The Magic of Baking Soda

This household staple is good for way more than baked goods…

This post comes from our blog intern, Emily!

Sodium bicarbonate = baking soda. It’s inexpensive, easy to find and natural. Here are some fun ways to incorporate more of it in your life!

Internally:
Baking soda, in small quantities, is an excellent way to soothe indigestion because it neutralizes stomach acid. Try mixing 1/2 tsp with 8 oz of water and gulp it down. It is also known to enhance kidney function and ulcer pain. To help rid cold and flu symptoms, mix it with diluted apple cider vinegar.

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Skin:
Applying baking soda to your skin is safe and pretty magical. It is recommended to test on a small area (like your wrist or arm) to ensure you don’t experience any sensitivity. Most people don’t so, as long as you’re not overdoing it, baking soda should enhance your skin.

Mix a drop or two of water with 1/2 tsp of baking soda to create a paste for bug bites, rashes or other skin issues. It will minimize itching and irritation.

Pamper your feet after a long day! Make a baking soda foot bath by throwing 1/2 cup of baking soda into warm water. You can even rub some extra baking soda on your feet to exfoliate for smooth, relaxed and revived feet!

Speaking of pampering, if you need a bath — check out this Sea Salt Detox Bath post that uses baking soda to detox the day away.

An all-natural homemade deodorant and deodorant bar!

Make a gentle exfoliator with equal parts of baking soda and your liquid of choice. You can try water, apple cider vinegar, aloe, honey, coconut oil or jojoba oil to help remove dirt and makeup. This is perfect for freshening up the face and remove dead skin.

To help the eyes, boil some water and steep a tea bag. I like chamomile to calm, peppermint to de-puff and invigorate, or green tea on dark circles. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and mix into the tea. Then take two cotton rounds and soak them in the tea/baking soda mixture. Place on your eyes for 10-15 minutes. Relax and enjoy some music.

Mouth:
Baking soda keeps you and the dentist happy! Your mouth LOVES it. It helps cavities, bad breath, color….

One of my favorites requires daily use, but reaps wonderful results — a simple baking soda rinse. Just mix 1 tsp of baking soda with water and swish around your mouth for 30 seconds or so. Do this after your morning coffee or lemon water to help neutralize the acidity. It is also is a great breath freshener!

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Around the House:

Put it in the washing machine. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry to help clean, remove stains and soften your clothes! It’s very gentle and is great for children’s clothing.

Keep flowers fresh for longer. You know the packet of flower food that comes with your flowers? Baking soda does the same job. Sprinkle a little in their water to keep them vibrant.

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Soak cloth diapers in a mixture of water and baking soda (before washing) for a better clean.

Scouring. Baking soda is amazing for cleaning. The shower, the oven, the stove, counters, pots and pans. Anything. Put some baking soda on the surface and scrub with a wet rag. Dirt and stains be gone!

Get the good smells! Sprinkle some in your shoes, carpet or closet. The bottom of your trash can, too — it is a notoriously good deodorizer.

Unclog your drains and clean your sink..

Polish your silver.

Get rid of coffee or tea stains in the pot or mugs by using baking soda.

Common air fresheners are filled with chemicals and toxins that I definitely don’t want to be breathing in. Make your own with three ingredients: water, your favorite essential oil and baking soda. Mix everything together and put into a spray bottle. Spritz your home with a natural deodorizer and aromatherapy!

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+There are SO many ways to use this magical ingredient. What are your favorites?

Follow Emily on Instagram and Tumblr!

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8 years ago

Wow, never knew that you can do so much with baking soda! I read once that a mixture of baking soda, honey and lemon juice would be a good solution to get rid of your blackheads. What an amazing ingredient!
https://www.makeandmess.com/

8 years ago

I’ve always used baking soda to treat minor burns, it’s antibacterial and soothes the pain somewhat. After running the burn under cold water for a while, I rub a small amount of baking soda in with the water to make a paste – a homemade remedy if you don’t have proper cooling gel available to alleviate the discomfort

8 years ago

after I clean my oven, I sprinkle baking soda on the ‘floor’ of the oven. if food spills (especially pasta bakes), the soda picks up the spills – so it never gets burnt in and then when you go to clean the oven all you need is a damp cloth as the baking soda does the rest, also if you get a spill (or a sick cat) on the carpet, clean/mop what you can with a damp cloth, and sprinkle baking soda, the baking soda will neutralize the smell and absorb the remainder of spill and can be vacuumed later…..

Cag
8 years ago

I use baking soda and vinegar to keep sink drains clear about once every 2 to 3 months. Put a teaspoon of baking soda down the sink pour a little vinegar it will bubble….wait 10 min. Flush with hot water

Mara
8 years ago

APPLYING BAKING SODA TO YOUR SKIN IS NOT SAFE!!!!!!!!!

DO NOT APPLY IT TO YOUR FACE.

Baking soda has a pH of 9. Your skin has a pH of 5.5-6 and if you’re male then it’s more in the 6.5 area. Because baking soda is so alkaline, it will literally burn your skin and destroy the delicate acid mantle. This results in dry skin, blemishes, accelerated signs of aging, etc. Same goes for using lemons; they have a pH of 2 and will also destroy the acid mantle.

Anything you use on your face MUST be in the pH range of 4-6. A pH under 4 (or 3.5, can’t remember) is reserved for professional chemical peels done by a professional. And nobody in their right mind creates skin care products with a pH as high as 9 :/

Eliza
8 years ago

Wow, love all the ideas! Interesting comment on the PH an d applying to the face….I just tried a cocnut oil and baking soda, more oil than soda, and scrubbed my face with it and it felt wonderful but I know the skin likes things more acidic. Would adding a little vitamin C powder make it more acidic? Love the photos too Emily!

8 years ago

I also use soda mixed with esstential oils to clean my dreads. It’s better than a regular shampoo.

Suezoo
8 years ago

Notorious definition, widely and unfavorably known. “Notoriously good” = Oxymoron.

As I was reading, I wondered about the advisability of using something that scrubs ovens and unclogs drains on my face and I see in the comments I was right to be wary.

I also wonder about the long-term effects of spritzing baking soda around the room and shaking it into the carpet. Perhaps too much of a good thing?

This is the first article I’ve read on this blog, likely to be my last.

8 years ago

I use it to scrub my bathtub so it’s sparkly white again.

A little baking soda + 3 drops of melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil
A scrub brush and some elbow grease.
And my bathtub is like-new!

Lots of baking soda love,
Tawny
http://www.TawnyMcLeod.com

5 years ago

Thanks for this great post, i like it keep sharing
5 Genius DIY Beauty Treatments You Can Make With Baking Soda

5 years ago

wow!!!! such a wonderful post, i loved this post. Thank you and keep sharing