Baking soda is the original when it comes to miracle products, dating all the way back to the ancient Egyptians who used a similar sodium carbonate mixture as soap.
It’s one of the cheapest things you can buy with almost limitless uses for cleaning and beauty. Plus, it has magical odor-eliminating properties, too.
Here are various things you can do with baking soda:
HOME
ShutterstockBaking soda deodorizes everything.
Make laundry even more effective: Add half a cup to your liquid laundry detergent for the best deodorization, whiter whites, and brighter brights. You can also add 1/2 cup for the rinse cycle, too.
Get rid of stains pre-laundry: Make a stain solution with 6 tablespoons of baking soda and 1/3 cup of warm water. Stir together to make a paste and rub it onto the stained area before throwing your clothes into the wash.
Deodorize wastebaskets: Add some baking soda to wastebaskets in the bathrooms, kitchen, or diaper bins regularly as you fill the container. Wash container with a cup of baking soda and a gallon of water regularly after taking out the trash.
Fill nail holes: Mix baking soda with white toothpaste and rub into nail holes to fill. Allow to dry fully.
Get rid of water rings: Make a paste with water and baking soda (sometimes a little toothpaste helps, too). Dip a cloth in the paste and rub away any water rings and spots from wood.
Clean and deodorize drains: Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain and follow with a cup of white vinegar. Let it sit (covered, if possible) and then pour down a gallon of boiling water.
Clean all bathroom surfaces: Make a paste of baking soda and water and use a wet sponge to scrub the walls, sink, tile, and shower surfaces with the mixture. Rinse with warm water and wipe dry with a rag.
Deodorize your fridge: Keep your fridge smelling like, well, nothing by keeping an open box of baking soda in there. You can also do this in your freezer, too.
Clean your dirty dishwasher: Run a cleaning cycle on your dishwasher with a sprinkle of baking soda to remove any old odors. If there are some places that just aren’t getting clean (like around the dishwasher door), dip an old toothbrush in hot water and some baking soda and scrub away before rinsing. Wipe dry.
Cut through grease on dishes and pans: Two tablespoons of baking soda with detergent in the dishwasher will zap grease. Or, if you’re hand washing, let pans and dishes soak for 15 minutes with the solution and then clean as you normally would. It can even help with dirty, burned pots, too.
Clean your blender (fast): Instead of taking out the blades and having to scrub, fill your blender halfway with water and add a spoonful of baking soda and a drop of dish-washing liquid. Run it for a few seconds and swirl before rinsing. Those blades are clean!
Clean your microwave: After awhile, microwaves can start to smell. Deodorize yours in a few seconds with two tablespoons of baking powder in a bowl of water, and microwave on high for three minutes. Remove the bowl and wipe the inside of the microwave with a cloth or sponge — all the food will come right off.
Clean your coffee maker: Add warm water to your coffee pot and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Swirl to dissolve and then pour into the water reserve tank. Allow the machine to run on a full cycle and repeat the process until the water is clean and clear.
Polish tarnished silver: Clean silver by adding baking soda, sea salt, and vinegar to a baking dish (one of those disposable aluminum ones is fine). Pour in boiling water slowly to mix with the dry ingredients in the dish and use tongs to add the tarnished silverware. Let sit for 30 seconds to a minute and then use tongs to remove and buff with a rag.
Clean the floor: Add a 1/2 cup of baking soda to a bucket of water and mop the floors with the mixture. Rinse clean. For any scuff marks or stains, put some baking soda on the stains and then scrub. Rinse with warm water and dry.
Clean suede: Blot any excess liquid from suede and sprinkle baking soda on the spot. Let it sit and then brush off with a suede brush.
Remove shoe odor: Whether it’s gym shoes or your heels, sprinkle baking soda in your shoes between wearing to neutralize odor and absorb moisture. If you don’t want to clean up the mess in the morning, add sachets filled with baking soda to your shoes after wearing.
Eliminate pet odors: Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and furniture evenly and wait 15 minutes before vacuuming up.
Deodorize plastic containers: Cleaning Tupperware can be the worst because it holds onto food smells for a long time. Soak plastic containers with four tablespoons of baking soda and then wash as usual. Smells will disappear like magic.
Clean kitchen surfaces: Just like in the bathroom, sprinkle baking soda on a clean damp sponge and wipe down surfaces. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. This works well for counter tops, stove tops, fridges, and more.
Clean your oven: Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the inside of the oven with a wet sponge. Let it sit for 2-3 hours and then wipe off and rinse.
Remove grime from shower curtains: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub the shower curtain before rinsing clean. If that doesn’t do the trick, add the curtain with two bath towels to the washing machine on gentle with a 1/2 cup of baking soda and detergent. Add vinegar for the rinse cycle, and let drip-dry.
Grout cleaner: Add three tablespoons of baking soda to a tablespoon of warm water and apply to old grout with an old toothbrush you no longer use. Dirt and grime will rub away effortlessly.
Remove crayon from walls: A paste of baking soda and warm water will remove those crayon stains without damaging your paint. Just dip a washcloth in soapy water, wring out and then dip in baking powder and gently scrub.
BEAUTY
ShutterstockDon’t be afraid to apply baking soda to your skin.
Exfoliate skin: Create a paste of baking soda with warm water (or add with your favorite face cleanser) and gently scrub your skin before rinsing with warm water. You can also mix with coconut oil for a similar result.
Face mask: Create a soft paste with equal parts baking soda and water and apply to your face. Keep on for roughly 10 minutes before rubbing off with warm water in circular motions which will slough off dead skin and help unclog pores.
Clean and whiten teeth: Add a small amount of baking soda to a small dish and dip your wet toothbrush in the powder. Brush thoroughly and then rinse with water.
Wash hair: Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into palm along with the recommended amount of your normal shampoo. The baking soda will help remove build up from hair care styling products and leave hair even cleaner and — because it has less oil and excess product — bouncier with more volume.
Fight dandruff: Use baking soda instead of shampoo for a few weeks to exfoliate your scalp and reduce overactive fungi that can cause dandruff. Bonus points if you add tea tree oil.
Getting smells off hands: After touching onions or garlic, clean hands with either three parts baking soda to one part water or add three parts baking soda to a liquid hand soap. This will also make your hands extremely soft since it exfoliates as well as removes odors.
Make deodorant: Instead of buying your standard supermarket deodorant, you can make your own cheaper version with one part baking soda and one part cornstarch. Pat it beneath your arm pits and you’re good to go.
If you prefer your deodorant in stick form, there’s a solution. Add coconut oil, one part baking soda, and one part cornstarch to a small sauce pan over low heat. Pour the liquid into a jar or empty deodorant stick — just make sure to keep it somewhere cool otherwise the coconut oil will melt and create a mess.
Detox bath: This is something Liv Tyler reportedly swears by — taking a bath with Epsom salts and baking soda. Pour in a half cup of baking soda into a warm bath and let your body de-stress.
Dry shampoo: Mix baking soda with baby powder and add it to the roots of your hair (where it’s oiliest). Tousle and brush out — voila! Fresh hair.
Cleaning nails: When your nails start to look yellow from wearing too much nail polish, mix baking soda with some peroxide and scrub your nails. They’ll look much brighter and whiter
The Gaetano Group 