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» Home » pets » 30 baking soda tips

30 baking soda tips

By Green Living Tips | Published 09/26/2007 | pets , home , garden , cleaning

Baking soda - 30 handy tips

My original article on baking soda being an earth friendly household chemical replacement was mainly about what the substance is and how it's made. I also briefly touched on a few useful tips in how the substance can be used, but in this article, I've jotted down a stack of baking soda tips - some of these I've tried myself, others I'm yet to give a whirl.

Special note: always spot test any home concoctions first before going all out. That doesn't just apply to baking soda, but any tips provided on GreenLivingTips.com - or any other site for that matter :).

Kitchen

- A bowl of baking soda in your fridge will help remove excess moisture and absorb odors.

- Sprinkle some in your veggies crisper and cover with a cloth or paper towel for crisper veggies that last longer.

- Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge for cleaning out your refrigerator and benchtops without scratching.

- Dissolve a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in water in a microwave safe bowl, then bring to the boil in your microwave. Allow to sit for a minute or two, then you should easily be able to wipe out any baked on stains, plus your oven will microwave will smell fresher too.

- Sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of rubbish bags will help to control odors as you add trash.

- To give your dishwasher a good clean, run it through a cycle and use baking soda instead of detergent.

- Baking soda can be thrown on stove fires to extinguish the flames. The carbon dioxide generated when the powder burns starves the fire of oxygen.

- Wash chemicals and pesticides off fruits and vegetables in a pot filled with water and 3 - 4 tablespoons of baking soda added.

On a somewhat related note, here's something interesting I came across. Baking soda is sometimes used when boiling vegetables to preserve their color. That practice is not recommended as it destroys the vitamin C content of vegetables.

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General home

- Anywhere that moisture is a problem, such as cupboards under sinks, place a bowl of baking soda to help control humidity. You'll need to occasionally stir the powder for maximum effective life.

- Crayon or texta marks on walls? Try applying baking soda/water paste on an old toothbrush and lightly brush the affected area.

- Water stains on wooden floors can be removed with a sponge dampened in a solution of baking soda dissolved in water.

- Sprinkle some baking soda into your vacuum bag to help reduce musty/pet smells being spread throughout your house when vacuuming.

- Sprinkle baking soda on rugs and carpets before vacuuming as a deodorising treatment. Most carpet powders you buy are baking soda based! Just a brief note on this - not recommended for areas that are very humid as the baking soda may stay in the carpet.

- Mops can really stink out areas where they are stored. If your mop is getting on the nose, don't throw it out, try soaking it in a mixture of 4 tablespoons baking soda and a gallon of water for a while.

- Stains on porcelain sinks, toilets and plastics can be removed by applying a layer of baking soda and then using a damp sponge . I found this to work particularly well on a water stain in a sink that couldn't be shifted otherwise without the use of heavy duty chemicals and scratching the surface.

Plumbing

- As an alternative to caustic soda for clearing blocked drains, throw a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a couple of jugs of boiling water.

Garden

- Baking soda can deter ants - pour a solid line in areas of activity and they won't cross it.

- Mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of (earth friendly) dish detergentent and a gallon of water to make a spray for treating roses against black spot fungus.

Laundry

- Work a baking soda and water paste onto stains prior to washing to help remove them from the fabric

- Half a cup of baking soda added to a full load of washing will help brighten your wash and remove odors.

Workshop/auto

- Mix a paste of baking soda and vinegar and apply with a pot scourer to remove light rusting

- A baking-soda/water paste applied to chrome surfaces, allowed to dry then buffed off will leave chrome shining!

- Baking soda applied to fresh grease and oil spills on your garage floor will draw away the oil, which can then be scraped off.

Pets

- Baking soda lightly sprinkled and mixed into cat litter will help control odor.

- Eliminate odor after you've cleaned up pet accidents by sprinkling over the dampened area with baking soda; allow to dry and then vacuum.

Personal

- Whoofy shoes getting you down? Get a couple of old socks, fill up the toe secitions with baking soda, place into the offending shoes and leave overnight to help remove odors.

- A thick paste of baking soda and water applied to bug bites can provide relief.

- A half teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a glass of water can act as mouthwash.

- Sprinkle baking soda onto regular toothpaste to create a whitening toothpaste

Miscellaneous

- To clean jewelry, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply the mixture the piece, allow to sit for a couple of minutes, rinse off and then polish with a soft cloth.

- Sprinkle your Christmas tree with baking soda to mimick snow - a much more environmentally friendly alternative to some of those chemical snow sprays!

With so many uses you'll likely use a lot and buying baking soda in small boxes probably won't be too economical. Have a chat to your local baker who may be able to supply you with larger quantities or try contacting a bakery supplies company as some sell direct to the public.

You can also save money on baking soda by re-using it. For example, once it has served its purpose as a fridge deodoriser you can put it down your sink to help keep your drains clear.

Phew, that's quite a list of baking soda tips - it's such a versatile substance and certainly a greener way to get many jobs around the house done. My list is by no means exhaustive and I'm sure I've missed a bundle of ideas and applications! Please add your own tips below!

Michael Bloch
Green Living Tips.com
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Comments

Comment #1 (Posted by Diane)

Make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice. Apply to a dingy tub or sink basin. Allow it to dry, and spray with vinegar, then wipe down for a whiter surface.
Comment #2 (Posted by Michael (Green Living Tips))

Nice tip Diane, thanks!
Comment #3 (Posted by Joyce)

Throw away those antacid powders and tablets! Just stir about 1/2 teaspoon of bicarb. soda into a glass of water for instant relief from foods 'repeating' on you. Works every time.
Comment #4 (Posted by Michael - Green Living Tips)

Thanks for that suggestion Joyce, I'll give it a try next time my stomach is playing up.. which will likely be in a hour or so :)
Comment #5 (Posted by Carrie)

Baking soda and borax makes a got scouring powder, a little goes a long way!

PS Thanks for all the good tips!
Comment #6 (Posted by Michael - Green Living Tips)

Thanks for the suggestion Carrie and thanks for the kind feedback! :)
Comment #7 (Posted by Barbara)

Get rid of crab-grass patches in your lawn by sprinkling it with baking soda. It dies overnight.
Comment #8 (Posted by Michael - Green Living Tips)

Thanks for your contribution Barbara!
Comment #9 (Posted by Andrew)

I make toothpaste with 70% CoConut oil and 30% Bicarb both are good for teeth and gums , just watch the stains from tea tannins on your teeth fade.
Comment #10 (Posted by Michael - Green Living Tips)

Hey Andrew, thanks for that tip - I haven't heard of coconut oil being used in this way before!
Comment #11 (Posted by Theresa)

I use a baking soda paste on my hair before shampooing once a week to remove oil and product build up.
Comment #12 (Posted by krupanshu)

EVERY DAY SHAMPOO
MAke baking soda's hair shampoo-
shampoo contains harmful chems like sodium lauryl sulphate,sodium laureth sulphate etc.
now its the time to throw it in the air
take 1tbsp of baking soda,2 drops glycerin,1tbsp lemon juice.now first add some water to baking soda enough to make the paste and then mix the following stuffs withe paste and your moisturising shampoo is ready.
it will not give you much foam but takes away all the dirt.
Comment #13 (Posted by Michael - Green Living Tips)

Krupanshu, Theresa - thanks for your contributions! :)
Comment #14 (Posted by Alex)

Hair wash - put 1-5 teaspoon bicarb in glass add a bit of water until fully dissolved. Rub solution into dry hair (wont work if its already wet!) until damp/wet comb through and wash out. Saves water and gets the dirt out.
Comment #15 (Posted by Emma)

I did not know that bicarb had so many different uses!!!!
Comment #16 (Posted by Yvonne Phillips)

To remove hair product (sprays, gels, etc.)from hair: After you shampoo your hair and rinse, work a handful of baking soda all over your hair then rinse. You will need to lightly shampoo a second time to remove traces of baking soda or your hair will be too soft. This is also great to use after swimming as it will remove salt from ocean water and pool chemicals.
Comment #17 (Posted by Rebecca Fowlkes)

Sprinkle onto stainless steele sinks and wipe with damp cloth to remove stains. rinse and the sinks will shine!
Comment #18 (Posted by Alex)

If you have a Sam's card, you can buy a 12lb bag of Baking soda.
Comment #19 (Posted by Megan)

Don't use baking soda with an electric toothbrush; the combination will be too abrasive. Keep your toothbrush off if you want to try adding baking soda to your toothpaste.
Comment #20 (Posted by Michael - Green Living Tips)

Everyone, thanks for your comments and ideas; keep 'em coming :)
Comment #21 (Posted by Amy J)

I use baking soda as deoderant. I simply keep a small crock next to my sink. It has a little wooden spoon. About 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon in the palm of my hand, rub into my armpit area. Voila. Occasionally I forget in the morning, and in the afternoon I can smell my b.o. I just slip into my bathroom, get 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and rub it on the offending odor. Fresh as if I just showered. No plastic deoderant container to throw away! P.S. I live in a hot and moderately humid climate, and it still works.
Comment #22 (Posted by Michael - Green Living Tips)

Thanks for your contribution Amy :)
Comment #23 (Posted by M1)

You can make a spray on deoderant by mixing water and baking soda in a spray bottle. Just mix as much baking soda as possible into the water without clogging the spray head. It is the best natural deoderant you will ever use...works for well over 24 hours and it isn't as messy as using dry baking soda.
Comment #24 (Posted by Carly)

I read this article earlier today, and it inspired me to use some baking soda for cleaning my bath/shower. I live in an apartment, and the shower wasn't in the best condition even before I moved in (I know, I should have looked elsewhere but I didn't notice the mold until it was too late!)

I liberally sprinkled baking soda on anything that looked dirty (pretty much everything...ew) and then scrubbed it with a hard sponge and some water (I also used an old toothbrush for the grout areas)

It worked amazingly! I thought I was going to have to buy some scary chemical stuff to get all the yuckiness out of my bath/shower, but baking soda did the trick!
Comment #25 (Posted by Carrie)

I have a ceramic top range that always has a mess burned on it after I cook. The range came with a cleaning solution made for ceramic cook tops, when I ran out of cleaner I made a paste with baking soda and water. It worked better at removing the burned on mess than the cleaner that came with the stove did. I will never buy chemical cleaners again!
Comment #26 (Posted by Michael - Green Living Tips)

M1, Carly and Carrie thanks for the tips and sharing your experiences!
Comment #27 (Posted by Cindy Weber)

Try it for a facial scrub - just use your soap or facial cleanser as you normally would, then sprinkle a little bit of soda in your hands, gently rub onto your face, and rinse. Your face will feel fresh, clean and very smooth!

Conversely, try using it for toilet bowls - just sprinkle a little into the bowl with your cleanser, scrub and flush. It's a mild abrasive that works great!
Comment #28 (Posted by Deanna)

I combine 1/4 C baking soda with dish soap. (I use an environmentally friendly one) Add enough dish soap until it resembles frosting. I use this in place of soft scrub type products. Works great on a glass cooktop and is nonabrasive.
Comment #29 (Posted by Michael - Green Living Tips)

Cindy and Deanna, thanks for your additions!
Comment #30 (Posted by Jo McQuitty)

My Dad used baking soda for everything! He used to say it was a good disinfectant and if we had any allergic rashes on our body he told us to put a few tablespons in the bath water and soak for 10 minutes.
Comment #31 (Posted by Gilly)

If organic fruits and veges are a little out of your price range then you can organic-ise them with this formula:
1 cup water
20 drops grapefruit seed extract
1 cup vinegar
1 tbs baking soda
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle and spray on your fruits and vegetables before eating. Leave for 5-10 min before rinsing thoroughly. Voila, all nasty pesticides are gone!
Comment #32 (Posted by Lacey)

I found this on the Internet somewhere, but I can't remember where: for shampoo, mix a bit of baking soda with water (amounts vary by how much hair you've got--my hair's short, so I use about half a teaspoon), rub it in, rinse it out, then mix a bit (just a bit! about the same amount as you used of baking soda) of apple cider vinegar (white vinegar might work, too--haven't tried it) with water, rub it in, let it sit, rinse it out--and you get lovely soft (and clean!) hair. Don't use too much vinegar (unless you like the smell)--but if you do, you can always rinse twice.
Totally negated the need for 'real' shampoo--I've been using it for months :D
Comment #33 (Posted by Lisa)

I am pleased with all of the great baking soda tips. I am nurse and thought I should mention a health note for everyone posting internal uses for soda. Baking soda is SODIUM bicarbonate. Please- if you are advised by a health care practitioner to avoid salts- this includes baking soda. Using a small amount occasionally might not make a difference in your overall sodium intake.However, if you have High Blood pressure, kidney disease, or are prone to swelling in your hands are feet. I would caution long term usage of it internally to "detoxify / de-acidify".I have noticed my patients using it to have continued health issues that we were trying to treat, and the soda ingestion was making the treatments ineffective.They kept ingesting "salt" even thought they thought they were avoiding it in foods.Also,if you use it as a veggie/food rinse. Wash it off afterwards.Thanks and keep up the great postings!!! Lisa a "green"cardiac nurse in Michigan
Comment #34 (Posted by Michael - Green Living Tips)

Jo, Gilly and Lacey, thank you for your contributions. Lisa, great point, thanks for flagging that
Comment #35 (Posted by lee-ann)

i assume baking soda is the same as Bi-carb soda and what i do is put the bicarb into a can with perforated holes in the lid and drop in some lavendar flowers in it so when i sprinkle it over carpets and flooring it has a lavender smell. I also use it to clean toilets by sprinkle in the bicarb and splash over vinegar which fizzess and then i scrub with the toilet brush and rinse. comes up great.
Comment #36 (Posted by Lyn)

Baking Soda, isn't it wonderful!
I recently discovered this tip for cleaning my front load washing machine.
Place half cup bicarb soda into the washing powder drawer, and a slosh of vinegar in the fabric softener drawer.
Makes clothes fresh and soft too!!
Comment #37 (Posted by Duc Vu)

Thanks Andrew for your tip. I will give it a try, but where do you buy the coconut oil?
Comment #38 (Posted by Cindy)

Mix baking soda and vinegar in a plastic sandwich bag and tie it around your shower head and leave on for an hour, then run the shower head for a couple minutes with hot water and all the gunk is gone. You can even see the proof in the bag!
Comment #39 (Posted by Danielle)

If you have a septic tank, instead of using chemicals, a cup in baking soda down the drain once a month is a much better way to maintain the right pH balance for the septic tank to work at it's best level. The tank can turn over the contents faster and in the long run reduce back ups and the need for pumping the tank.
Comment #40 (Posted by Joyce Ghosh)

Somebody please help with suggestions on how to remove old tile adhesive.
Will baking soda or borax work?
Comment #41 (Posted by SAMARA)

My nanny always told me to use it on gastrointestinal problems. If you have a problem with constipation, mix 1/2 teaspoon to a glass of water and drink it. Oddly enough, this will also help with loose stools as well. (same amount)

always trust your granny. she's the smartest lady you know. :)
Comment #42 (Posted by Margaret A. Long)

A mix of baking soda AND vinegar will flush your drains and keep them smelling sweet. Also, Wal-Mart sells 4 lb. bags of baking soda and Costco has 12 lb. bags.
Comment #43 (Posted by katrina schumann)

on simplifymewithtips group on yahoo groups a person said she bought a huge bag of cattle feed grade *sodium bicarbonate** which is the technical name for baking soda; she said has been using for 2 years & still has plenty; it is NOT "food grade" for humans! strictly to be used for cleaning, etc; folks: buy ORGANIC baking soda to make your toothpaste or use for cooking; it is very inexpensive & so incredibly much better for you. Unfortunately anything labeled "pure" here in the USA can be cut up to 50% with other things: like "honey" can be cut up to 50% with corn syrup; a lady in Australia alerted me to the fact that baking soda also has fillers if labeled "pure"; for cleaning it is fine; but for toothpaste & eating buy the organic if at all possible!
Comment #44 (Posted by Gail Batton)

Living in a tiny apt w/inside cat who is HUGE, baking soda is a MUST in her catlitter box, we take out "offenders" immediately, but, the baking soda really helps. Also, the only place we can keep her box is in the bathroom, so it helps absorb moisture as preserve the clumping litter. A tip we learned through trial and error, she had sores on her tummy and was constantly licking the area - changed from clay litter to clumping baking soda litter and voila' no more sores just fluffy fur!!

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