This post comes from Sarah Lipoff at partner site POPSUGAR.
Baking soda isn’t just for baking. Save money by learning alternative uses for everyday items that are so useful around the home.
For about $1 a box, baking soda is a smart pantry item to have on hand. From personal hygiene to around-the-house cleaning, here are 20 alternative uses for sodium bicarbonate:
- Deodorizer. Not sure what’s smelling up your fridge? As a quick fix, place an open box of baking soda on a refrigerator door shelf. It will soak up the foul smell while you’re busy finding the culprit.
- Pedicure treatment. If you can’t afford a standard spa treatment, create a foot soak by adding baking soda to warm water. It’s a well-known way to heal athlete’s foot, but it’s also great for easing calluses.
- Fire stopper. Keep a box of baking soda close to the oven to put out grease fires. The minute you see flames, dump baking soda to douse the fire.
- Stain remover. Mix baking soda and other ingredients into a paste to create a stain treatment, then apply to tough stains before tossing in the wash.
- Carpet cleaner. Before you vacuum, sprinkle some baking soda over the carpet and let it sit for a few minutes. When you vacuum, the carpet will smell extra fresh.
- Toothpaste. It may seem strange to use the same thing on your teeth as you do your carpet, but it’s definitely an option. When your standard tube of toothpaste empties, mix baking soda with water to clean your teeth and freshen your breath.
- Deep clean your mattress. Refresh your mattress with the help of baking soda, which leaves your bed seriously clean.
- Clean your dishwasher. If your dishwasher isn’t smelling as fresh as it used to, make these easy baking soda dishwasher cleaners that leave things sparkling.
- Unhappy tummy. Upset stomach? Mix one teaspoon baking soda with a glass of warm water to aid digestion.
- Homemade soft scrub. When baking pans are seriously dirty, make your own soft scrub to tackle the mess.
- Exfoliate! Instead of tossing down cash for expensive exfoliants, simply mix three parts baking soda with one part water and use it to gently scrub your face, hands and feet.
- Sneaker help. Are your workout shoes not so fresh? Sprinkle the inside of the shoes with baking soda, which absorbs the smell. Shake out before wearing.
- Toilet trouble. When your commode isn’t flushing properly, use a bit of baking soda to help unclog the problem.
- Garbage disposal cleaner. Mix together baking soda and lemon peel for a refreshing garbage disposal cleaner that really does the job.
- Smell fresh. Simply pat baking soda under arms to fix not-so-fresh-smelling body odor.
- Bathroom buster. Keep your tub’s tile and grout nice and clean with a homemade baking soda scrub that will leave things sparkling.
- Clean the toilet. Make your commode sparkle with the help of homemade toilet bowl cleaner that busts up stains and leaves things wonderfully fresh.
- Happy flowers. Add one teaspoon of baking soda to flower water to keep them fresh longer.
- Metal pan cleaner. If your sheet pans are pretty dingy, this baking soda solution can make them look new again.
- Stop itch. Got a bug bite? Baking soda to the rescue! Here’s how to stop that itch.
To see POPSUGAR’s complete list of 34 uses for baking soda other than baking, click here.
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