So, let’s have fun, save money, and clean smarter. Do you realize that there are many items in your kitchen that can be used for multiple purposes? But one that’s probably sitting at the back of your fridge and stands out above the rest is baking soda.
Yes, that’s right, simple, every day, right out of your pantry baking soda.
Baking Soda Uses
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is widely used in baking. This is because it has leavening properties, meaning it causes dough to rise by producing carbon dioxide.
Yeah, not exactly enticing but I still love fresh baked bread with a slice of butter – yummy! Besides cooking, baking soda has a variety of additional household uses and health benefits.
I’m betting you have searched Google for baking soda uses in cooking. And if you’re like me, you’ve also been peeping on Pinterest for baking soda uses in cleaning.
Don’t worry! I got you covered.
Here are tenways you can use baking soda that go beyond simply adding it to your favorite baked goods recipe:
Unclog Your Drain
Did you know that you can use baking soda as earth-friendly alternative to unclog your drain? You sure can! It’s simple to do, less expensive than the store-bought product, and just as effective.
Here’s what you do: Pour one cup of regular table salt, one cup of baking soda, and half a cup of plain white vinegar down the drain. Leave it alone for 15 minutes and then pour two quarts of boiling water into the sink. Follow this by running the hot water into the sink for at least one minute.
You’ll be amazed how effectively this combination works. The drains will be clean and you won’t have added anything toxic to the drain system.
Stain Remover
Baking soda, when mixed with salt, is also an effective stain remover and scouring powder. Mix one cup of baking powder with one cup of salt. Then use this mixture the same way you would any other scouring powder.
Again, an effective mixture that is less harmful to the environment.
Carpet Maintenance
If you have a carpet stain, you can sprinkle a little baking soda on top of it, allow it sit for 10 minutes and it may help. You can also pour a little vinegar and sprinkle the baking soda on top. Many folks believe that this extracts the stain.
When the time is up, vacuum away any stale odors that may have settled in your carpet. Hopefully, it works for you.
Dishwashing Booster
Do you need to deep-clean your funky-smelling dishwasher? Consider adding a little baking soda to your dishwasher the next time you’re loading it.
Put 1 cup of baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher and run it on a rinse cycle. If the smell persists, sprinkle a few tablespoons on the bottom of the washer to sit there between loads.
There’s no need to rinse it out before running the next load. The baking soda will also give your cleaner an extra boost to get your dishes sparkling clean.
First Aid
A baking soda bath is often recommended to soothe itchy skin, sunburns and to treat stings. Make a poultice of baking soda and water then put it on the bee sting. This will ease the pain in no time.
Also, adding two teaspoons of baking soda to lukewarm bath water will help ease the pain of chicken pox.
Pet Care
Does your cat’s box smell? Thoroughly clean the litter box, let dry in the sun, and then sprinkle enough baking soda in the bottom to cover. Now add your litter.
The baking soda has a deodorizing effect and will help absorb the odors.
Fire Emergencies
Have you ever had a small grease fire on the stove when cooking? And did you know that some fire extinguishers actually contain baking soda?
Known as dry chemical fire extinguishers, they are used to extinguish oil, grease and electrical fires.
Amazingly, baking soda reacts with the heat to produce carbon dioxide, which snuffs or extinguishes the fire.
Simply sprinkle baking soda to extinguish the small oil or grease fire.
Yet, don’t expect baking soda to extinguish larger house fires. Larger fires draw in more oxygen and can counter the effects of baking soda.
Laundry Treatment
Perhaps this may be one of my favorite baking soda uses. I’ve discovered that baking soda is an inexpensive way to whiten and clean your laundry. Making an equal mixture of baking soda and laundry detergent will stretch your detergent and make your laundry smell fresh.
It also helps soften the water, which means you may need less detergent than usual.
Neutralize Fridge Odors
Baking soda is a powerful deodorizer. So, if your refrigerator has a sour odor, place an open box of baking soda in the back of your fridge to absorb those odors.
Don’t forget to change the box once a month to keep your refrigerator odor free.
Multipurpose Bathroom Cleaner
Yes darling, like kitchens, bathrooms can be difficult to clean. They have a variety of surfaces that are frequently used and thus need to be cleaned often.
Although a variety of commercial bathroom cleaners are available, many families prefer green cleaning products. They’re a more natural and cost-effective cleaning option. Because it can whiten and disinfect many bathroom surfaces, baking soda comes in handy.
The more common surfaces you can clean with baking soda are:
- Bathtubs & sinks
- Showers
- Bathroom tiles
- Toilet bowls
First, make a paste using baking soda and a bit of water. Next, using a sponge or a cloth, rub the mixture thoroughly onto the surface you want to clean. Lastly, wipe down the surface 15–20 minutes later with a damp cloth.
The Bottom Line
Baking soda is truly a multi-purpose item. It is a versatile ingredient that has many uses besides making your biscuits light and fluffy.
You can sort out the stinky dishwasher with a baking soda wash. Use it as a produce wash, a natural cleaner, to safely clean pots and pans, to wash clothes and care for bug bites.
Additionally, baking soda is inexpensive and widely available. Therefore, I guess you’ll be grabbing a box of baking soda during your next visit to the local grocery store.
I truly hope you found this article helpful and urge you to share this information with everyone you know. Undoubtedly, there are much more amazing baking soda uses. So, the next time you need to freshen your breath, remove a tough stain or odor, reach for the baking soda.
