouthwash from a glass — *Credit: Shutterstock*

The same idea behind using it as a toothpaste, baking soda can be used to neutralize bad breath. Simply add a teaspoon to a glass of water and swirl it around your mouth, spit, and rinse.

Use it to keep your hair healthy

Young woman applying coconut oil onto her hair in bathroom — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Using apple cider vinegar in your hair has been all the rage lately. When used alongside baking soda, you’ve got a formidable natural alternative to store-bought shampoo and conditioner!

Use it as a deodorant

A young woman who wipes the gums under her armpits under concern. Hyperhidrosis — *Credit: Shutterstock*

I’m sure you’ve put baking soda in the fridge to keep things fresh. This is because baking soda reacts to many odor-causing compounds causing them to be less potent. The same principle can be applied to using baking soda as a deodorant for your underarms and feet. Just lightly pat it on your underarms and you’re set!

Use it to relieve diaper rash

happy baby lying on white sheet and holding his legs — *Credit: Shutterstock*

A baby with an itchy bottom can be treated with baking soda in the bath. You can also mix warm water and baking soda together, soak a washcloth, and wash the baby’s skin this way. Make sure to pat dry as rubbing can irritate the skin.

Use it as a daily mild exfoliant

Cheerful asian young woman, beauty girl hand applying foam cleanser for washing on her face, clean fresh healthy skin care, exfoliation scrub soap with cleansing product. Skincare spa relax concept. — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Mixing three parts baking soda with one part water will give you a refreshing facial and body scrub. Gently rub in a circular motion and rinse. This can be used daily to remove dead skin cells.

Use it as an antacid

Close up of woman hand pouring baking soda in drinking glass with water and lemon juice, health benefits for digestive system concept. — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Mixing a half teaspoon of baking soda with a half cup of water can relieve heartburn and acid build-up in the stomach.

Treat your feet to a relaxing soak

Woman put spoon of baking soda in bath with hot water for her feet. Homemade bath soak for dry feet skin. — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Three tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water is enough to make your own soothing foot soak.

Use as a gentle hand cleanser

Washing hands rubbing with soap man for corona virus prevention, hygiene to stop spreading coronavirus. — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Some soaps can be unbelievably harsh on the skin. You can make a gentle paste with three parts baking soda and one part water. Use this to clean and deodorize your hands much better than many store-bought soaps.

Treat itchy skin and insect bites

asian young woman has dry skin and scratches her shoulder while she sitting in hot spring — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Rub some baking soda into itchy spots after a shower or work it into a paste to provide soothing relief for insect bites.

Deodorize your cutting board

spoon of cooking soda on wooden cutting board — *Credit: Shutterstock*

If you cook often, your cutting board can have scents (think chopped onions and minced garlic) sticking to it. You can sprinkle baking soda onto your cutting board, scrub it in, and then rinse to get rid of any odors.

Deodorize trash containers

Man throwing out black eco-friendly recyclable trash bag in to big plastic green garbage container. Take out the trash — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of your trash containers to get rid of the foul smell (I’m sure we all know what’s like!).

Keep sports gear smelling fresh

Beautiful satisfied athletic young woman in sportswear sitting on bench in locker room at gym, packing sports equipment in gym bag after finished workout fitness training session, preparing to go home — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Sprinkle baking soda into gym bags and helmets to neutralize the odor.

Deodorize lunch boxes and bags

Caring mother puts yellow plastic lunch box to her son in a school backpack. School food or lunch, concept image. Selective focus, close-up. — *Credit: Shutterstock*

When not being used, keep a small container of baking soda in lunch boxes and bags to absorb odors.

Freshen up your carpets

Close-up Of Vacuum Cleaner Cleaning Dirt On Carpet — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Generously sprinkle baking soda on your carpets and let this sit overnight before sweeping and vacuuming. This will deodorize your rugs which can carry scents for extended periods of time.

Freshen closets and pantry

pantry and mudroom with white walls shelving hardwood floor — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Place a box of baking soda in your pantry and closets to keep them smelling fresh.

Deodorize pet bedding

A cute yellow Labrador is lying on the dog bed. Light background. The dog sleeps on the Plush Fleecy Pet Cave — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Just like our own beds, pet bedding needs to be cleaned regularly. Sprinkle baking soda on the bedding generously, let it sit (the longer the better), and then vacuum well.

Give stuffed animals a long-needed refresher

Close up of teddy bear in arms of child. Happy smiling little girl kid holding, hugging toy, playing with plush soft friend. Cropped portrait. Childhood, preschooler, playtime, childcare concept — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Just like pillows, stuffed animals come in contact with odors, oils, and dirt from the skin and the environment. Treat them to a baking soda sprinkle and brush off after 15 minutes.

Make a safer air freshener

Woman spraying air freshener at home — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with distilled water and a few drops of your preferred essential oil to make an air freshener without all of the chemicals.

Deodorize shoes

shoes and baking soda. Deodorizing image of shoes. — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Shoes might be one of the first things people think about when it comes to foul odors. Regularly shake baking soda into them between uses to keep odors away.

Clean hairbrushes and combs

Master hairdresser Tools for hair disinfection, cleaning in sink. Washes cleavage, clips from debris. — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Remove the oils and grime that build up on your hair brushes and combs by soaking them in a teaspoon of baking soda and warm water. Afterward, rinse and allow to dry before using again.

Clean the microwave

Woman cleaning microwave oven with brush, baking, soda and vinegar at home — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Add baking soda to a damp sponge to clean and deodorize this frequently used kitchen appliance.

Freshen up your sponges

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After regular use, sponges can take on a stale smell. Soak them in warm water with 4 tablespoons of baking soda to make them just like new.

Remove stains and smells from coffee and teapots

Coffee stain on white background — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Wash mugs and pots in a solution of ¼ cup baking soda and 1 qt. of warm water to remove stains and scents. Use this solution with detergent as an overnight soak for more stubborn stains.

Make your floors shine

Cropped image of beautiful young woman in protective gloves using a flat wet-mop while cleaning floor in the house — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Remove accumulated grime from your floors with a half cup of baking soda in a bucket of warm water. Optionally, you can add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to this floor cleaner.

Clean shower curtains

Woman cleaning bathtub curtain using rag cloth and soap spray — *Credit: Shutterstock*

As showers can be a high moisture environment, keeping everything around it clean is important. Your shower curtains are no exception. Sprinkle and scrub baking soda onto vinyl shower curtains, rinse, and then hang to dry.

Add to laundry detergent to give cleaning a boost

Close up hand adding baking soda powder in to front-loading washing machine for clean inside the washer drum. — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Amplify the cleaning power of your laundry detergent by adding a half cup of baking soda to your laundry.

Fill holes in a wall

Holes and cracks in a wall are filled with filler or gypsum — *Credit: Shutterstock*

As odd as it may sound, a mixture of white toothpaste and baking soda will make an effective plaster to fill holes in your walls.

Polish silverware

Female hand cleaning spotty silverware with a cleaning product and a cloth,Close up woman hand cleaning silver spoon,polished silver — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Rub baking soda and water paste onto a clean cloth to make an effective polish for your silverware. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

Remove those tough-to-clean grease and oil stains

Auto mechanic working on car engine in mechanics garage. Repair service. authentic close-up shot — *Credit: Shutterstock*

If you’ve got oil stains on your driveway or in your garage, you know just how tough they can be to remove. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and scrub with water.

Use it as a scrub for fresh fruits and vegetables

Marketplace with vegetables in Barcelona market, Spain — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Baking soda makes for a safe scrub that’ll get rid of dirt, bacteria, and pesticides on fresh fruits and veggies. Simply sprinkle onto a clean wet sponge, scrub, and rinse.

Extend the life of flowers

Beautiful bouquet of tulips in glass vase on white marble table. Space for text — *Credit: Shutterstock*

A teaspoon of baking soda in a vase of water is enough to make your flowers last longer.

Reduce the bloat from beans

Pump;kin Seeds Cleaned Washed Soaked Activated Prepared in water before Planting Soaking Seeds with Gardening Closeup Agriculture Healthy Food Concept — *Credit: Shutterstock*

Add a teaspoon of water to beans while soaking to make them less heavy on the digestion.

Get rid of the bitterness in tea

Add a pinch of baking soda to freshly brewed tea to neutralize the bitter taste from oversteeping.