Baking soda has many uses besides helping baked goods rise. It has several household uses and may help relieve certain health conditions, including canker sores.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, is a popular baking ingredient. It gives foods like bread, cakes, muffins, and cookies a light, fluffy texture.
That’s because it has leavening properties, meaning that it reacts with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, and causes dough to rise by producing carbon dioxide.
Still, baking soda has a variety of household uses aside from cooking.
Here are 22 possible health benefits and uses of baking soda.
Baking soda is a handy all-purpose item due to its wide variety of uses, from cleaning countertops to supporting oral care. Here’s a comprehensive list of household uses.
1. Mouthwash
Mouthwash is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine. It reaches the corners of your mouth and crevices of your teeth, gums, and tongue that you might miss during brushing.
Baking soda may be used as a replacement for mouthwash because it could help freshen your breath and even exert antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Although a 2017 study found that baking soda mouthwash didn’t significantly lower oral bacteria levels, it increased the pH levels of saliva, which is important for inhibiting bacterial growth.
To make your own baking soda mouthwash, add 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams [g]) of baking soda to half a glass (120 mL) of warm water, then swish as usual.
2. Teeth whitener
Baking soda is a popular home remedy for whitening teeth.
Research suggests that toothpaste containing baking soda may be better for whitening teeth and
This is likely because baking soda has mild abrasive properties that can break the bonds of molecules that stain your teeth. It also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which may help fight harmful bacteria.
3. Deodorant
Surprisingly, human sweat is odorless.
Sweat only gains odor after bacteria break it down in your armpits. These bacteria convert your sweat into acidic waste products, which give sweat its smell.
Baking soda is a common ingredient in deodorants because it helps absorb odors. It’s sometimes also used as a natural deodorant to eliminate the smell of sweat by making its odors less acidic, though there’s limited research on whether this strategy works.
Try patting baking soda onto your armpits or mixing it with a bit of coconut oil, shea butter, or cornstarch to create homemade deodorant.
4. Fridge odor neutralizer
Baking soda may help freshen a smelly fridge by neutralizing foul odors. Although it doesn’t absorb or mask smells, research from 2015 suggests that it eliminates odor particles, which helps manage any smells.
To try this trick, fill a cup with baking soda and place it in the back of your fridge.
5. Air freshener
Not all commercial air fresheners eliminate foul odors. Some simply release fragrance molecules that mask other smells.
In addition,
Baking soda may be a safer alternative to commercial air fresheners, as it’s free of industrial chemicals and neutralizes odor particles.
To create an air freshener with baking soda, you need:
- a small jar
- 1/3 cup (74 g) of baking soda
- 10 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oils
- a piece of cloth or paper
- a string or ribbon
Add the baking soda and essential oils to the jar. Cover it with the cloth or paper, then secure it in place with the string and put it in your living room, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. When the scent starts to fade, give the jar a shake.
6. Whitening agent for laundry
Baking soda is an inexpensive way to whiten and clean your laundry.
That’s because it’s an alkali — a soluble salt — that can help remove dirt and stains. An alkali like baking soda works by interacting with acids in stains when dissolved in water.
To try it out, add 1/2 cup (110 g) of baking soda to your regular amount of laundry detergent. It also helps soften the water, so you may need less detergent than usual.
7. Kitchen cleaner
The versatility of baking soda makes it a great kitchen cleaner. Mixing it with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar may also help control the growth of harmful microorganisms, including mold or bacteria.
You can make a paste by mixing baking soda with an equal amount of lemon juice and a bit of water. Apply the paste to the desired surface with a sponge or cloth and scrub thoroughly.
Here are a few kitchen appliances, items, and surfaces that you can clean with baking soda:
- ovens
- stained coffee cups
- stained marble
- grease stains
- kitchen tiles
- clogged drains
- tarnished silver
- microwaves
- countertops
8. Garbage odor eliminator
Full trash bags often have a putrid odor because they contain decaying waste. If it’s particularly foul, this smell can spread to your kitchen and other areas of your home.
Baking soda can help eliminate garbage smells by neutralizing acidic odor molecules.
A 2015 study found that spreading baking soda at the bottom of waste bins may reduce garbage odor by 70%.
9. Carpet stain remover
A combination of baking soda and vinegar may help remove carpet stains.
Mixing baking soda and vinegar creates a compound called carbonic acid, which is a common ingredient in cleaning products. This reaction creates a lot of fizzing, which may help break down tough stains.
Here’s how you can eliminate carpet stains with just baking soda and vinegar:
- Cover the carpet stain with a thin layer of baking soda.
- Fill an empty spray bottle with a 1-to-1 mixture of vinegar and water and spray it over the stained area.
- Wait up to 1 hour or until the surface dries.
- Scrub the baking soda loose with a brush and vacuum the residue.
- The stain should now be completely removed. If there’s some baking soda residue left on the carpet, wipe it up with a damp towel.
10. Multipurpose bathroom cleaner
While numerous commercial bathroom cleaners exist, many people prefer more natural, cost-effective cleaning options.
Baking soda is a common cleaning agent that may help disinfect many bathroom surfaces. That said, it may be less effective than commercial cleaners.
Here are a few surfaces you can clean with baking soda:
- bathroom tiles
- toilets
- showers
- bathtubs
- bathroom sinks
Make a paste using baking soda and a bit of water. Using a sponge or a cloth, rub the mixture thoroughly onto the surface you wish to clean, then wipe down the surface 15 to 20 minutes later with a damp cloth.
11. Pesticide remover for fruits and veggies
Many people are concerned about pesticide residue on foods. Pesticides are used to protect crops from insects, germs, rodents, and weeds, but many have harmful effects on human health.
Peeling fruit is the best way to remove pesticides. However, it also means you don’t get all of the important nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals, found in the skins of many fruits.
Some research suggests that a baking soda wash is the most effective way to remove pesticides from fruits and veggies without peeling them.
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Keep in mind that this method doesn’t remove pesticides that have penetrated the fruit’s or veggie’s skin. Plus, more research is needed to see whether this works for other types of produce.
12. Silverware polisher
Baking soda is a handy alternative to commercial silver polishers. You’ll just need a few extra ingredients:
- an aluminum baking pan or a baking dish lined with aluminum foil
- 1 cup (240 mL) of boiling water
- 1 tablespoon (14 g) of baking soda
- 1/2 cup (120 mL) of white vinegar
Add the baking soda to the aluminum baking pan and slowly pour in the vinegar. Next, pour in the boiling water, then place the silver in the baking pan.
The tarnish should begin to disappear almost immediately. You can remove most silverware from the pan within 30 seconds, but heavily tarnished silverware may need to sit in the mixture for up to 1 minute.
In this mixture, silver undergoes a chemical reaction with the aluminum pan and baking soda. It transfers the tarnish from the silverware onto the aluminum pan and may create pale, yellow residue at the bottom of the pan.
13. Scorched pot cleaner
It’s easy to accidentally scorch the bottom of a pot while cooking.
These can be a nightmare to clean, but you can save a scorched pot with baking soda and water.
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the bottom of the pot, and add enough water to cover the burnt areas. Bring the mixture to a boil and empty the pan as usual.
If stains or burnt food particles remain, grab a scouring pad, add a small amount of washing liquid, and gently remove them.
14. Oil and grease fire extinguisher
Some fire extinguishers contain baking soda. These types, known as dry chemical fire extinguishers, are used to extinguish oil, grease, and electrical fires. Baking soda reacts with the heat to produce carbon dioxide, which smothers the fire.
As such, you can use baking soda to extinguish small oil and grease fires.
However, don’t expect baking soda to extinguish larger house fires. These fires draw in more oxygen and easily neutralize the effects of baking soda.
15. Homemade weed killer
Weeds often have deep roots, making them hard to eradicate without using chemical weed killers.
Some people claim that baking soda is a cheaper, safer alternative because it’s high in sodium, which might create a harsh environment for weeds.
Sprinkle a few handfuls of baking soda over weeds in areas like the cracks of your sidewalk or driveway. However, avoid using baking soda to kill weeds in your flowerbeds and gardens, as it may harm your other plants as well.
16. Shoe deodorizer
Baking soda may help freshen up smelly shoes by counteracting foul-smelling odors.
Pour 2 tablespoons (9 g) of baking soda into 2 cheesecloths or thin pieces of fabric. Secure the cloths with a rubber band or string and place one in each shoe.
Remove the baking soda bags when you want to wear your shoes.
In addition to baking soda’s many household uses, it may offer several health benefits.
17. May help treat heartburn
Heartburn, also called acid reflux, is a painful, burning sensation in the upper region of your stomach that can spread into your throat.
It occurs when acid flows out of your stomach and up into your esophagus, which is the tube that connects your stomach to your mouth.
Baking soda water may help relieve heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid. To try it, dissolve 1 teaspoon (5 g) of baking soda in a glass of cold water and drink the mixture slowly.
However, it’s important to note that consuming high amounts of baking soda may lead to several side effects,
Continued use may also lead to metabolic alkalosis — a condition in which your blood becomes overly alkaline — and heart problems.
Speak with a doctor before trying baking soda for heartburn, especially if you have an underlying health condition.
18. May soothe canker sores
Canker sores are small, painful ulcers that can form inside your mouth. Unlike cold sores, canker sores don’t form on your lips and aren’t contagious.
Though more evidence is needed, some older research suggests that baking soda mouthwash soothes pain caused by canker sores.
You can make baking soda mouthwash by adding 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) of baking soda to half a glass (120 mL) of warm water. Rinse your mouth with this mixture once a day until the canker sore heals.
19. May improve exercise performance
Baking soda is a popular supplement among athletes, who also call it sodium bicarbonate.
Some studies show that baking soda helps you perform longer at your peak, especially during anaerobic exercises or high intensity training and sprinting.
Sodium bicarbonate supplements may be effective when used in doses around 0.13 g per pound (0.3 g per kilogram) of body weight.
Remember to speak with a healthcare professional before taking supplements, and read and follow the supplement labels correctly.
20. May relieve itchy skin and sunburns
A baking soda bath may help soothe dry, itchy, and scaly skin that could be related to bug bites, sunburn, or skin conditions like psoriasis.
To make a baking soda bath, add 1 to 2 cups (220 to 440 g) of baking soda to a lukewarm bath. Make sure the affected area is soaked thoroughly.
For specific areas, create a paste with baking soda and a bit of water, then apply a thick layer to the affected area.
21. May slow the progression of chronic kidney disease
Your kidneys
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is when you slowly lose kidney function.
Although more studies are needed, some
Still, it’s best to talk with your doctor before ingesting baking soda if you have kidney problems.
22. May improve certain cancer treatments
Cancer is the
It’s often treated with chemotherapy, which is a
Some research shows that baking soda may help chemotherapy medicines work more effectively by making the environment for tumors less acidic.
However, because the current evidence is limited to animal and test-tube studies, human research is needed. If you’re undergoing cancer treatment, consult your doctor before complementing your chemotherapy treatment with baking soda.
Baking soda is a versatile ingredient whose uses extend far beyond cooking.
It may help neutralize odors and clean difficult areas like the oven, microwave, and tile grout.
In addition, baking soda may have various health benefits, such as relieving heartburn, boosting exercise performance, and even whitening your teeth.
