That little orange box of baking soda sitting in your refrigerator might be the most underappreciated product in your home. While most people know it absorbs odors and helps with baking, this humble powder has dozens of practical uses that can save you money and reduce your reliance on harsh chemicals. After testing countless household hacks over the years, I’ve compiled the most effective and surprising ways to put baking soda to work around your home.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) works because of its mildly alkaline properties, which help it neutralize acids and break down certain compounds. This simple chemistry makes it remarkably versatile – from cleaning to personal care to gardening. The best part? It’s inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and safe to use around children and pets.
Beyond Basic Cleaning
- Rejuvenate stained coffee mugs – I discovered this trick after battling with my favorite coffee mug that had developed embarrassing brown stains. Make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the stains, let it sit for about 20 minutes, then scrub gently. The alkaline nature of baking soda breaks down the acidic coffee compounds, leaving mugs looking brand new. I was genuinely shocked at how well this worked on a mug I was ready to throw away.
- Freshen smelly shoes – Sprinkle baking soda directly into shoes and let it sit overnight. The powder absorbs moisture and neutralizes odor-causing bacteria. I tried this on my husband’s work boots (which honestly smelled terrible enough to make your eyes water), and by morning, the funk was gone. Just remember to dump out the powder before wearing them again!
- Clean silver jewelry – Line a bowl with aluminum foil, add hot water, salt, and baking soda, then place your tarnished silver inside. The chemical reaction between these ingredients removes tarnish without scrubbing. I tested this with my grandmother’s old silver bracelet that had turned completely black, and within minutes, it was gleaming again.
- Unclog drains naturally – Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. The fizzing action helps break up clogs, and it’s much gentler than commercial drain cleaners. After 15 minutes, flush with hot water. This saved me from calling a plumber last month when my bathroom sink was draining at a glacial pace.
- Remove crayon from walls – Kids and crayons are a dangerous combination for homeowners. Dampen a cloth, dip it in baking soda, and gently rub crayon marks. The mild abrasiveness removes the wax without damaging paint. When my nephew decided our hallway needed “improvement,” this trick saved our security deposit.
Personal Care Applications
- DIY dry shampoo – Running late one morning, I discovered baking soda works surprisingly well as dry shampoo. For dark hair, mix with unsweetened cocoa powder; for light hair, use it straight. Sprinkle at the roots, massage in, then brush thoroughly. It absorbs oil and adds volume, though I wouldn’t recommend it as a daily solution.
- Soothe insect bites and sunburn – Make a paste with baking soda and water to relieve itching and inflammation from bug bites or mild sunburn. The alkaline properties neutralize the acidic compounds that cause discomfort. During a camping trip last summer, this provided immediate relief after I forgot to reapply bug spray.
- Gentle face exfoliator – Mix 1 part baking soda with 2 parts gentle facial cleanser for a customized exfoliating treatment. The fine texture removes dead skin cells without the harsh microbeads found in commercial products. I was skeptical about putting baking soda on my sensitive skin, but when used occasionally (not daily), it leaves my face noticeably smoother.
- Whiten teeth naturally – Brush with a paste of baking soda and water once a week to remove surface stains. It’s abrasive enough to polish teeth but gentle enough not to damage enamel when used occasionally. After drinking too much coffee during deadline week, this helped brighten my smile without expensive whitening products.
- Soften hands and feet – Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda to a basin of warm water for a soothing soak that softens calluses and rough skin. The alkaline solution helps dissolve dead skin cells. My hands were looking rough after gardening all spring, and this simple soak made a noticeable difference.
Kitchen Wizardry with Baking Soda
Beyond its obvious role in baking, this powder performs some impressive kitchen tricks:
Fruit and vegetable wash – Fill your sink with cold water, add 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda, and soak produce for about 15 minutes. This helps remove pesticide residues and dirt better than water alone. I started doing this after reading about pesticide levels on conventional produce, and while I can’t see the difference, it gives me peace of mind.
Tenderize tough meats – Rub a solution of baking soda and water on tough cuts of meat, let sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly before cooking. The alkaline environment breaks down protein structures, making meat more tender. I tried this on an inexpensive cut of beef, and it turned out remarkably tender almost like a much pricier cut.
Extend the life of cut flowers – Add a teaspoon of baking soda to vase water to neutralize acidic compounds that cause flowers to wilt prematurely. When combined with a teaspoon of sugar, this trick kept my anniversary roses fresh nearly twice as long.
Remove stubborn food residue from pans – Sprinkle baking soda on burnt or stuck-on food, add hot water, and let soak overnight. By morning, the food loosens easily. After burning rice (again) last week, this saved my favorite pot from the trash bin.
Neutralize refrigerator spills – Baking soda neutralizes acidic food spills in the refrigerator, making cleanup easier and preventing odors. When a container of spaghetti sauce tipped over on my refrigerator shelf, the baking soda treatment prevented permanent staining.
Garden and Outdoor Uses
Sweeten tomatoes – Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda around the base of tomato plants (not on the plants themselves). This reduces soil acidity, resulting in sweeter tomatoes. My skepticism turned to surprise when my tomatoes actually tasted noticeably less acidic than usual.
Natural pesticide – Mix baking soda with vegetable oil to create a spray that combats certain fungal diseases on plants. This mixture helped save my zucchini plants from powdery mildew last summer without resorting to chemical fungicides.
Clean patio furniture – Make a paste with baking soda and water to remove grime from outdoor furniture. It’s abrasive enough to clean effectively but won’t scratch most surfaces. After leaving our patio set uncovered through winter (oops), this brought it back to life.
Neutralize pet accidents on the lawn – Baking soda neutralizes the acids in pet urine that cause those characteristic brown spots on grass. Pour a solution of baking soda and water over affected areas after your pet does their business. My neighbor thought I was crazy until she saw the difference in our respective lawns.
Clean and deodorize garbage cans – Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of trash cans to absorb odors and make cleaning easier. During hot summer months, this simple trick has saved me from the gag-inducing smell of our outdoor bin.
Baking soda’s versatility comes from its simple chemistry it neutralizes acids, absorbs odors, and provides gentle abrasion. This makes it effective for countless household tasks without introducing harsh chemicals into your home. I’ve found that keeping boxes in key locations under the kitchen sink, in the bathroom cabinet, and in the laundry room ensures I always have some handy.
While testing these uses, I’ve learned that baking soda isn’t perfect for everything (it can be too abrasive for some surfaces, and its effectiveness has limits), but for most everyday household challenges, it’s remarkably effective. The next time you face a cleaning challenge or household dilemma, check your pantry before heading to the store. That unassuming box might just have the solution you need saving you money and reducing your environmental impact in one simple step.