The Many Uses of Baking Soda

What is Baking Soda?

Baking soda, aka bicarbonate soda, is one product you should always keep stocked. It is a chemical salt which acts as a weak alkaline.

Why Baking Soda?

Short answer: It is the swiss-army knife of household products. No other product can match the many roles it plays. 

Such as?

Here are 10 quick and easy uses of baking soda.

1. Baking soda will put out grease or electrical fires. So keep it handy near the stove. (It will also put out pretty much any other fire)
2. Baking soda is an efficient deodorizer. It will actually get rid of the smell opposed to masking it. Use it to deodorize the refrigerator. Sprinkle a little bit in your shoes to mask that hideous smell your friends have been complaining about. Before vacuuming, sprinkle some on the rug or carpet. This results in a odorless rug and vacuum bag. Be creative.
3. That Taco Bell giving you heartburn?  A teaspoon of baking soda in a half-filled glass of water will do wonders. 
4. Sunburn? Insect bite? Poison Ivy? Bee sting? Yup, you guessed it, baking soda made into a paste will relieve itching and redness. 
5. Mix baking soda with 3% hydrogen peroxide to make a whitening, non-fluoridated toothpaste. 
6. Not only does it clean your teeth but baking soda can be used to wipe/clean pretty much every household appliance. (word of caution: avoid using on aluminum products unless you want discoloration)
7. Use it to get rid of grease stains on clothing and dishes. 
8. Just received a bouquet of flowers from a special someone. Put some baking soda in the vase-water to make them last longer.
9. Smelly armpits? Dab some baking soda on 'em.
10. And don't my favorite use, cooking! Baking soda is essential in many recipes since it acts as a leavening agent.

 There you have it. Ten of my favorite uses for baking soda. By no means is this an exhaustive list. Listing all the known uses would require many more hours. Be creative and use baking soda to solve your everyday household problems.