12 Uses For Baking Soda That Will Save You Money!
Are you looking for ways to do more with less? Baking soda is that homegirl who always has your back. And before you come for me, soda ends with an “a,” so, yes, homeGIRL is accurate. But in all seriousness, you should always keep your girl on deck for the many uses below. Some I swear by, some I’ve tried a few times, and some I’ve only read about, but here are 12 uses to convince you to keep baking soda producers in business in no particular order:
SOOTHE A BUG BITE - mosquitos and spiders love to treat us like we don’t belong outside when we do…but if you ever need to soothe a bug bite, mix baking soda and water to make a paste and apply directly to the bite for relief (works on rashes too but do not apply to broken skin).
ALCOHOL-FREE MOUTHWASH - mix a little baking soda and water to create a rinse that can freshen your breath and prevent gum disease. You can add a drop or two of clove essential oil or peppermint diluted with fractionated coconut oil for an extra boost (but please don’t swallow essential oils).
DIY ALKA-SELZTER - make your own alkaline water solution to combat acid reflux and heartburn - dissolve a 1/4 teaspoon in a glass of water and squeeze and drop some lemon wedges in it. Drink as needed, and don’t get your hopes up. This tastes disgusting, but the store-bought version is baking soda, citric acid, and aspirin…and you don’t need the aspirin.
DIAPER RASH RELIEF - if your mini is dealing with diaper rash, add a little baking soda to your baby’s bath water. Baking soda has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe irritation and calm itching.
TREAT FOOT FUNGUS - you can soak your feet in a baking soda/water solution to prevent foot odors and toenail fungus. Baking soda creates an alkaline environment where fungi and bacteria can’t survive.
CLEAN YOUR BRUSHES - although you may find it too drying for more delicate bristles, you can mix baking soda and water to clean hair brushes, combs, and makeup brushes. A baking soda solution will remove oils and build-up, but be sure to thoroughly rinse it out to avoid any baking soda residue.
DIY TOOTHPASTE - This one has benefits and drawbacks, so you can only do this sporadically when other options aren’t available. Some benefits include teeth whitening, plaque removal (because of its abrasive nature), acid neutralization, and mild antibacterial properties. Baking soda is suitable for cleaning many things, but it doesn’t prevent cavities, and the taste is not as pleasant as traditional toothpaste. However, you will find baking soda in many toothpaste and toothtab formulas as a supplement to other vital ingredients that improve tooth and gum health.
DIY SILVER CLEANER - Clean your jewelry and tarnished silverware… make a paste and wipe with a cloth (not paper towels), then rinse. For those who like working smarter and not harder, the last time I did this, I lined a glass pan with aluminum foil, put in a bunch of vintage silverware, and topped it off with hot water and baking soda. It works, and here’s why: there is free-flowing sulfur in the air, and when it comes into contact with silver, they combine to become silver sulfide. So when we say something is tarnished, it usually suggests a build-up of silver sulfide. Aluminum foil is highly reactive and is happy to donate electrons wherever possible—especially if heat is involved. So what does that mean? When we mix heat, aluminum foil, silver sulfide, and a baking soda solution, we end up with tarnished aluminum foil and clean silver. The sulfur leaves the silver and transfers to the aluminum foil…because…chemistry. Ta-da bitches.
DEODORIZER - You probably do this already, but leave some baking soda in the back of your fridge to absorb weird odors. You can leave a full opened box, or if you buy baking soda in bulk, just put some in a repurposed glass jar. I recommend switching it out every 2-3 months (or sooner if it stops working). Baking soda can also deodorize cat litter, trash cans, shoes, carpets, upholstery, and mattresses (sprinkle…let sit, then vacuum it up).
HOUSEHOLD CLEANER - I use baking soda to clean many household surfaces… including the bathroom sink, tub, and toilet… baking soda alone with a wet cloth does the trick, but for stubborn stains, add course salt (to aid in scrubbing) and a little soap. Baking soda and salt also work well on pans with caked-on grease, plastic containers with food stains, and ovens.
PRODUCE CLEANER - grab a bowl, soak your produce in water with a generous sprinkle of baking soda, and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub any visible dirt and rinse (I do this with vinegar and water, too).
LAUNDRY BOOSTER - I added baking soda to my homemade laundry detergent to brighten whites and colors and soften clothes. You can also wash baby clothes by throwing 1 cup of baking soda in the washing machine for a gentle clean.
Have more uses I didn’t mention? Teach me your ways! And no, this post isn’t sponsored by any baking soda companies, but I hope you turn to baking soda more for your everyday cleaning needs. We should collectively consume less and turn to products that serve multiple functions…bonus points for anything that comes in plastic-free packaging. But before you go wild putting baking soda on everything, here are some surfaces to avoid cleaning with our new bestie, including polished and unpolished wood, aluminum (that you don’t want to discolor), gold-plated jewelry, waxed or painted surfaces, eyeglasses, camera lenses, electronic screens, and unsealed grout. I hope this post was helpful, and cheers to cleaning with a conscience!