There are a ton of baking soda uses that can replace individual products that we purchase with money out of our budgets. Not only is baking soda all natural and safe to use around pets and kids, it is SUPER cheap. How Cheap? I found this 13.5 lb bag of pure Arm & Hammer baking soda for $16.99 on Amazon.
While I am sure that each person will be comfortable with a different number of these options, the most important thing is that we can save money by implementing the ones we are comfortable with.
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Cleaning Uses for Baking Soda
Battery Cleaners – While I am a big fan of using Coca-Cola to clean corrosion of my battery, but you can use three parts baking soda and one part water to create a battery cleaning paste. Use a cloth with the past and then clean off with another cloth.
Boost Your Laundry Detergent – Use your regular detergent and boost with a half cup of baking soda. It will help soften the water and get clothes cleaner and softer.
Clean Baby Clothes – Baby safe cleaners are becoming more available, but they don’t always pack the punch you need. Add a half cup to the rinse cycle to help with deodorizing the smell and with getting things cleaner.
Clean Tea and Coffee Pots – You can get the inside of the pot clean with one quarter of a cup baking soda and a quart of water. For stains that don’t want to leave let soak overnight with a little detergent mixed in.
Crayon off your walls – Wet a cloth and wring out to be only damp, add baking soda to it, and rub the wall lightly. Wipe the wall with a dry cloth.
Floor Cleaner – This works without scratch marks. A half a cup to a bucket of water then rinse and you get sparkly clean floors. For scuffs on the floor use baking soda with a damp sponge and then rinse the area.
Freshen Sponges – I hate the smell of sponges that have been sitting for a while. You can get rid of the smell with a solution of one quart of water and 4 tablespoons of the white wonder. Have it soak up a bunch of the solution and pop it in the microwave to disinfect completely.
Fruits and Vegetables – Safe produce scrubs are in high demand. Sprinkle a little baking soda on a sponge that is clean and give it a scrub. Rinse and eat.
Furniture Cleaner – Use a sprinkle on a damp cloth or sponge and rub lightly on painted furniture. The finished furniture will scratch.
Grill Grate – Use a damp brush, some baking soda and scrub the grate to keep that grill clean all through grilling season (Is there ever a time it isn’t good to grill?).
Handwashing Dishes, Pots, and Pans – Use regular dish detergent and two big spoon fulls to normal sink of dishwater. If you got some grody mess then let them soak to loosen all that cooked on nastiness.
Microwave Cleaner – Another clean damp sponge with baking soda gets the job done.
Oil and Grease Stains – Got some nasty stuff in the garage or driveway? Sprinkle some baking soda and scrub with brush.
Oven Cleaner – put a fine layer of baking soda in the oven and spray with a mist to dampen the powder. Let that mix sit overnight and then scoop and scrub it out.
Parts of Your Car – Lights, windows, tires, chrome, anything vinyl, and even floor mats can be cleaned with a solution of 1 quart water mixed with one quarter cup baking soda. Use a more concentrated solution or make a paste for stubborn tar, tree sap, or road grime.
Polish Silverware – If you have some grimy silver then use a paste of three parts baking soda and one part water rub with clean cloth and rinse. The shine will happen.
Shower Curtains – Scrub the shower curtains with baking soda on a sponge or brush. Deodorizes and cleanses.
Soft Scrub – This may be the name of a cleaner, but you can use baking soda and water to clean tubs, sinks, and tile.
Sports Equipment Cleaner – I played organized sports through high school and that equipment can get pretty nasty. Either use a 4 tablespoon to one-quart solution for cleaning or make a paste for scrubbing. Either way you can get the smell and the grime out.
Toothbrushes – quarter cup of baking soda mixed with a quarter cup of water makes a great solution to soak brushes and get rid of bacteria
Unclog Drains – Ever see a baking soda and vinegar volcano? You can use that eruptive power to clean out your drains.
Deodorizing
Baking Soda is a great deodorizer. Here are the tips on using baking soda to deodorize just about everything.
Air Freshener – It is crazy that many air fresheners actually have ingredients that we shouldn’t be breathing. Take 1 Tbsp of baking soda, five drops of your favorite essential oil, put in a spray bottle and fill to the top with distilled water.
Carpets – Sprinkle carpets with a good coating of baking soda and let it sit overnight or longer. If you have a carpet sweeper use that first, then vacuum the rest (it will fill up a bag fast).
Cars – If the car has fabric seats or floors then every time you sit down it releases odor into the air. Get rid of that odor by sprinkling, leave for at least 15 minutes (or longer if you have a really bad smell), and vacuum.
Cat Box – Seriously, if you have a cat or cats you should get rid of them immediately. They are evil and are planning to kill you in your sleep.
Closets – Just place a box on one of the shelves and it sucks in any funkiness.
Cutting Boards – Sprinkle, scrub, rinse, and repeat till whatever smell you are trying to get out is gone.
Dishwasher – Works as a cleanser and deodorizer. Sprinkle in before you run and then cleanse as part of the rinse cycle.
Drains – Take the baking soda that you were keeping in the refrigerator and pour half a cup down the drain while you run warm water. Takes out odors and any acidity in the trap.
Garbage Disposal – Works the same as the recommendation for the drain.
Hands – Rub your smelly hands with baking soda and water and strong odors from garlic or onion just disappear.
Laundry Hamper – If your teenage son has his own hamper then sprinkle a little baking soda in there from time to time to keep down the stench. While you are at it, hit his room with some of the magic powder too.
Linens – Anything you can put in the washing machine gets a half cup in the rinse cycle to deodorize and give them freshness.
Lunch Boxes – Take a spill proof box in the kids lunchboxes between uses to take out whatever crazy smells they get in there.
Pet Bedding – Sprinkle as much as you think you need, let sit, and vacuum.
Recycling Container – As you add more to the container do a little sprinkling. It will keep the odors away.
Refrigerator/Freezer – Keep a box open inside and they suck up the odor.
Sneakers – Shake some baking soda in when not in use and shake it out before you put them on.
Stuffed Animals – My kids sleep with their stuffed animals every night. They get funky and we wash them. Sprinkle a little and let sit 15 minutes and then give them a good shake or brush.
The Wash – If your washing machine has gone sour, then run an empty load with your detergent and a half cup of baking soda.
Toilets – A cup of baking soda added to your toilet and left for an hour will clean the bowl and kill any odors.
Trashcans – Put a little baking soda at the bottom of the can before you put in the bag. It keeps the stink away (dryer sheets work too!).
Vacuum Cleaner – All this sprinkling and vacuuming will freshen the bag of your vacuum cleaner.
Personal Care and Health Uses for Baking Soda
Antacid – Baking soda raises pH. It works on heartburn, acid indigestion, and sour stomach. The box has instruction for how to do this.
Cancer Prevention – Studies have shown that baking soda can increase the pH of acidic tumors, all while not changing the pH of healthy organs in the body. So for those with cancer they have seen some success in immune and nutritional support through small amounts of baking soda consumption.
Cleaner for Brush and Comb – Soak combs and brushes in a bowl with one tablespoon of baking soda to get rid of oil and hair product build up. Make sure to rinse well, you don’t want white streaks in your hair.
Deodorant – You can actually neutralize your body odor by patting the offending area with a little baking soday
Diaper Rash – A couple of tablespoons in the bath water and diaper rash gets some quick relief. This has worked really well for all of our kids.
Exercise Recovery – We have all heard that a build up of acid in your muscles is what leads to soreness and fatigue after exercising. Your body’s natural defense against this acid build up is called bicarbonate buffers. And what is the actual chemical name of baking soda? That’s right sodium BICARBONATE. You can get a more complete explanation here.
Exfoliate – one part water to three parts baking soda gives you a gentle exfoliant you can use every day.
Foot Soother – Take a tube of water and dissolve 3 Tbsp of baking soda. It will soothe and soften your feet.
Hair Cleanser – Give a sprinkle and mix with your favorite shampoo. It works to remove residue from hair products and makes your hair easier to work with.
Hand Cleanser – The scouring properties and change of pH make baking soda a great change up for cleansing your hands.
Itchy Skin, Sunburn and Insect Bites – Use some water to make some paste and apply directly to the skin irritation.
Mouth Freshener – One teaspoon with a half glass of water and a good amount of swishing will neutralize odors. Also, the change in pH will actually help with keeping any acid from working to increase tooth decay.
Oral Appliance Wash – Whether it is dentures, retainers, or a mouthpiece, two teaspoons dissolved into a glass of water gives a good soak to loosen any food particles, get rid of any odors and keep them fresh. It is also safe to use baking soda to brush your oral appliance.
Splinter Remover – Use a tablespoon of baking soda dissolved in some water and soak twice a day and the splinter will come out after a few days with less pain.
Toothpaste – If you like to stay away from fluoride a paste made from baking soda and 3% hydrogen peroxide can get your teeth sparkly white. If you are looking to prevent tooth decay by raising the pH just dip your wet toothbrush into some baking soda before applying your regular toothpaste.
Other Uses
Bug Deterrent – Wherever you see ants heading toward your home or place the outdoor bowl for your pooch, put a little baking soda in the way and keep it from happening again.
De-Icer – Sprinkle some baking soda on the ice to help it melt. It is much less corrosive than salt.
Fluffier Eggs – use half a teaspoon of baking soda for every three eggs and make that omelet pop.
Grease Fire – Baking soda is not flammable so if you have a grease fire scatter baking soda in large quantities to keep the house from going up in flames.
Iced Tea Bitterness – Use just a pinch of baking soda in freshly brewed iced tea to get rid of bitterness. This tip is only for people who reside outside of the Southeastern United State. In our part of the country we get rid of the bitterness by dousing that tea with a couple cups of sugar.
Pet Teeth Cleaning – Not only does it work on our teeth it is great for your pet.
Weed Deterrent – Sprinkle a little powder in the cracks of your driveway or sidewalk to get.
Final Thoughts on Uses for Baking Soda that Save Money
Sodium bicarbonate really is a wonderful substance with all kinds of uses. So next time you are thinking of using a harsh chemical, make sure there isn’t a way to use some good ole baking soda to take care of that problem.
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