Baking Soda’s Many Uses: Home, Health, and Beauty

Odor Neutralizer for the Fridge

Nasty odors in the home are never nice and in some cases are inevitable. Luckily baking soda is a great odor neutralizer!

Healthline says baking soda actually “eliminates odor particles rather than just masking their smell.” To use it in the fridge, fill a cup or bowl with baking soda and place it at the back of your fridge. Remember to replace it with fresh baking soda at least every 3-months.

Odor Neutralizer for the Garbage and Your Shoes

To reduce the gross odor coming from your garbage bin, sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of the bin. This study showed that when doing this, it reduced the odor by 70-percent!

Finally, to help eliminate odors from stinky shoes, place 2-tablespoons of baking soda into 2 cheesecloths (or thin fabric), secure the fabric closed, and then place a bag in each shoe.

Clean Your Teeth

Running low on toothpaste? Baking soda can help! Good Housekeeping points out that baking soda “is already an ingredient in many natural toothpaste alternatives.”

So to use it, you simply need to wet your toothbrush then rub the brush in baking soda before brushing your teeth. The source also notes baking soda doesn’t include fluoride (which helps prevent cavities) so you may want to save this hack for when you’re in a pinch!

Whiten Your Teeth

Using baking soda in place of regular toothpaste isn’t the only way you can use it to benefit your oral health. It may also help whiten your teeth.

Healthline says, “Baking soda has natural whitening properties and has been shown to be effective at removing stains on your teeth and whitening your smile.” Since it’s mildly abrasive it has the ability to help remove stains from the outside of your teeth.

Mouthwash

Speaking of oral hygiene, baking soda can also be used as a replacement for mouthwash! Mouthwash is a great product because it can reach small crevices in your mouth that your toothbrush misses.

Some studies say baking soda can help freshen your breath and contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties while another study says it can increase the pH level of your saliva which may help inhibit bacterial growth.

Making a homemade mouthwash is easy! Combine 1/2-teaspoon of baking soda with half a glass of warm water and gargle.

Freshen Dentures

If you wear dentures you know how important it is to take care of them, including keeping them clean. Baking soda is an inexpensive and effective way to freshen your dentures.

Combine 2-teaspoons of baking soda with 1-cup of warm water and allow your dentures to soak in the water. If you need a more thorough clean, you can brush the dentures with your toothbrush and more baking soda. Keep in mind, this is also an effective method for mouth guards and retainers.

Natural Stain Remover

Let’s face it, accidents do happen and before you accept that stubborn carpet stain, you’ve got to try using baking soda. The secret is to combine it with vinegar. Healthline says, “mixing baking soda and vinegar creates a compound called carbonic acid, which is a common ingredient in cleaning products.” When the two ingredients are mixed, they create fizz and may break down those stubborn stains.

The source says to start by covering the stain with a thin layer of baking soda. Then combine a 1 to 1 mixture of vinegar and baking soda in a spray bottle and spray over the stain. Allow the solution to sit on the stain for about an hour or until it dries and then scrub it loose and vacuum the residue. If any residue remains, wipe it with a damp cloth.

Wash Your Produce With It

While pesticides help protect crops from harmful pests, many of us don’t want the residue on our produce. Luckily, washing your produce is an effective way at removing it and baking soda can help.

One study examined the effects of a baking soda solution (baking soda and water) with apples and it found that after soaking the apples in the solution for 12 to 15-minutes, it removed almost all the pesticide residue. Healthline points out that this method won’t work for pesticides that have penetrated the produce’s skin and more research is needed to test the effectiveness on other types of fruits and vegetables. Nonetheless, it’s still an inexpensive hack worth trying.

Whiten Your Laundry

The next time you do your laundry, skip the bleach and use baking soda instead! Baking soda is an effective ingredient to whiten your laundry without all the harmful chemicals.

To use it in your laundry routine, add 1/2-cup of baking soda to your laundry detergent. Healthline points out that baking soda does soften the water which means you may need less laundry detergent than normal.

Natural Deodorant

Sweating is a natural and necessary process. Its main function is to control your body temperature but knowing that doesn’t make body odor any more desirable. Did you know sweat is actually odorless? Healthline explains, sweat only becomes smelly after it’s broken down by the bacteria in your armpits, converting it to acidic waste.

If you’re in a pinch and don’t have your favorite deodorant stick on hand, baking soda can help! Simply pat some baking soda onto your armpits or make a homemade deodorant by combining it with coconut oil or shea butter.

DIY Exfoliator

Exfoliating your skin a couple of times per week can help get rid of dirt and oil buildup as well as reduce dullness. The good news is you don’t need an expensive exfoliator to get the job done. Since baking soda is mildly abrasive, this makes it a great ingredient to use when making a homemade exfoliator.

To make the exfoliator, combine three parts baking soda to one part of water, for example, 3-teaspoons baking soda and 1-teaspoon water. Rub the mixture on your face in circular motions and then rinse with clean water. Just be sure to rub carefully around your eyes.

DIY Hair Clarifier

Have you heard of a clarifying shampoo? If not, it might be time you add it to your hygiene routine. Hair products like hairspray, mousse, or gel, as well as minerals from hard water, or harsh chemicals such as chlorine from the swimming pool can all build up on the scalp. A clarifying shampoo’s job is to remove this build-up.

The good news is you don’t have to invest in an expensive bottle of clarifying shampoo. Simply add 1-teaspoon of baking soda with your favorite shampoo to make a homemade clarifier. WebMD says, “your hair won’t just be cleaner, it may become easier to style, too.”

May Help Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux symptoms are not pleasant with the most common being a burning sensation in the chest (also known as heartburn). Luckily baking soda is an effective home remedy that may be able to help soothe your symptoms!

“Sodium bicarbonate helps fight the extra acid that might rise from your stomach up to your throat and even your mouth after you eat,” explains WebMD. To make a homemade antacid combine 1/2-teaspoon of baking soda with 1/2-cup of water and drink the solution.

Bathroom Cleaner

Keeping your bathroom clean is no easy feat from soap scum to toothpaste stains and beyond. Skip the harsh chemicals and give your bathroom a thorough clean using baking soda! Baking soda can be effective for cleaning tiles, toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks.

Baking soda not only can help whiten surfaces like grout, but it can also disinfect — an essential part of cleaning a bathroom. To use it as a cleaner, create a paste by combining baking soda with a splash of water. Using a cloth or sponge, rub the mixture on your surfaces and allow it to sit for 15 to 20-minutes. Then wipe it away with a damp cloth.