Baking Soda is known for its versatility and can be found in almost any home.

Baking Soda is well known for its many uses in the kitchen. Baking soda is often one of the ingredient when baking, it will keep your fridge and sink odor free, and freshens your stale smelling sponges. However, because of its pH-regulating abilities, baking soda is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly product that has far more uses than most of us realize.

Baking Soda, also called sodium bicarbonates or potassium bicarbonate, is basically a fine salty powder. It is a component of the mineral natron and is found dissolved in many mineral springs.

The following 13 uses of Baking Soda extend well beyond the kitchen:

1) Toothpaste – Make a paste of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution mixed with baking soda. This is a great alternative to using commercial toothpaste.

2) Whiten Teeth – Mash up a strawberry with baking soda and use the mixture to whiten your teeth as Harlingen Dentist advised.

DIY Toothpaste Made With Baking Soda

3) Clarifying Shampoo – Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo to help remove residue build-up from styling products.

4) Antacid – Baking soda is a safe and very effective antacid to relieve heartburn. My friend Mark told me about this one after pigging out on too many home made ribs a few years ago.  Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to 1/2 glass of water, stir until completely dissolved. Ask a doctor if you are taking prescription drugs or have a sodium restricted diet, this solution may interact with certain drugs. Learn more…

5) Facial & Body Scrub – Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate your skin. I just tried it out this morning and it leaves your skin feeling super soft.

6) Deodorizer – Pat baking soda under your arms, sprinkle in your shoes or in your cat’s litter box to neutralize odors. You can also pour a generous amount of baking soda into tub or bathroom sink drains with the warm water running to combat odors.

7) Foot Soak – Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water and soak feet until the water gets cold. Gently scrub with a washcloth. Pat dry and apply a generous amount of your favorite lotion.

8) Insect Bites – Make a thick paste out of baking soda and water. Dab this salve to affected skin where you have bites from mosquitoes, small spiders or other insects.

9) Itchy Skin – After taking a bath or shower shake some baking soda into your hand and rub into damp skin.

10) Polish Silver – Use baking soda to make a paste, 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub onto silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse well and dry for shining sterling and silver plated serving pieces.

11) Kill Crabgrass & Weeds – Wet the crabgrass and pour a heavy dusting of baking soda on it. The crabgrass will die back in a few days. Be careful and try to avoid surrounding grass if you can. To kill weeds pour baking soda on cracks in your patio or walkway. This will kill any small weeds and prevent new ones from sprouting.

12) Clean Batteries – Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, and smaller batteries for flashlights, etc. because its a mild alkali. (Disconnect 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. After cleaning and re-connecting, wipe the battery terminal with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Always be careful when working with batteries as they contain a strong acid.

13) Test soil pH – Wet the soil and sprinkle on a small amount of baking soda. If the baking soda bubbles, your soil is acidic with a pH level under 5.

These are just a few of the many uses baking soda has in the home and for personal hygiene.

I have tried them all out myself and they work! Visit care2 for 38 other fantastic uses for Baking Soda.

The next time you go to a grocery store you better pick up a few more boxes of baking soda, for the bathroom, the garage and the laundry room. Who knew there were so many different uses for simple baking soda?

Stock Up On Baking Soda

How many boxes of backing soda do you have in your home? Leave us a comment below.