13 practical uses for baking soda around the home
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is inexpensive and useful, particularly for cleaning, deodorizing, and some simple personal-care applications. But many viral claims about it being a cure, remove wrinkles, or eliminate serious skin conditions is a different matter—and those claims aren’t supported by good-all are exaggerated.
🏠 Home freshness and cleaning
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Deodorize the refrigerator — An open container can help absorb some odors.
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Freshen carpets — Sprinkle a small amount, leave it briefly, then vacuum thoroughly. Avoid this if your vacuum manufacturer advises against powders.
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Deodorize shoes — A little baking soda left inside overnight can absorb odors.
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Clean sinks — Its mild abrasive action can help remove surface grime.
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Freshen garbage bins — A small amount can help reduce odors.
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Clean some kitchen surfaces — A baking-soda paste can help with certain stuck-on residues. Test an inconspicuous area first because abrasive cleaning can scratch delicate surfaces.
🛁 Personal care
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Occasional bath soak — A small amount in bathwater may feel soothing for some people, but it isn’t a treatment for skin diseases.
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Foot odor — Baking soda can help absorb moisture and odors in shoes or socks.
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Mild exfoliation — This is sometimes promoted for facial skin, but regularly scrubbing your face with baking soda isn’t recommended because its alkalinity can irritate the skin barrier.
🍳 Kitchen uses
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Help loosen baked-on food — Soaking cookware with warm water and baking soda can make residue easier to remove.
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Reduce odors on cutting boards — It can help neutralize some food smells.
🦷 A couple of cautions
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Teeth: Baking soda is included in some commercially formulated toothpastes and can help remove surface stains. However, repeatedly scrubbing teeth with loose baking soda isn’t a substitute for fluoride toothpaste and proper dental care.
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Heartburn: Baking soda can neutralize stomach acid, but drinking it as a home remedy isn’t something to use routinely. It contains substantial sodium and excessive amounts can cause dangerous electrolyte and acid-base disturbances. People with high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney disease, or sodium restrictions should be particularly cautious.
🚫 Don’t mix it indiscriminately
Never assume that combining baking soda with another household chemical makes a stronger cleaner. In particular, don’t mix cleaning products containing bleach with acids or other chemicals. Use products according to their labels.
Bottom line: Baking soda is genuinely useful for odors and certain household cleaning jobs. Its supposed ability to cure illnesses, burn fat, remove wrinkles, or eliminate serious skin conditions is a different matter—and those claims aren’t supported by good evidence.
