Baking soda is literally like a “Swiss Army knife” that can help you with so many different things. The fact that it’s so inexpensive makes it even more valuable. The following list of 25 Uses for Baking Soda That You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner will help you realize this multi-use product is worth stashing in your cabinet for a variety of reasons. Add half a teaspoon of baking soda to two cups of water. Consume the water an hour after eating to get heartburn relief. Or maybe they won’t, but still it worth a try. However, keep in mind that the small crystals of baking soda may be too harsh for the hair. For that reason, use it wisely and in small doses. It helps to remove odors without adding other fragrances that linger and mingle with your shoes. It also acts as a fungicide because baking soda has mild antibacterial properties. Most importantly, it costs almost nothing compared to the many commercial products out there that are touted to mask or eliminate shoe odor. Consuming small doses of baking soda can improve kidney function because it is alkaline and buffers the acid in your body, helping to keep your pH levels balanced. If you’re not happy with what you find in the market, you can combine baking soda and essential oil by adding a tablespoon of baking soda to a small bowl or dish. Mix 5 or 6 drops of essential oil into the baking soda with a spoon until they are well combined. Add this mixture, along with distilled water, to a spray bottle and there you have it: instant air freshener! Baking soda will absorb strong food odors so they don’t linger or change the taste of other foods kept in the refrigerator. Both whites and colors will come out of the washing machine brighter if you add half a cup of baking soda to your load. Combined with liquid detergent, it helps balance the pH levels to get clothes cleaner. Make a simple paste of water and baking soda and apply it as a salve on the affected skin. Add about half a cup of bicarbonate soda to your bath for an at-home spa treatment. It will (almost) feel like the luxury ones at your local spa hotel. So, you can exfoliate your skin with a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Apply gently with your fingertips in a circular motion, then rinse. Mix no more than three tablespoons of baking soda into a small tub of warm water and soak. Your feet will thank you for the treat. Sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of your trash cans can help neutralize odors and keep offensive smells at bay. Scrub the pots and pans and rinse thoroughly. Baking soda is perfect for eliminating the stale smell from overused sponges. It also has antibacterial properties, which help reduce any bacteria lingering on the sponge. Try mixing a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water for a change. Swish, spit, and rinse. Easy and cheap mouthwash that neutralizes odors instantly. With a clean cloth or sponge, rub the paste onto your silver. Carefully rinse off and allow to dry. Be wary of using baking soda on wood, however, as too much pressure can scratch the wood. Trust us, batteries love baking soda … well, when it’s used right, that is.
Baking soda can help with this as well. Mixed with water, baking soda can remove dirt and that waxy coating that you’ll find on supermarket produce. You can also scrub out carpet stains using baking soda and water. It does miracles. If you want to prevent wetness, add some cornstarch to the recipe. To get the full benefit, add some of it to your favorite lotion and the relief will last longer, even after you take a bath or shower. It would be better to brush your teeth with baking soda no more than a few times a week. And when you do use it to brush your teeth, don’t let it remain on your teeth for more than two minutes The same study revealed that excessive consumption of baking soda can also damage healthy organs, so be wise with its use.