Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a natural, non-toxic household staple that has been used for centuries.
While most people know it as a leavening agent for baking, baking soda’s versatility makes it an ideal alternative to many chemical-laden cleaning and personal care products.
Whether you’re looking to clean, deodorize, or freshen your home, baking soda offers a safe, eco-friendly solution.
Here are 34 uses for baking soda that can replace dozens of toxic products in your home.
1. All-Purpose Cleaner
Baking soda is an effective all-purpose cleaner that can replace chemical-laden cleaning products. Its mild abrasive properties help scrub away dirt, grime, and stains.
How to Use: Mix baking soda with water to form a paste and use it to clean countertops, sinks, appliances, and more.
2. Deodorize Carpets
Baking soda naturally neutralizes odors, making it perfect for freshening up carpets and rugs.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda liberally over your carpet, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then vacuum it up.
3. Unclog Drains
Forget toxic drain cleaners—baking soda and vinegar can dissolve clogs naturally.
How to Use: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. Let it fizz, then flush with boiling water.
4. Polish Silver
Restore shine to tarnished silver without harsh chemicals.
How to Use: Make a paste with baking soda and water, rub it onto the silver, then rinse and buff dry.
5. Clean Grout
Baking soda’s abrasive nature helps scrub away grime from grout lines, leaving them bright and clean.
How to Use: Mix baking soda with water to make a paste, apply it to the grout, scrub with a brush, and rinse clean.
6. Deodorize Trash Cans
Baking soda neutralizes odors, making it a great option for keeping trash cans fresh.
How to Use: Sprinkle a layer of baking soda in the bottom of your trash can to absorb odors.
7. Freshen Refrigerators
Baking soda is the go-to solution for neutralizing bad smells in the fridge.
How to Use: Place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb and eliminate odors.
8. Laundry Booster
Add baking soda to your laundry routine to enhance detergent performance and remove odors.
How to Use: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry load for fresher, cleaner clothes.
9. Clean the Oven
Avoid harsh oven cleaners by using baking soda to tackle baked-on grease and grime.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda on the oven’s surface, spray with water, let it sit overnight, and scrub clean the next day.
10. Remove Stains from Mugs
Coffee and tea stains on mugs are no match for baking soda.
How to Use: Make a paste with baking soda and water, scrub the stained area, then rinse clean.
11. Freshen Shoes
Baking soda can help eliminate odors from shoes.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda inside shoes and let it sit overnight to absorb odors. Shake it out the next day.
12. Clean Pots and Pans
Baking soda helps lift stuck-on food from pots and pans without scratching.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda on the pan, add warm water, and let it soak for a few minutes before scrubbing.
13. Deodorize Upholstery
Baking soda can freshen up upholstered furniture by neutralizing odors trapped in fabrics.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda on the upholstery, let it sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum.
14. Whiten Laundry
Baking soda is a natural whitener that can replace bleach.
How to Use: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your wash cycle to help brighten white clothes.
15. Soften Clothes
Baking soda softens clothes naturally, making fabric softeners unnecessary.
How to Use: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle for softer laundry.
16. Clean Baby Toys
Baking soda is a safe, non-toxic cleaner for baby toys.
How to Use: Make a solution of baking soda and water, wipe the toys clean, and rinse.
17. Remove Crayon from Walls
Baking soda can safely remove crayon marks from walls without damaging the paint.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth and gently scrub the crayon marks.
18. Deodorize Mattresses
Freshen up your mattress by eliminating odors with baking soda.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress, let it sit for 30 minutes, and vacuum it up.
19. Clean Cutting Boards
Baking soda helps remove stains and odors from cutting boards without harsh chemicals.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda on the cutting board, scrub with a damp sponge, and rinse.
20. Shine Stainless Steel
Baking soda can restore shine to stainless steel appliances and fixtures.
How to Use: Make a paste of baking soda and water, rub it onto stainless steel, and buff with a soft cloth.
21. Clean Microwaves
Remove food splatters and odors from your microwave with baking soda.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and wipe the microwave’s interior clean.
22. Clean Tile Floors
Baking soda is an effective yet gentle cleaner for tile floors.
How to Use: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a mop bucket filled with warm water and mop as usual.
23. Freshen Closets
Keep closets smelling fresh by using baking soda to absorb odors.
How to Use: Place an open container of baking soda in your closet to prevent musty odors.
24. Deodorize Pet Beds
Pet beds can trap odors, but baking soda can help freshen them up.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda on the pet bed, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then vacuum.
25. Exfoliate Skin
Baking soda makes a gentle exfoliant for the skin, removing dead cells and leaving skin soft.
How to Use: Mix baking soda with water to create a paste and use it to exfoliate the skin. Rinse thoroughly.
26. Soothe Insect Bites
Baking soda can help relieve itching and irritation from insect bites.
How to Use: Make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it to the bite. Let it dry, then rinse off.
27. Neutralize Acid Reflux
Baking soda can help neutralize stomach acid and relieve heartburn.
How to Use: Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink to ease acid reflux symptoms.
28. Clean Hairbrushes and Combs
Remove buildup from hair products on your hairbrushes and combs using baking soda.
How to Use: Soak brushes in a mixture of warm water and baking soda for 20 minutes, then rinse clean.
29. Deodorize Litter Boxes
Keep your cat’s litter box smelling fresh by neutralizing odors with baking soda.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the litter box before adding fresh litter.
30. Clean Fruit and Veggies
Baking soda can safely remove dirt and pesticides from fruits and vegetables.
How to Use: Fill a bowl with water, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and soak your produce for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
31. Brighten Teeth
Baking soda is a natural teeth whitener that can replace commercial teeth-whitening products.
How to Use: Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to form a paste and use it as a toothpaste once a week.
32. Deodorize Gym Bags
Eliminate odors from gym bags by using baking soda as a deodorizer.
How to Use: Place an open box of baking soda in the gym bag to absorb odors between uses.
33. Clean Bathroom Tiles
Baking soda can clean bathroom tiles and grout, removing dirt and mildew without harsh chemicals.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub the tiles, then rinse with water.
34. Relieve Sunburn
Baking soda can soothe and cool irritated skin from sunburn.
How to Use: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a cool bath and soak to relieve sunburn discomfort.
Baking soda is an incredibly versatile, non-toxic alternative to many chemical-filled household products.