25 household uses for baking soda
1. Freshening Carpets: Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up to remove odors.
2. Cleaning Surfaces: Mix baking soda with water to make a paste, then use it to scrub surfaces clean.
3. Deodorizing Shoes: Sprinkle baking soda inside shoes to neutralize odors.
4. Boosting Laundry Detergent: Add half a cup of baking soda to your laundry to enhance the detergent’s cleaning power.
5. Unclogging Drains: Pour baking soda followed by vinegar down drains to help clear clogs.
6. Polishing Silverware: Create a paste with water and baking soda and rub onto silver items, then rinse and dry.
7. Deodorizing Refrigerators: Place an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb unwanted smells.
8. Extinguishing Fires: In small grease fires, baking soda can help smother flames.
9. Cleaning Pots and Pans: For tough food stains, sprinkle baking soda on pots and pans, add hot water, and let soak.
10. Scrubbing the Oven: Use a baking-soda paste to clean oven interiors, avoiding harsh chemicals.
11. Whitening Teeth: Mix a little baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to make a natural toothpaste.
12. Freshening Sponges: Soak smelly sponges in a solution of four tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in a quart of warm water.
13. Relieving Itchy Skin and Sunburns: Add a half cup of baking soda to lukewarm bathwater for a relieving soak.
14. Deodorizing Trash Cans: Sprinkle some at the bottom of trash cans to mitigate odors.
15. Gardening Helper: Mix with soil as a pH balancer or use as a natural fungicide or weed deterrent.
16. Cleaning Hair Brushes: Soak brushes in a solution of warm water and a teaspoon of baking soda.
17. Homemade Deodorant: Combine coconut oil, cornstarch, and baking soda for an effective deodorant.
18.Facial Exfoliant: Make a paste with three parts baking soda to one part water; apply gently then rinse off.
19. Removing Stains from Plastic Containers: Scrub stains with baking soda applied on a clean sponge or brush.
20. Shoe Freshener Sachets: Fill small bags with baking sodas and place inside shoes when not worn.
21. Removing Crayon Marks from Walls: Scrub lightly with a damp sponge sprinkled in baking soda.
22. Freshening Closets: Place an open box or bowl of baking soda in closets to neutralize odor over time.
23. Cleaning Shower Curtains: Scrub curtains with a damp sponge covered in baking soda to remove mildew and soap scum buildup.
24. Boosting Septic Systems: Regular use of small amounts can foster healthy bacterial balance in septic systems.
25. Pest Control: Sprinkle around the house perimeter to deter ants and other pests.
These simple uses can make cleaning easier, improve home maintenance, and provide natural solutions for everyday problems using just one common household ingredient —baking soda!