Baking soda is a necessity if you’re whipping up a batch of cookies or searching for a natural way to deodorize your refrigerator. But did you know that there are hundreds of other reasons you’ll want to keep a box of this inexpensive mineral in every room of your home?
Freshen breath
Simply mix 1 tsp of baking soda in a glass of warm water and swish in your mouth for 30 seconds. Spit and rinse with water. This solution helps battle halitosis and keeps your mouth feeling clean and fresh.
Exfoliate
Mixing three parts baking soda with one part water will create a fantastic gentle exfoliating paste. Rub gently into the desired area and rinse with warm water. Use this on any part of your body or focus on rough spots like your elbows and knees. You can even use it on your face!
Toothpaste
Dip a wet toothbrush in baking soda once a week and brush teeth after using regular toothpaste to help whiten and remove stuck-on plaque from teeth. Avoid using baking soda daily as there is some concern that it may erode teeth enamel.
Shampoo booster
Add a sprinkle of baking soda to your shampoo before lathering it in hair. Shampoo and rinse normally. This will help strip hair of built-up oils and residue from other products and leave your locks feeling clean and light.
Soothe tired feet
Find a container that is large enough to fit both your feet. Dissolve 3 Tbsp baking soda in warm, but not scalding, water and soak for 15 minutes. Gently scrub feet with more backing soda while soaking, if desired.
Freshen car interior
Sprinkle baking soda over any car interior or fabric seats that have stains or trapped in odors. Let sit for 15 minutes and vacuum thoroughly.
Handwash pots and pans
Add three Tbsp to your dishwater, along with soap, to help remove tough grease and stuck on food from pots and pans. Let dishes soak in solution, or clean immediately with a cloth or sponge covered in baking soda. This is a simple, scratch-free scrubbing solution!
Fruit and vegetable scrub
Fruits and vegetables, especially non-organic ones are exposed to tons of harsh chemicals and pesticides on their way to your fridge. Be sure to take the time to scrub them clean before eating. Pour a little baking soda on a scrub brush or clean sponge to get any lingering dirt and debris off your fruit and veggies. Also, try to purchase organic whenever possible.
Clean crayon marks
When you have little kids running around, you are bound to come across crayon or some other stain on the wall at some point. Baking soda on a damp cloth can help remove these stubborn stains from even the whitest of walls.
Boost laundry detergent
Add ½ cup of baking soda to your load of laundry, along with regular detergent to help balance the pH in your wash and get your clothes whiter. This also helps keep nasty laundry from smelling up your washing machine.
Deodorize Drains
Pour ½ cup of baking soda down your kitchen sink while warm tap water is running. It is a good idea to do this to dispose of the baking soda from your fridge when it is time for a new box.
Deodorize litter boxes
I’ll say it…cat litter boxes smell. Usually pretty bad. No matter how often you clean out your furry friend’s toilet box, it continues to stink up your home. Next time you change out the cat litter, line the bottom with a layer of baking soda then fill with litter as normal. Sprinkle with baking soda in between litter changes to decrease odor.
Microwave cleanup
Microwaves can quickly build up all sorts of nasty gunk. Use a sponge covered in baking soda to clean the inside and outside of your microwave without harsh chemicals.
Bath booster
Add ½ cup baking soda to warm, running bath water and relax for 30 minutes. This will help balance the pH of your skin and leave it feeling soft and smooth.
Insect Bites
Bug bites, particularly mosquito bites can be irritating and incredibly itchy. To help alleviate the itching, mix baking soda and water until it forms a thick paste. Apply to affected area and let dry. Then wipe off with a damp washcloth.
-Susan Patterson