Ok, Baking soda is cheap and everybody usually has it on hand in thier fridge! So what can you use it for besides baking and keeping the fridge fresh?
I have 40 things in the post that may be very helpful to you!
1. Make toothpaste
A paste made from baking soda and a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an
alternative to commercial non-fluoride toothpastes. You can also just dip your toothbrush with
toothpaste into baking soda for an extra boost.
2. Freshen your mouth
Put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, spit, and rinse. Odors are neutralized, not just
covered up.
3. Soak oral appliance
Soak oral appliances (like retainers, mouthpieces, and dentures) in a solution of 2 teaspoons
baking soda dissolved in a glass or small bowl of warm water. The baking soda loosens food
particles and neutralizes odors to keep appliances fresh. You can also brush appliances clean
using baking soda.
4. Use as a facial scrub and body exfoliant
Give yourself an invigorating facial and body scrub. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1
part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean. This is gentle
enough for daily use.
5. Skip harsh deodorant
Pat baking soda onto your underarms to neutralize body odor.
6. Use as an antacid
Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, and/or acid
indigestion. Refer to baking soda package for instructions.
7. Treat insect bites and itchy skin
For insect bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto affected
skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after
bath or shower.
8. Make a hand cleanser and softener
Skip harsh soaps and gently scrub away ground-in dirt and neutralize odors on hands with a paste
of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or 3 parts baking soda with gentle liquid hand soap. Then
rinse clean.
9. Help your hair
Vinegar is amazing for your hair, but baking soda has its place in the shower too. Sprinkle a
small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly — baking soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave
behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable.
10. Clean brushes and combs
For lustrous hair with more shine, keep brushes and combs clean. Remove natural oil build-up
and hair product residue by soaking combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking
soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.
11. Make a bath soak
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralize acids on the skin and help wash away oil
and perspiration. It also makes your skin feel very soft. Or just focus on soothing your feet.
Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water and soak feet. Gently scrub.
Cleaning
12. Make a surface soft scrub
For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile, and sinks — even fiberglass and glossy tiles
— sprinkle baking soda lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and
wipe dry. For extra cleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, coarse salt, and liquid dish
soap — let it sit then scour off.
13. Hand-wash dishes and pots and pans
Add 2 heaping tablespoons baking soda (along with your regular dish detergent) to the dish
water to help cut grease and foods left on dishes, pots, and pans. For cooked-on foods, let them
soak in the baking soda and detergent with water first, then use dry baking soda on a clean damp
sponge or cloth as a scratch-less scouring powder.
14. Freshen sponges
Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solution to get rid of the mess (4
tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water). For more thorough disinfecting,
use the microwave.
15. Clean the microwave
Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never
leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.
16. Polish silver flatware
Use a baking soda paste made with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub onto the silver with a
clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining sterling and silver-plate serving
pieces.
17. Clean coffee and tea pots
Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter off-tastes by washing mugs and coffee makers
in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight in the baking soda solution and detergent or scrubbing with baking soda on a clean
damp sponge.
18. Clean the oven
Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of the oven. Spray with water to dampen the baking soda.
Let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub, scoop the baking soda and grime out with a sponge, or
vacuum, and rinse.
19. Clean floors
Remove dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) from no-wax and tile floors using 1/2
cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water — mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor. For
scuff marks, use baking soda on a clean damp sponge, then rinse.
20. Clean furniture
Clean and remove marks (even crayon) from walls and painted furniture by applying baking soda
to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.
21. Clean shower curtains
Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling baking soda directly on a clean
damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtain and rinse clean. Hang it up to dry.
22. Boost your liquid laundry detergent
Give your laundry a boost by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry to make liquid
detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash gets clothes cleaner, fresher, and
brighter. Or you can add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle for fresher sheets and towels or
to neutralize gym clothes and odoriferous clothing.
23. Clean and freshen sports gear
Use a baking soda solution (4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm water) to clean and
deodorize smelly sports equipment. Sprinkle baking soda into golf bags and gym bags to
deodorize and clean golf irons (without scratching them!) with a baking soda paste (3 parts
baking soda to 1 part water) and a brush. Rinse thoroughly.
24. Remove oil and grease stains
Use baking soda to clean up light-duty oil and grease spills on your garage floor or in your
driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.
25. Clean batteries
Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, etc., because its a
mild alkali. Be sure to disconnect the 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
terminal. After cleaning and reconnecting the terminals, wipe them with petroleum jelly to
prevent future corrosion. Please be careful when working around a battery — they contain a
strong acid.
26. Clean cars
Use baking soda to clean your car lights, chrome, windows, tires, vinyl seats, and floor mats
without worrying about unwanted scratch marks. Use a baking soda solution of 1/4 cup baking
soda in 1 quart of warm water. Apply with a sponge or soft cloth to remove road grime, tree sap,
bugs, and tar. For stubborn stains use baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge or soft brush.
Eliminate odors by sprinkling baking soda directly on fabric car seats and carpets. Wait 15
minutes (or longer for strong odors) and vacuum up the baking soda.
Deodorizing
27. Deodorize your refrigerator
Place an open box in the back of the fridge to neutralize odors.
28. Deodorize trashcans and recyclables
Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trashcan to keep stinky trash smells at bay. Clean
your recyclables container periodically by sprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge. Wipe clean
and rinse. Also, sprinkle baking soda on top as you add recyclables to the bin.
29. Deodorize drains and garbage disposals
To deodorize your sink and tub drains and garbage disposal and keep lingering odors from
resurfacing, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water — it will
neutralize both acid and basic odors for a fresh drain. (This a good way to dispose of baking soda
that is being retired from your refrigerator.)
30. Deodorize and clean dishwashers
Use baking soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasher and then as a gentle cleanser in the
wash cycle.
31. Deodorize lunch boxes
Between uses, place a spill-proof box of baking soda in everyone’s lunch box to absorb lingering
odors.
32. Remove odor from carpets
Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let set overnight or as long as possible (the longer
it sets the better it works). Sweep up the larger amounts of baking soda, and vacuum up the rest.
(Note that your vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy.) An added bonus: You'll also
deodorize your vacuum cleaner.
33. Freshen closets
Place a box on the shelf to keep the closet smelling fresh.
34. Deodorize pet items
Cover the bottom of your cat box with baking soda, then fill as usual with litter. To freshen
between changes, sprinkle baking soda on top of the litter after a thorough cleaning. Eliminate
odors from your pet's bedding by sprinkling liberally with baking soda, wait 15 minutes (or
longer for stronger odors), then vacuum up.
35. Deodorize sneakers
Keep odors from spreading in smelly sneakers by shaking baking soda into them when not in
use. Shake out before wearing.
36. Freshen stuffed animals
Keep favorite cuddly toys fresh with a dry shower of baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on and
let it sit for 15 minutes before brushing off.
Miscellaneous
37. Cure all camping needs
Baking soda is a must-have for your next camping trip. It's a dish-washer, pot-scrubber, hand cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste, and fire extinguisher, and has many other uses.
38. Extinguish fires
Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor grease or electrical kitchen fires, because
when baking soda is heated, it gives off carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For
small cooking fires (frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity if you can
safely do so. Stand back and throw handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame to help put
out the fire — and call the fire department just to be safe.
39. Care for the septic system
Regular use of baking soda in your drains can help keep your septic system flowing freely. One
cup of baking soda per week will help maintain a favorable pH in your septic tank.
40. Scrub fruits and vegetables
Baking soda is the food safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just
sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse.
I'm sure there are many, many more uses with baking soda and it would be great if you would comment and leave something that's not on this list to help the rest of the prepper world!!
Happy Prepping!!
Modern Day Prepper
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