I’ve said this before but my favorite money saving tip is to use a product for more then what it was originally intended for. I did a post on the many use of vinegar so now I thought it was best to give a turn to another favorite all purpose product, Baking Soda. Here are almost 60 uses for this great, versatile, inexpensive product.
KITCHEN:
1. Deodorize and Clean Dishwashers
Sprinkle a handful of baking soda on the dishes or in the bottom of the dishwasher to absorb food odors. Also run your dishwasher through its cycle with soda in it instead of soap to give it a good cleaning.
2. Deodorizing Fridges and Freezers But an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors. You can also clean your fridge and freezer with dry soda sprinkled on a damp cloth. rinse with clear water.
3. Clean & Deodorize Plastic Containers
For even tougher odors & stains on plastic containers, just soak items in a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda solution in 1 quart warm water. Also wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers with baking soda and water to get rid of stale smells.
4. Cleaning Pots & Pans
Shake on a generous amount of Baking Soda in your pots or pans, add hot water, and dish detergent, let sit for 15 minutes and wash as usual.
5. Clean the microwave
Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside the microwave. Rinse well with water.
6. Polish silver flatware
Use a baking soda paste made with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
7. Clean coffee and tea pots
Remove coffee and tea stains by washing mugs and coffee makers in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water.
8. Freshen sponges
Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solution (4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water).
9. Clean the oven
Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of the oven. Spray with water to dampen the baking soda. Let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub, scoop the baking soda and grime out with a sponge, or vacuum, and rinse.
10. Cleaning Floors
For no wax and tile floors use 1/2 cup Baking Soda in a bucket of warm water – mop and rinse clean.
11. Deodorize Garbage Can
Wash out and deodorize garbage cans with a solution of 1 cup of Baking Soda per 1 gallon of water.
12. Deodorize Drains and Garbage Disposals
Put 1/2 cup of baking soda in them and flush the soda down with hot water (This a good way to get rid of baking soda that is being used in your fridge)
13. Make Baking Powder
To make your own baking powder, stir and sift together 2 parts of Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1 part cornstarch.
14. Scrub fruits and vegetables
Baking soda is the food safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse. Or sprinkle in water, soak and rise the produce.
CARPETING & UPHOLSTERY:
15. Carpet Spills
When the area is completely dry, sprinkle liberally with Baking Soda and let sit for 15 minutes before vacuuming it up. Check for color-fastness first before applying Baking Soda.
16. Freshen and Deodorize Carpets
Sprinkle Baking Soda on carpet or upholstery and let it sit for 15 minutes before vacuuming. Be sure to check for color fastness first.
BATHROOMS:
17. Cleaning Bathroom Floors
Mix 1/2 cup Baking Soda in a bucket of warm water, mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor.
18. Shower Curtains
Scrub the shower curtain with baking soda on a wet sponge then rinse clean. Hang it up to dry.
LAUNDRY:
19. Chlorine Bleach Booster
Add ½ cup of Baking Soda with a ½ cup of bleach.
20. Boost your liquid laundry detergent
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. Or you can add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle for fresher sheets and towels or stinky sports uniforms.
21. Deodorizing Musty Towels
Add 1/2 cup Baking Soda to the rinse cycle.
PERSONAL CARE:
22. Facial Scrub and Body Exfoliant
Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean. This is gentle enough for daily use.
23. Deodorant
Pat baking soda onto your underarms to neutralize body odor to feel fresh all day.
24. Antacid
Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, and/or acid indigestion. Refer to baking soda package for instructions.
25. Treat insect bites and itchy skin
Make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower.
26. Hand Cleanser and Softener
Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or 3 parts baking soda with gentle liquid hand soap. Then rinse clean.
27. Remove Odors From Hands
Remove fish, onion, or garlic odor from hands with a solution of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or liquid soap. Rub mixture in your hands, and rinse off.
28.Make a bath soak
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath. Makes your skin feel so soft. Relieve itchy skin in a bath with 1 cup baking soda and 1 1/4 cups baby oil in the water.
29. For Your Feet
Smooth rough and hardened calluses and heels by massaging them with a paste of 3 parts baking soda per 1 part water.
30. Sunburn/Poison Ivy
Ease windburn or poison ivy irritation with a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Do not use on broken skin.
31. Nail Care
Clean fingernails and toenails by scrubbing them with a nailbrush dipped in baking soda. This also softens cuticles.
32. Breath
Gargle with 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. Freshens and cleans your mouth. Or used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also relieve canker sore pain.
33. Teeth
Sprinkle baking soda on your wet toothbrush and brush your teeth and dentures with it.
HAIR
34. No Poo
Sprinkle a small amount (quarter-size) of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly — helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind. Also, go No poo. You can read all about my No Poo Experiment here.
35. Remove Chlorine
Rinse hair with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1 pint water to remove the dullness or discoloration caused by chlorinated pools.
36. Clean brushes and combs
Soak combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.
BABIES:
37. Gently Clean & Freshen Baby’s Laundry
For tough stains add 1/2 cup of Baking Soda with your liquid laundry detergent, or a 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle for deodorization! For cloth diapers, dissolve ½ cup of Baking Soda in 2 quarts of water and soak diapers thoroughly.
38. Cleaning Baby Equipment
Safely clean your baby’s area (play pen, changing table, crib, stroller, car seat and high chair). Just sprinkle Baking Soda directly on a clean damp sponge and rub the item clean. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry. Sparkling clean and no harsh cleaners to worry about!
39. Deodorize Baby Bottles
Fill bottles with warm water and add 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda. Shake, rinse and thoroughly clean as usual. For extra cleaning and deodorizing, you can also soak bottles and nipples overnight in a solution of 4 tablespoons of Baking Soda to 1 quart of warm water. Then rinse and clean as usual.
40. Deodorize Diaper Pails
Sprinkle Baking Soda liberally over dirty disposable diapers in the diaper pail. If you are using cloth diapers, soak dirty diapers in a solution of 2 quarts of warm water and ½ cup of Baking Soda.
41. Clean Baby Combs
Keep baby combs and brushes clean by soaking them in gentle solution of 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.
42. Cleaning Baby Toys
Clean and deodorize baby toys safely and effectively using 4 tablespoons of Baking Soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water. Wash toys with a clean damp sponge or cloth, rinse and dry.
PET RELATED:
43. Dry Baths for Dogs
Help dogs stay fresh-smelling by giving them periodic dry baths. Sprinkle Baking Soda into their fur and rub, then comb or brush it through and out.
44. Deodorize pet items
Cover the bottom of your cat box with baking soda, then fill as usual with litter. To freshen between changes, sprinkle baking soda on top of the litter after a thorough cleaning. Eliminate odors from your pet’s bedding by sprinkling liberally with baking soda, wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odors), then vacuum up. Baking Soda is non-toxic and safe to use around pets!
FIRES:
45. Extinguish fires
Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor grease or electrical kitchen fires, because when baking soda is heated, it gives off carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking fires (frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity if you can safely do so. Stand back and throw handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame to help put out the fire — and call the fire department just to be safe.
Be sure to keep an extra box of baking soda by your stove in case of grease or electrical fire. Scatter the powder by the handful to safely put it out.
Keep a container of baking soda in your garage as well as in your car to put out a fire. It won’t damage anything it touches.
OUTDOORS:
46. Cleaning Lawn Furniture
Give your outdoor patio and pool furniture a thorough cleaning with Baking Soda. Keep outdoor furniture fresh in the off-season too…just sprinkle underneath cushions or inside the storage bag.
47. Cleaning Grills
Sprinkle dry baking soda on a damp brush, scrub and rinse clean. For tough, greasy stains, scrub with a wire brush and a Baking Soda paste (3 parts Baking Soda to 1 part warm water).
CARS:
48. Clean cars
Use baking soda to clean your car lights, chrome, windows, tires, vinyl seats, and floor mats. Use a baking soda solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Apply with a sponge or soft cloth to remove road grime, tree sap, bugs, and tar. For stubborn stains use baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge or soft brush. Eliminate odors by sprinkling baking soda directly on fabric car seats and carpets. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for strong odors) and vacuum up the baking soda.
49. Deodorizing Cars
Elimiate odors by sprinkling Baking Soda directly on fabric car seats and carpets. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for strong odors) and vacuum up the odors with the Baking Soda.
50. Clean batteries
Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, etc., because its a mild alkali. Be sure to disconnect the battery terminals before cleaning. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water and apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the battery terminal. After cleaning and reconnecting the terminals, wipe them with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Please be careful when working around a battery — they contain a strong acid.
51. Repel rain from windshield.
Put gobs of baking soda on a dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out.
MISCELLANEOUS
52. Make a surface soft scrub
For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile, and sinks — even fiberglass and glossy tiles — sprinkle baking soda lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. For extra cleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, coarse salt, and liquid dish soap — let it sit then scour off.
53. Deodorize sneakers
Keep odors from spreading in smelly sneakers by shaking baking soda into them when not in use. Shake out before wearing.
54. Clean and freshen sports gear
Use a baking soda solution (4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm water) to clean and deodorize smelly sports equipment. Sprinkle baking soda into golf bags and gym bags to deodorize and clean golf irons (without scratching them!) with a baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda to 1 part water) and a brush. Rinse thoroughly.
55. Remove oil and grease stains
Use baking soda to clean up light-duty oil and grease spills on your garage floor or in your driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.
56. Make some clay
Making Play Clay with baking soda: combine 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch.
57. Deodorize lunch boxes
Between uses, place a spill-proof box of baking soda in everyone’s lunch box to absorb lingering odors.
58. Freshen closets
Place a box on the shelf to keep the closet smelling fresh.
59. Freshen stuffed animals
Keep favorite cuddly toys fresh with a dry shower of baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on and let it sit for 15 minutes before brushing off.