15 Brilliant Baking Soda Tricks Every Woman Should Know
Baking soda is a remarkably versatile household ingredient. It can help with odors, light cleaning, and some everyday household jobs—but it’s not a miracle cure, and it shouldn’t be used on everything.
🧽 Around the Home
- Freshen the refrigerator
Place an open container of baking soda inside to help absorb odors. - Deodorize carpets and rugs
Sprinkle a thin layer over the surface, let it sit, then vacuum thoroughly. - Clean sinks
Make a paste with baking soda and a little water and gently scrub the surface. - Freshen garbage cans
Sprinkle some baking soda into the bottom of a clean, dry bin to help control odors. - Clean kitchen surfaces
Baking soda mixed with water can work as a mild all-purpose cleaner. - Freshen shoes
Put a small amount inside shoes overnight and shake or vacuum it out before wearing them. - Deodorize upholstery
A light sprinkle followed by thorough vacuuming can help with odors. - Clean a stained mug
Use a small amount with water to make a gentle paste and scrub away coffee or tea residue. - Freshen a mattress
Sprinkle lightly, allow it to sit for a while, and vacuum thoroughly. - Remove odors from cutting boards
Scrub with baking soda and water, then rinse thoroughly. - Clean the inside of an oven
A baking-soda-and-water paste can help loosen baked-on residue. Follow your oven manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. - Freshen laundry
Baking soda can be added to a wash as a deodorizing aid; follow your machine and detergent instructions. - Clean greasy kitchen surfaces
A baking-soda paste can provide gentle abrasive action for suitable surfaces. - Freshen musty-smelling containers
Wash the container first, then use a little baking soda to help absorb lingering odors. - Freshen drains
Baking soda can help with odors, but don’t assume the classic baking-soda-and-vinegar reaction is a substitute for proper drain cleaning.
⚠️ A Few Important Don’ts
Don’t mix baking soda with bleach or other cleaning chemicals. Cleaning products shouldn’t be mixed unless the label specifically says it’s safe.
Also, baking soda is not a disinfectant. The CDC notes that baking soda and similar household alternatives should not be relied upon to disinfect surfaces.
And despite many viral beauty hacks, don’t use baking soda routinely on your face, inside your body, or on irritated skin. Household cleaning ingredients aren’t automatically safe as personal-care products.
