115 Uses For Baking Soda From WWII You Probably Didn’t Know
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Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a versatile household staple that extends beyond the kitchen. Its incredible versatility makes it a must-have item in your home. From cleaning and personal care to cooking and home remedies, baking soda can do it all. In this article, we’ll explore 115 amazing uses for baking soda, grouped into categories like Health & Beauty, Cooking, Household Cleaning, and Miscellaneous.
Health & Beauty:
- Natural Deodorant: Create a DIY deodorant by mixing baking soda with water to help neutralize odors.
- Toothpaste: Brush your teeth with baking soda to help whiten and clean them.
- Exfoliant: Combine with water to create a gentle exfoliating scrub for your skin.
- Sunburn Relief: Soothe sunburn by adding baking soda to a cool bath.
- Foot Soak: Relieve tired feet by soaking them in warm water with baking soda.
- Acne Treatment: Make a paste with water and apply to acne-prone areas to help clear skin.
- Insect Bite Relief: Create a paste and apply to insect bites for relief from itching.
- Shampoo Booster: Mix a pinch with your shampoo for a thorough scalp cleanse.
- Mouthwash: Gargle with a mixture of water and baking soda for fresh breath.
- Nail Care: Scrub your nails with a baking soda paste to remove stains.
- Hand Softener: Mix with water to create a hand scrub for softening rough skin.
- Hairbrush Cleaner: Soak hairbrushes in a baking soda solution to remove oils and residues.
- Blackhead Remover: Make a paste and apply to blackheads for a natural remedy.
- Canker Sore Relief: Rinse your mouth with a baking soda solution to ease discomfort.
- Razor Burn Relief: Apply as a soothing paste on irritated skin after shaving.
- Pedicure Soak: Add to warm water for an at-home pedicure soak.
- Mouth Ulcer Relief: Create a paste and apply to mouth ulcers for pain relief.
Cooking:
- Baking: It’s a leavening agent in baking recipes.
- Tenderizing Meat: Marinate meat with baking soda to make it more tender.
- Stain Remover: Use it to remove stubborn stains from cookware.
- Fluffier Omelets: Add a pinch to eggs for fluffier omelets.
- Coffee Pot Cleaner: Use baking soda to clean coffee pots and mugs.
- Crispier Veggies: Soak vegetables in a baking soda bath to keep them crisp.
- Fire Extinguisher: Baking soda can put out small grease fires.
- Homemade Pretzels: Use in the boiling water for making soft pretzels.
- Egg Substitute: Mix with vinegar as an egg substitute in vegan baking.
- Buttermilk Substitute: Combine with milk for a buttermilk alternative.
- Flavor Enhancer: Use a pinch in savory dishes to enhance flavors.
- Digestive Aid: Drink a glass of water with baking soda to relieve indigestion.
- Fruit & Vegetable Wash: Scrub and rinse produce with baking soda to remove pesticides.
- Homemade Sodas: Make fizzy homemade soda by adding it to flavored water.
- Pot and Pan Degreaser: Use as a natural degreaser for pots and pans by sprinkling and scrubbing with a sponge.
Household Cleaning:
- All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix with water to clean various surfaces in your home.
- Oven Cleaner: Sprinkle and scrub to remove oven grime.
- Drain Cleaner: Unclog drains by pouring baking soda followed by vinegar and hot water.
- Carpet Freshener: Sprinkle, let sit, and vacuum to deodorize carpets.
- Fridge Deodorizer: Place an open box in the refrigerator to absorb odors.
- Silver Polish: Create a paste with water and polish silverware.
- Laundry Booster: Enhance the cleaning power of your laundry detergent.
- Tile & Grout Cleaner: Scrub grout and tiles with a baking soda paste.
- Soap Scum Remover: Clean glass shower doors by scrubbing with baking soda.
- Car Battery Cleaner: Create a paste with water to clean car battery terminals.
- Stainless Steel Polish: Polish stainless steel appliances with a baking soda paste.
- Paint Brush Cleaner: Soak paintbrushes to remove dried paint.
- Fireplace Cleaner (Brick): Scrub soot and stains from fireplace bricks.
- Garbage Disposal Deodorizer: Pour down the disposal and run with water to eliminate odors.
- Rust Remover: Make a paste with water and scrub rusted items.
- Gum Remover: Remove gum from hair or fabric by applying a baking soda paste.
- Athletic Gear Deodorizer: Sprinkle in sports bags or shoes to remove odors.
- Grill Cleaner: Clean your barbecue grill by scrubbing with baking soda.
- Rust Preventer: Sprinkle in the bottom of trash cans to prevent rust.
- Mold and Mildew Remover: Create a paste to scrub away mold and mildew on tiles and grout.
- Pet Litter Box Deodorizer: Sprinkle in the litter box to absorb odors.
- Bathroom Freshener: Leave an open box in the bathroom to absorb odors.
Miscellaneous:
- Garden Fertilizer: Use it as a natural fertilizer for certain plants.
- Pool Alkalinity Adjuster: Maintain your pool’s pH balance.
- Ink Stain Remover: Apply a baking soda paste to remove ink stains.
- Homemade Playdough: Create homemade playdough with baking soda.
- Mattress Deodorizer: Sprinkle on the mattress, let sit, and vacuum to remove odors.
- Crayon Marks Remover: Wipe away crayon marks on walls with a baking soda paste.
- Outdoor Furniture Cleaner: Clean patio furniture with a baking soda solution.
- Pest Control: Sprinkle in garden beds to deter pests.
- Homemade Fireworks Fuse: In a pinch, it can be used to make a slow-burning fuse.
- Jewelry Cleaner: Clean jewelry by soaking it in a baking soda solution.
- Insect Repellent: Create a barrier by sprinkling it around your home’s perimeter.
- Fresh Flowers: Add a pinch to the vase water to extend the life of cut flowers.
- Athlete’s Foot Remedy: Soak feet in a baking soda solution to combat fungal infections.
- Emergency Fire Extinguisher: In small kitchen fires, sprinkle baking soda to put out flames.
- Silverfish Repellent: Sprinkle in dark corners to deter silverfish.
- DIY Air Freshener: Combine with essential oils for a homemade air freshener.
- Homemade Sports Drink: Mix with water, salt, and sugar to create a homemade sports drink for rehydration.
- Flavor-Preserver: Keep your vegetables vibrant by adding a pinch of baking soda to the cooking water.
- Stainless Steel Polish: Polish stainless steel appliances with a baking soda paste.
- Paint Brush Cleaner: Soak paintbrushes to remove dried paint.
- Fireplace Cleaner (Brick): Scrub soot and stains from fireplace bricks.
- Garbage Disposal Deodorizer: Pour down the disposal and run with water to eliminate odors.
- Rust Remover: Make a paste with water and scrub rusted items.
- Mold and Mildew Remover: Create a paste to scrub away mold and mildew on tiles and grout.
- Pet Litter Box Deodorizer: Sprinkle in the litter box to absorb odors.
- Bathroom Freshener: Leave an open box in the bathroom to absorb odors.
- Polish Coins: Use a baking soda paste to polish tarnished coins.
- BBQ Fire Starter: Place a layer at the bottom of your charcoal grill to help ignite the coals faster.
- Shoe Freshener: Sprinkle in shoes to remove unpleasant odors.
- Tackle Grease Stains: Apply a paste to clothing stained with grease before washing.
- Fish Tank Cleaner: Use baking soda to balance the pH levels in a fish tank.
- Boat and Watercraft Cleaner: Clean boat decks and watercraft with baking soda to remove algae and scum.
- Fire Ant Bite Relief: Apply a paste to fire ant bites to relieve itching.
- Alleviate Swimmer’s Itch: Create a soothing bath to help alleviate the discomfort of swimmer’s itch.
- Laundry Stain Remover: Mix with water to form a paste and apply it to tough stains before washing.
- Clean and Whiten Sports Equipment: Use baking soda to clean and whiten sports equipment like helmets, pads, and shoes.
- Stuffed Animal Refresher: Sprinkle stuffed animals with baking soda, let sit, and then brush off to refresh them.
- Improve Homegrown Tomatoes: Sprinkle a small amount at the base of tomato plants to sweeten the fruit.
- Homemade Fire Extinguisher: For small fires, toss a handful of baking soda to help suppress flames.
- Remove Labels and Stickers: Create a paste with water to easily remove labels and stickers from glass and plastic surfaces.
- BBQ Grill Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp brush to scrub and clean your BBQ grill grates.
- Outdoor Furniture Deodorizer: Remove odors from outdoor cushions and furniture by sprinkling with baking soda, letting it sit, and then brushing or vacuuming it off.
- Silverware Polisher: Create a paste with water and use it to polish tarnished silverware.
- Kitchen Sponge Reviver: Soak kitchen sponges in a baking soda and water solution to freshen and sanitize them.
- Fishy Odor Remover: Eliminate fishy odors from your hands by scrubbing them with baking soda after handling fish.
- Homemade Insect Trap: Create a DIY insect trap by mixing sugar and baking soda in a container, and attracting pests to it.
- Mildew Remover: Remove mildew from fabrics by scrubbing with a baking soda paste before washing.
- Water Softener: Add a small amount to your laundry to help soften hard water and improve detergent performance.
- Fridge Coil Cleaner: Use baking soda to clean the coils behind your refrigerator to improve its efficiency.
- Homemade Chalk: Make homemade chalk by mixing baking soda with water and tempera paint.
- Car Windshield Washer Fluid: In emergencies, add baking soda to water as a windshield washer fluid alternative.
- Homemade Bath Bombs: Create DIY bath bombs by combining baking soda with citric acid, Epsom salts, and essential oils.
- Natural Firework Fizz: Sprinkle a pinch on a wet cloth or sponge to create a fizzy reaction similar to fireworks.
- Sports Equipment Deodorizer: Sprinkle baking soda in gym bags, sneakers, and sports equipment to eliminate odors.
- Radiator Flush: Use a baking soda solution to flush your car’s radiator and remove rust and deposits.
- Baking Soda Slime: Create fun and safe slime by mixing baking soda with glue and contact lens solution.
- Homemade Insect Repellent: Mix baking soda with water and a few drops of essential oil to repel insects when applied to skin.
- Homemade Sidewalk Chalk: Make homemade sidewalk chalk by mixing baking soda with cornstarch and water.
- Grout Whitener: Apply a baking soda paste to grout lines to brighten and whiten them.
- Hand Sanitizer: Mix baking soda with water to create a homemade hand sanitizer.
- Odor-Free Cat Litter: Sprinkle baking soda in your cat’s litter box to neutralize odors.