There are literally hundreds of household uses for baking soda. Not to be confused with baking powder, which has added acidifying and drying agents (typically cream of tartar and starch, respectively), baking soda is pure bicarbonate of soda. The beneficial qualities of baking soda are the result of its ability to act as a buffer, neutralizing both acidic and alkaline substances to regulate pH. This is the secret behind its effectiveness in so many household applications.

Baking soda is inexpensive, environmentally friendly, fragrance-free, and safe for nearly all surfaces, making it ideal for many household uses.

Personal Hygiene

• 1 teaspoon (5 g) baking soda dissolved in 4 ounces (120 ml) lukewarm water makes an excellent mouth rinse for eliminating bad breath.
• To deodorize and refresh dentures, retainers, and other oral appliances, soak them in a solution of 2 teaspoons (10 g) baking soda dissolved in 1 cup lukewarm water.
• Liberally sprinkle a damp toothbrush with baking soda and brush for clean, white teeth.
• To remove the residue left behind by styling products and chlorine, add a teaspoon of baking soda to your favorite shampoo and lather up as you usually do. Rinse well.

In the Kitchen

• Baking soda is food-safe, so it can be used to clean cutting boards, counter tops, sinks, stoves, the interiors of lunch boxes and coolers, and other surfaces that come into contact with food. Simply sprinkle onto a damp sponge, wipe, rinse, and dry.
• Clean the inside of a food-splattered microwave with baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge. Rinse, then dry.
• Place an opened box of baking soda in the freezer and the refrigerator to absorb food odors; replace with a fresh box every few months.
• Baking soda can be used to safely scrub fruits and vegetables. Sprinkle on a damp sponge, wash the fruit or vegetable carefully, then rinse thoroughly with cool water.

Fire Extinguisher

• It is worthwhile to keep a box or two of baking soda on hand for this use alone. If you experience a small grease fire in a pan, oven, grill, or toaster oven while cooking, baking soda can be used as a fire extinguisher. First, if you can do it safely, turn off the source of power—shut off the oven, turn off the gas to the burner, etc. Then, being careful to keep a safe distance, throw baking soda by large spoonfuls or handfuls onto the flame, aiming for the origin, to put it out.
• Baking soda can also be used to put out small electrical fires—the process is essentially the same. Disconnect the appliance if you can do it in a safe manner, and carefully throw baking soda onto the flames until they are extinguished. In both cases, it’s wise to call the fire department to check on the situation and make sure the fire has been totally extinguished.

In the Bathroom

• Scrub out the tub and sink with a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda. It won’t scratch the finish of your fixtures and won’t leave behind any nasty chemicals to irritate sensitive skin.
• Soak brushes and combs in a solution of 1 teaspoon (5 g) baking soda dissolved in 1 cup (240 ml) warm water to clean them.

In the Laundry Room

• To brighten whites with half the amount of bleach, instead of adding 1 cup (240 ml) of bleach to your laundry, add half that amount and add ½ cup (120 g) of baking soda. It’s gentler on your whites and on your nose!
• Add ½ cup (120 g) baking soda to the rinse cycle of the wash for fresher-smelling, softer clothes.

Camping

• Sprinkle a line of baking soda around the perimeter of sleeping and dining areas to discourage ants.
• Use baking soda as an all-purpose toothpaste, deodorant, and foot powder.
• Use environmentally friendly baking soda instead of harsh detergents to clean pots and pans and cooking utensils.
• Soothe the pain of a bee sting by applying a paste of baking soda and water to the area. For mild sunburn and poison ivy rashes, soak in a tub of lukewarm water with about ½ cup (120 g) of baking soda dissolved in it.

General Uses

• Smelly sneakers? Sprinkle the insides with baking soda after you take them off. Let sit overnight and shake out in the morning.
• Smelly drains in the kitchen or bathroom? Run some warm water and spoon about ½ cup (120 g) of baking soda down the drain. If you like, you can do this every time you change the odor-absorbing box in your fridge/freezer—the old box will work just fine.