Do-It-Yourself

Uses for Baking Soda

26 Things You Never Knew Baking Soda Could Do

Baking soda with wooden spoon
••• Getty Images/skhoward
Updated June 25, 2019

Baking soda can be used to make inexpensive cleaners, health and beauty products, pet supplies and so much more. Give these baking soda-based recipes a try, and unlock the power of baking soda in your home:

Cleaning

  • Carpet Deodorizer: Sprinkling your carpet with baking soda and allowing it time to absorb the odors is an inexpensive and natural way to get rid of pet odors.
  • Carpet Spot Cleaner: Use baking soda and vinegar as a spot cleaner for carpets.
  • Oven Cleaner: You don't have to use caustic chemicals to clean your oven. Here is how to use baking soda in a cool oven instead
  • Drain Cleaner: Baking soda and vinegar can keep your drains draining, and will deodorize them as well.
  • Silver Cleaner: Use baking soda and aluminum foil to take tarnish from silver pieces without any buffing.
  • Scouring Powder: Baking soda makes a less-caustic and inexpensive scouring powder, without the nasty fumes.
  • Dishwasher Detergent: You can make your own with borax and baking soda, eliminating the scents added to many commercial powders.
  • Copper and Brass Tarnish Remover: Make a paste with baking soda and vinegar or lemon juice to clean tarnished pieces.
  • Car Cleaner Recipes: Baking soda works as a tire cleaner, as well as a carpet and upholstery cleaner in your car.
  • Toilet Unclogger: Use baking soda and vinegar to unclog a toilet without a plunger.
  • Marble Cleaner: Baking soda is not the best cleaner for marble as it is alkaline and could damage marble. Here are precautions if you use it rarely.

Health and Beauty

  • Toothpaste/Teeth Whitener: Baking soda is used in many types of toothpaste and teeth whitening products. You can make your own paste with baking soda, table salt, and glycerine.
  • Mouthwash: You can use baking soda in water, with or without salt, as a mouthwash. It is even recommended by the National Cancer Institute for people who have a dry mouth due to chemotherapy.
  • Deodorant: A little baking soda on a damp washcloth could replace other deodorant products.
  • Dry Shampoo: Equal parts baking soda and cornstarch can be applied to your hair to remove oil when you don't want to wash your hair.
  • Dandruff Shampoo: Use baking soda instead of shampoo until your dandruff subsides.
  • Shampoo: Mix one part baking soda with three parts water to form a paste. Use this fresh as shampoo.

Cooking in the Kitchen

Pet Care

  • Dog Shampoo: You can use baking soda as a dry shampoo or wet shampoo for your dog.
  • Litter Box Deodorizer: Sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of your cat's litter box, before you add the litter.

Outdoors

  • Soil Test: Use this trick with vinegar and baking soda to see if your soil is acidic or alkaline.
  • Powdery Mildew Home Remedy: Spray your plants with this mixture to prevent the problem.

For Kids

  • Invisible Ink: Have fun with this non-toxic way to write secret messages.