apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


101 Uses for Baking Soda

0714_baking_soda.jpg

We continue to be spellbound by the soft-scrubbing, smell-stopping, subtle power of baking soda. There are so many uses for it. We recently came across some baking soda uses from True Value hardware - check them out after the jump...

 
 

While this list doesn't come anywhere near 101 uses, True Value gets us started. We're sure we can come up with another 90:

  • In your dishwasher it deodorizes and cleans inside.
  • As a paste it cleans smudges on wall paper and shines porcelain, jewelry and coins.
  • On bee stings it lessons the pain and it’s an emollient for softer, smoother skin.
  • For pets use 2 tablespoons in bathwater as shampoo. In cold weather use in powder form as a dry shampoo. Either way it adds softness and luster to their coat. Sprinkle it on carpeting to remove pet odors too.
  • Make a paste to clean silver, add lemon juice to clean copper pots.
  • Put it in water to make an antacid for indigestion.
  • Its deodorizing ability in powder form is also legendary for your car and in smelly sneakers.
  • Got a clogged drain? Mix one cup of baking soda with a cup of salt and a cup of vinegar; pour it in your drain followed by boiling water.
  • Three-parts baking soda in one-part water foams away acid build up on battery terminals.
  • Trouble getting on rubber gloves? Just sprinkle in some baking soda and they’ll slip right on.
  • (Photo via Babble.)

    Tags

    cleaning, baking soda

    Related Links

    Share

    Comments (16)

    Baking soda makes a very nice exfoliant for skin, too. Mix a bit into your cleanser and massage gently while you wash your face (avoiding the eyes, of course). It's more effective and far more gentle than any commercial scrub I've used.

    You can also try mixing it with a combination of 75% jojoba oil and 25% castor oil. I do this weekly to deep-clean and soften my skin.

    posted by Anna at D16 on 2008-07-14 13:33:31
    view Anna at D16's profile

    "Got a clogged drain? Mix one cup of baking soda with a cup of salt and a cup of vinegar; pour it in your drain followed by boiling water."

    this is actually what you do NOT want to do. This second you mix baking soda and vinegar together the base and acid react to form nothing more than water...and water will not unclog your drain. You want to make a very thick solution of baking soda and water, pour that down the drain and wait a few minutes for it to work it's way down the drain. Then you pour vinegar into the drain and the fizzing of the chemical reaction (remember the volcano in science class?) will help break up the clog in your drain...you will probably need to repeat this several times if you have a difficult clog.

    posted by fischbowl on 2008-07-14 13:34:02
    view fischbowl's profile

    Fischbowl is correct however, this will not work on hair clogs.

    posted by Sara48 on 2008-07-14 14:00:00
    view Sara48's profile

    My friend swears by it for camping with her kids ... she sprinkles it on their hair for a dry way to wash it when they're out in the woods far from a shower. I guess it eats up the oil ...? Never tried it.

    And this goes along with the oder-eliminator function, but I sprinkle it in my kitchen trash every few days until the can is full to be taken out on trash day. It keeps any odors from starting.

    posted by ridge_van_winkle on 2008-07-14 14:11:47
    view ridge_van_winkle's profile

    Hydrogen Peroxide works on hair clogs. If the drain starts to slow, pour the HP very slowing down the drain and listen for the hiss. Let sit, and in a few hours the drains are FAST.

    If the sink is completely clogged, it will take longer, and require repeated use. But I unclogged a badly clogged drain with HP, once.

    Baking Soda also cleans stove tops. Sprinkle on the baking power, and then slowing add boiling water. My stove pans sparkle now. Also works on dirty marble pipes.

    posted by Team Decor on 2008-07-14 14:26:00
    view Team Decor's profile

    posted by ooh_food on 2008-07-14 14:55:10
    view ooh_food's profile

    Sorry, was trying to close the italics.

    posted by ooh_food on 2008-07-14 14:55:25
    view ooh_food's profile

    I bought a new dresser and it has a funny smell from the packaging. After over a month it hasn't gone away. I have filled it with cedar block but that hasn't helped. Does anyone know if baking soda would do anything for this?

    posted by KatieLake on 2008-07-14 16:24:46
    view KatieLake's profile

    I use Dr. Bronner's, baking soda, and vinegar to do the majority of my household cleaning.

    posted by CaseyB on 2008-07-14 18:08:57
    view CaseyB's profile

    Thanks to everyone who offered advice on unclogging drains -- this all sounds much much better than using the toxic stuff!

    posted by Tiny Banquet on 2008-07-14 18:55:16
    view Tiny Banquet's profile

    use baking soda to clean the refrigerator, I use a wet towel and spinkle it with baking soda to form a paste then srcub the fridge, leaves it fresh and clean.

    posted by Loreta on 2008-07-14 21:40:01
    view Loreta's profile

    if you just mix the baking soda with a tad of water you can make yourself a paste to dot on acne. leave it on for 15 minutes or so and wash your face. i get the occasional honker zit (its a monthly thing) and this clears it right up.

    posted by ktpotatie on 2008-07-14 22:25:01
    view ktpotatie's profile

    saw a recipe for ice tea, it said something like:

    add a small amount of baking soda to take away the bitterness

    seemed like the ice tea i made was indeed bitter, but i'm not sure about if i wanna put baking soda in there and drink it

    posted by Tiger on 2008-07-15 01:07:39
    view Tiger's profile

    Tiger: Baking soda mixed with water is used as an antacid, so adding it to your ice tea won't be harmful.

    posted by Daily Nuance on 2008-07-15 08:42:38
    view Daily Nuance's profile

    mix BS with your toothpaste for a fantastic, whitening, breath freshening and super clean mouth washing experience!

    posted by AMNY on 2008-07-15 11:23:56
    view AMNY's profile

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxSZ4yRP6vw

    Baking soda and lemon as an antiperspirant and deodorant.

    posted by piekid on 2008-07-16 13:09:50
    view piekid's profile