Baking Soda – 112 Uses - The Lost Herbs (2024)

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is widely used in baking. However, over the years our ingenious grandmothers discovered manyfrugal usesfor this common household product.

If you’re like me, you probably already have a box of baking soda in your pantry for baking, one in your refrigerator to absorb odors, and another under your kitchen sink to use for cleaning.

What Exactly Is Baking Soda?

It’s 100 percent sodium bicarbonate, which can be used as a leavening agent in baked goods.

When mixed with an acid, baking soda reacts, making bubbles and giving off carbon dioxide gas, which causes the dough to rise. Anecdotal reports throughout history suggest that many civilizations used forms of baking soda when making bread and other foods that required rising.

In its natural form, baking soda is known as nahcolite, which is part of the natural mineral natron. Natron, which contains large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, has been used since ancient times. And no, you don’t need to get aluminum-free baking soda (you are confusing that with baking powder), as baking soda is already aluminum-free.

For instance, the Egyptians used natron as a soapfor cleansing purposes. However, it wasn’t until 1846 that Dr. Austin Church and John Dwight began to manufacture and sell the compound we know as baking soda today. By the 1860s, baking soda was featured in published cookbooks but was still primarily known as a cooking additive.By the 1920s, however, its versatility was expanded on and by the 1930s it was widely advertised as a “proven medical agent.”

You can purchase a box of baking soda for under $3, making it one of the least expensive home remedies to keep on hand. In addition to using it for minor accidents and injuries, baking soda can become a part of your regular hygiene routine.

Health & Beauty

• Antiperspirant – to make your own, apply baking soda with a powder puff underarms.
• Bee Stings – to soothe the pain and draw out the stinger, apply a paste of baking
  soda and water to the affected area.
• Breath– to freshen, gargle with 2 ounces of water mixed with ½ teaspoon baking soda.
• Bug Bites – to relieve itching, make a thick paste using water and baking soda.Apply the paste to the bite.
• Canker Sore– to relieve pain, mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda, a pinch of salt in 1 cupof water. Gargle.
• ChickenPox– to relieve itching, add ½ cup baking soda to a lukewarm bath.
• Colds– to relieve stuffy head and nose, use vapor disks in your shower made with 2cups baking soda, 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Slowly add water tomake a thick putty. Divide into muffin tins and allow them to air dry for 24hours.
• Dandruff– to control, massage your wet scalp with a ¼ – ½ cup of baking soda. Repeatfor two weeks.
• Denturesand Retainers–to clean, soak them in 1 cup warm water, and 3 tablespoons bakingsoda.
• Detox– to relieve aches and pains, mix 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup apple cidervinegar in a warm tub of water.
• FaceScrub – for a soft, smooth face, make a paste using 1 part baking soda, 2 parts ground oatmeal, and water. Gently rub your face with the paste, leave on for a few minutes, and then rinse.
• Feet– to relieve aching feet, add 3 tablespoons of baking soda to a tub of warmwater.
• Hair– to keep hair healthy, add 1 teaspoon of baking to every 6 ounces ofconditioner.
• Hair– to remove chemical build up and soften, mix 1 teaspoon baking soda to 6ounces shampoo
• Heartburn– to relieve, drink 4 ounces of water mixed with 1 teaspoon baking soda.
• JellyfishSting – to soothe pain, apply a thick paste of baking soda and waterto theaffected area.
• Mouthwash– to make your own, mix 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon salt, a drop oftwo of peppermint in 1 quart of water. Gargle.
• PoisonIvy–to relieve itching, make a thin paste using water and baking soda. Gently apply to the affected area.
• Skin – to exfoliate, make a paste using 3 parts baking soda and one part water.Gently apply with your fingers using a circular motion, rinse
• Skin– to soften, add 1 cup of baking soda to your bathwater.
• Splinter – to remove, soak the affected area in a small glass of water containing 1tablespoon baking soda. Repeat twice a day until the splinter works its wayout.
• SplitEnds– to resist, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 6 ounces of conditioner.
• StuffyNose – to clear, add 1 teaspoon to the vaporizer.
• Sunburn– to relieve pain, make a thin paste using water and baking soda. Gently applyto the burned area.
• Sunburn– to relieve pain, soak in a bathtub full of lukewarm water and a ½ cup baking soda. Air dry.
• Teeth– to clean, make a paste using baking soda and peroxide.
• Teeth– to whiten, mix ½ teaspoon baking soda with 1 crushed, ripe strawberry. Applythe mixture to your teeth and allow it to remain for 5 minutes. Brush teeth andrinse.
• Ulcer– to relieve pain, dissolve 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda in 1 cup water anddrink.
• Wind burns– to relieve, apply a thin paste of baking soda and water to the area.

Cooking

• Baking Powder – to make yourown, sift together 1 tablespoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 2parts cream of tartar.
• Beans– to make them moredigestible, soak dried beans in a solution of 4 cups water and ½ cup bakingsoda.
• Chicken– to easily removefeathers and clean, boil the chicken in a pot of water mixed with 1 teaspoonbaking soda.
• Eggs– to make fluffier, add½ teaspoon of baking soda to three eggs.
• Fish– toreduce the fishysmell, soak raw fish in 2 cups water and ¼ cup baking soda for 1-3 hours in therefrigerator.
• Fruits & Vegetables– toclean, wash them in a sink of water mixed with 1 cup of baking soda.
• Meat – to tenderize, rub the meat with baking soda and allow it to sit for 2-3 hours in the refrigerator.Rinse before cooking.
• Sports Drinks – to make yourown, dissolve 1 teaspoon of baking, 1 teaspoon of salt, 4 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 package of Kool-Aid in 2 quarts of warm water. Cool and drink to replaceelectrolytes which help you to absorb more water.
• Tea– to eliminatebitterness and cloudiness, add a pinch of baking soda to a gallon of freshlybrewed tea.
• Tomatoes– to reduce acid,sprinkle them with a pinch of baking soda.
• WildGame – to reduce the gamey flavor, soak it in a solution of 4 cups water and ½ cup baking soda.

The Kitchen

• Baby Bottles – to clean anddeodorize, wash bottles in a sink full of hot water, and ½ cup baking soda.
• Cast Iron – to clean,sprinkle with baking soda, and scrub with a rag. Rinse and season.
• Coffee Maker– to clean, add¼ cup baking soda to a pot of water. Run the water through a complete brewingcycle.
• CoffeeStains– to remove from mugs, sprinkle baking soda and fill with hot water. Letit soak until the water is cool. Empty and sprinkle with a little more bakingsoda and scrub clean.
• Dish clothes – to remove thesmell, soak dish clothes in 2 cups water, and 1 cup baking soda.
• Dishwasher – to clean anddeodorize, sprinkle the bottom with 1 cup baking soda, and run it through a fullcycle using hot water. Then leave the door open for a few hours to dry out.
• Dishwasher– for cleanerdishes, add a tablespoon of baking soda to your dishwasher.
• Food Storage Containers– toremove odors, sprinkle with baking soda and allow them to sit covered for 24-48
  hours. Wash in a sink of water mixed with ½ cup baking soda.
• Hands– to remove odors,wash hands withbaking soda.
• Oven – to clean, mix 1 cup warm water, and 1 tablespoon baking soda scrub the inside of the oven, and rinse clean.
• Pots & Pans – to remove burnt-on food, fill the pan with water, and ¼ cup baking soda. Boil for 10-15 minutes and wash clean.
• Pots & Pans– to removegrease, scrub pans with baking soda.
• Refrigerator– to clean anddeodorize, make a cleaning solution using 4 cups water and ¼ cup baking soda.
• Refrigerator– to removeodors, place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator.
• Stove – to clean a glass top stove, make a paste using baking soda and water. Applythe mixture to the stovetop scrubbing away the mess. Rinse with clean water.

Bathroom

• Combs & Brushes– toclean, soak them in a solution made of 4 cups hot water and ½ cup baking soda.Soak for 1-2 hours then rinse clean.
• Drains– to keep them flowing freely and smelling fresh, clean them every other month.
• Drains– to unclog, remove as much of the standing water as possible. Pour 1 cup baking soda into the drain then pour 1 cup hot vinegar. Allow it to do its magic for 10-15 minutes and then run the hot water for a few minutes.
• Shower Curtains – to clean and remove mildew, soak them in 1-gallon warm water, and 1 cup baking soda. Allow them to soak overnight, rinse, and hang to dry.
• Sinks,tubs,and showers– toscrub, mix ¼ cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap. Use as youwould any scouring powder.
• Toilet– to clean and absorbodors, add a cup of baking soda to the bowl and let it sit for an hour. Cleanwith a toilet brush and flush.
• Toothbrushes– to clean,soak overnight in a mixture of ¼ cup water and ¼ cup baking soda. Rinse.

Laundry

• Detergent–learn to makeyour own.
• Diapers– to clean anddeodorize, add ½ cup of baking soda to the washer.
• Diaper Pail– to deodorize,sprinkle baking soda in the bottom.
• Laundry– to boost your detergent’s cleaning power and brighten clothes, add 1/4 cup toyour wash.
• Line Drying– to keep clothes from being stiff, add baking soda to your washer.

General Cleaning

• Air Freshener– to make yourown, mix a cup of baking soda with a few drops of essential oil. Place mixturein a small bowl.
• Carpets – to clean, sprinklewith baking soda, and gently brush it in. Allow it to sit overnight then vacuum.
• Chrome– to polish, make apaste using baking soda and water. Buff with paste and rinse clean.
• Fireplace– to freshen,remove ashes then place a container of baking soda in the fireplace.
• Floors– to brighten andclean, in a bucket of warm water dissolve ½ cup baking soda. Rinse.
• Garbage Cans– to clean,make a thin paste using baking soda and water. Scrub the garbage can and rinse.
• Garbage Cans– to deodorize,sprinkle baking soda in the bottom.
• Hamper– to freshen,sprinkle the bottom with baking soda.
• Marble – to clean, make a cleaning solution using 4 cups warm water and 3 tablespoons baking soda. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
• Rugs– to freshen, sprinklewith baking soda, let sit overnight. Shake.
• Shoes– to clean, make athin paste using baking soda and water. Rub the paste on the shoe with a cleancloth. Rinse.
• Silver – to clean smoothsurface silver, place the silver in an aluminum foil pan, add enough boilingwater to cover the silver, and 4-5 tablespoons baking soda. Let it sit for 1-2hours. Rinse and polish with a clean dry cloth.
• Silver– to shine, mix 3parts baking soda with one part water. Buff silver with the paste and rinse.
• Stainless Steel– to polishand clean, make a paste using baking soda and water. Buff with paste and rinseclean.
• Upholstery – to clean,sprinkle with baking soda, and gently brush it in. Allow it to sit overnight,then vacuum.
• Vacuum Cleaner– to freshen,vacuum up a ½ cup of baking soda.
• WaterRings– to remove from wood furniture, make a paste using baking soda andtoothpaste (not the gel kind). Using a soft cloth dipped in the mixture rub thespot.

Outdoors

• Concrete– to clean offgrease, sprinkle on the spot and scrub using a hard bristle brush. Rinse clean.Repeat as needed.
• Grills – to clean, sprinkle adamp brush with baking soda, scrub, allow to sit for 24 hours, and rinse.
• Patio Cushions – to storefor winter, place cushions in a large plastic bag, and sprinkle with bakingsoda. Seal bag and store.
• Sidewalks– to remove ice,sprinkle with baking soda.
• Sidewalks and Driveways – toremove weeds from the cracks, sprinkle the baking soda.

Garden

• Flowers– to keep cutflowers fresh, add 1 teaspoon to the water.
• Gardens– to keep rabbitsout, sprinkle garden beds with baking soda.
• Tomatoes– to sweeten,sprinkle baking soda on the soil around the plants.

Related:DIY Natural Weed Killer

The Pets

• Dogs– to deodorize fur,brush their coat with baking soda.
• Dogs & Cats– to cleantheir teeth, dip a damp toothbrush into baking soda and brush away the tarter.
• Dogs & Cats– to deterbugs from getting into their food bowls, sprinkle baking soda around theirbowls.
• Litter Box– to absorb odor,sprinkle the litter with baking soda.
• Skunk – to remove odors, bathe in a tub of warm water, and 2 cups baking soda.
• Skunk– to remove odors from clothing, soak the clothing in a bucket of warm water, and 1 cup of baking soda.

Related:Herbal Remedies for Pets

The Kids

• Balloons– to blow up, fillabout ½ of a balloon with baking using a funnel. Fill about 1/3 of a waterbottle (16.9oz) with vinegar. Carefully cover the top of the bottle with theballoon making sure not to spill the baking soda into the bottle. Lift theballoon to pour the baking soda into the vinegar.
• Clay – to make your own, mix 1 cup cornstarch, 2 cups baking soda, and 1 ¼ cups water.Knead until well mixed.
• Cradle Cap – to loosen andremove, wash infants’ hair/scalp with a watery mixture of baking soda and water.
• Diaper Rash – to relieverash, put a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in their bathwater.

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