Discover 20 Brilliant And Simple Methods to Utilize Baking Soda For Personal Care And Home Maintenance

Baking soda, known for its cleaning prowess, is a versatile substance with a multitude of uses, including beauty and skincare applications. It can tackle heavy-duty oil in the kitchen, unclog sinks, whiten yellowish teeth, and reduce dark under-eye circles. 

The problem may vary, but baking soda is often the solution, acting like a magic wand. Traditionally used in cooking and baking, it's also easy to perform numerous hacks with this white powder. Sodium bicarbonate, commonly called baking soda, is an indispensable ingredient that simplifies our lives. 

We will delve into 20 brilliant and easy ways to use baking soda for you and your home, which are both uncommon and surprising. Baking soda is composed of sodium bicarbonate, a white crystalline compound that appears as a fine powder and is also referred to as bicarbonate of soda.

Baking soda, commonly known as sodium bicarbonate, is a chemical compound consisting of sodium and bicarbonate ions. It appears as a white crystalline solid but is commonly seen as a white powdery substance. It's also referred to as bicarbonate of soda. Often confused with baking powder, baking soda is alkaline and releases carbon dioxide gas when it reacts with acidic substances.

In contrast, baking powder is a dry chemical leavening agent that results from the reaction of carbonate or bicarbonate with a weak acid.

Baking soda has a multitude of surprising uses. For instance, its granular texture makes it an effective exfoliant for treating acne, pimples, and other skin irritations. It also serves as an excellent cleaning agent for kitchen tiles. Let's explore its uses, categorized for convenience.

1. Teeth Whitening:

Many people desire pearly white teeth, but achieving that perfect whiteness is rare. Baking soda can remove the yellowish tinge and restore your bright smile. Here's how to use it:

• Measure half a teaspoon of baking soda.
• In a separate bowl, mix one teaspoon of lemon juice or water.
• Combine them to create a smooth paste.
• Apply this mixture to your teeth with a brush or your fingers.
• Repeat the process at least three times a week for the best results.

2. Mouth Freshener:

Oral hygiene is paramount, and baking soda serves as an excellent mouth freshener. It cleans every part of the mouth, including teeth crevices, gums, and tongue, where food particles may linger post-brushing.

Here's how to use it:

• Take half a teaspoon of baking soda.
• Mix it thoroughly in a glass of warm water.
• Swish the mixture in your mouth and spit it out afterwards.

3. Make your Toothpaste:

We often purchase branded toothpaste but don't achieve the desired shine on our teeth. Here's a daily trick using baking soda. You can create your own non-fluoride toothpaste with baking soda and a few other ingredients.

How to use:

• Take one teaspoon of baking soda.
• Add half a teaspoon of sea salt.
• Include one drop of peppermint or clove oil.
• Mix in 2 to 3 drops of water.
• Combine all ingredients until it forms a thick paste.
• Dip your toothbrush in it and brush as you would with regular toothpaste.

4. Exfoliate Your Face and Body:

For quick exfoliation, baking soda is an excellent choice. Its gentle properties will soften sebum and remove dead skin cells. It's particularly effective for oily skin as it promotes deep pore cleansing.

How to use:

• Start with one teaspoon of baking soda.
• Add a small amount of water (2-3 drops).
• Choose Vitamin E oil or another essential oil of your preference.
• Mix the ingredients to create a paste.
• Cleanse your face with a mild soap.
• Apply the paste and gently massage in a circular motion.
• After massaging for 2 or 3 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.
• Finish with a skin toner.

5. Deodorant:

Although human sweat is odorless, it begins to smell unpleasant once bacteria break it down into acidic waste. If you prefer not to use chemical-based deodorants, here's an innovative DIY alternative for you: baking soda deodorant. It's a simple substitute for conventional deodorants.

How to use:

• Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with 2 to 3 drops of water.
• Adjust the water to achieve a thick consistency for the paste.
• Clean your armpits and pat them dry.
• Apply the baking soda paste.
• Leave it on for 10 minutes before washing off.

6. Cure Mouth Sores:

Canker sores, small painful ulcers inside the mouth, can cause significant discomfort. They may be triggered by consuming acidic fruits or by the sharp edges of teeth rubbing against the tongue or inner mouth walls.

How to use:

• Rinse the inside of the mouth with a liquid baking soda solution.

7. Dark Spot Remover:

Our elbows and knees often become darker than our skin tone, which can be unsightly. As a result, many people, particularly women, resort to chemical-based anti-tan creams to address this issue. However, a simple home remedy is often overlooked. A mixture of baking soda and potato juice can effectively lighten dark spots.

Here's how to use it:

• Add one teaspoon of baking soda to a bowl.
• Peel a small potato and grate it to extract the juice.
• Combine the baking soda and potato juice until you achieve a medium consistency.
• Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture to dark areas like the elbows and knees.
• Leave it on for a few minutes until it dries, then wash it off.
• After washing, apply a moisturizer to soften the skin.

8. Remove Puffy Eyes:

Waking up with a swollen eye can be quite embarrassing. Here's an easy solution from your kitchen shelf: baking soda, one of the best home remedies to quickly reduce puffy eyes. Baking soda contains sodium, which helps draw water from under the eye area back into the bloodstream, thus reducing swelling.

How to use:

• Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with a small amount of warm water or tea.
• Soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it to the under-eye area for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Rinse with plain water and apply a moisturizer.
• Repeat this process every other day.

9. Remedies for Insect Bites and Skin Itching:

We seek instant relief from the stinging pain of insect bites. Although not recommended for daily use, baking soda can effectively soothe skin itching and redness caused by insect bites. It is a key ingredient in many topical ointments.

How to use:

• Combine one teaspoon of baking soda with a few drops of water to form a smooth paste.
• Apply it to the affected area as you would an ointment.
• Rinse off after 20 minutes.

10. To Remove Ingrown Body Hair:

Ingrown hairs are strands that remain even after using hair removal cream, darkening the skin. They can lead to bacterial infections and small pus-filled pimples. Baking soda is effective in removing these hairs and reducing infection.

Usage method:

• First, massage olive oil or castor oil onto the affected area.
• Create a thick paste of baking soda with a few drops of water and apply it to the area with ingrown hairs.
• Massage gently and leave for 15 minutes to soften and loosen the hairs. Then, use tweezers to remove them.
• Rinse the area with a cotton ball soaked in cold water to close the pores.

Baking Soda as a Home Cleanser:

11. Clean Microwave Oven:

Easily clean tough oil stains inside the microwave with baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda and vinegar or lemon juice, let it sit for 30 minutes, then gently scrub away the residue.

12. Clean Bathroom Surface:

For a clean bathroom floor, baking soda can be used as a cleanser. It also restores shine to bathtubs and wall tiles. Make a diluted baking soda solution, spray it on the tiles, scrub with a sponge, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse.

13. Shine your Old Silver Utensils:

Old steel utensils often lose their glossy appearance over time. To restore their shine, simply use baking soda mixed with water. Create a thick paste with the two ingredients and rub it onto the utensils with a soft cloth for 10-15 minutes. The transformation will be hard to believe.

14. Unclogging a Sink:

A clogged sink can occur suddenly, and finding a quick and easy solution can be challenging. However, an unconventional use of baking soda is for cleaning clogged sinks, which is one of its most effective applications.

Method:

• Pour two glasses of hot water down the sink pipe.
• Add a ½ cup of baking soda.
• After two minutes, pour 1 cup of vinegar down the sink pipe.
• Wait a few minutes, then pour two more glasses of hot water.

Baking soda and vinegar help dislodge waste material inside the sink pipe. The reaction causes the waste to shift, clearing the way.

15. Cleaning Home Walls:

Children often showcase their hidden talents by drawing on walls. Every home has faced this at some point. Instead of repainting, when your child's artwork reappears, use baking soda. Sprinkle a scrubber with baking soda and gently rub away the drawing. You'll see the results for yourself.

16. Removing Stains:

Leftover food can leave stains on the containers they're stored in. To clean these containers, take a sponge sprinkled with baking soda or soak it in a solution of 4 teaspoons of baking soda and a glass of hot water. Scrub the container well and rinse.

17. Deodorizing Carpets and Upholstery:

Cleaning carpets, cushions, and heavy upholstery is simple with baking soda. Create a solution of water and baking soda, spray it onto the carpets and cushions, let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum clean.

18. Odor-Free Refrigerator:

No more worries about a smelly fridge. Baking soda can instantly eliminate unpleasant odors.

Usage:

• Place a jar of baking soda inside the refrigerator.
• Add some essential oil to it.
• Leave the lid open and stir occasionally to release the scent.
• It will neutralize all bad odors.

19. Refresh Your Shoes:

Footwear can become smelly due to sweat. To prevent this, sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes, leave for a few minutes, then tap out before wearing for refreshed shoes every time.

20. Freshen Your Pet's Bed:

For a clean pet bed, simply sprinkle baking soda over it, wait a few minutes, then vacuum.

These are just a few uncommon uses of baking soda in everyday life. Try them out to make chores more enjoyable and achieve great results with minimal effort.