The chances are good that you have a box of baking soda stashed away on a shelf or cupboard right now (and if not, then it’s just a short walk or drive away).
But baking soda, also called sodium bicarbonate, packs much more of a punch than you might infer from its common use as a leavening agent in baking. In fact, this fine powder can inexpensively replace a wide range of pricey products containing harmful chemicals that many of us commonly use at home.
One very important area of your life on which baking soda can have a dramatic impact is personal care, because it’s both cost-effective and simple.
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Deodorant
You can transform baking soda into an underarm deodorant by applying it with a powder puff. Pour half a cup into a reusable glass container mixed with half a cup of cornstarch to avoid irritation.
Thank Your Body has some additional baking soda-based deodorant recipes, like this cream deodorant with coconut oil and essentials oils and this stick deodorant that also includes beeswax.
Toothpaste
You can also make your own toothpaste. The simplest recipe is to mix one teaspoon of baking soda with one-quarter teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide. Peppermint essential oil is an optional, but refreshing, addition. You can put this mixture directly onto your toothbrush. Another popular recipe uses baking soda, coconut oil, and peppermint essential oil.
Mouthwash
Save money on mouthwash by gargling one cup of water mixed with one-half teaspoon baking soda. This will also help relieve canker sore pain. This mouthwash recipe from The HomeMade Experiment adds tea tree and spearmint essential oils. The tea tree oil’s antibacterial properties help the baking soda fight bad breath. The spearmint oil helps mask tea tree’s strong scent and adds a refreshing minty flavor.
Itch Soother
If you don’t have calamine lotion or aloe handy, mix some baking soda with water to make a paste. Smear the paste on insect bites, rashes, poison ivy irritations, and sunburn for minor pain and itch relief. A thick layer of the paste can help reduce pain, itching, and swelling of bee stings.
Cockroach and Ant Repellent
Put baking soda under sinks and along basement windows to repel cockroaches and ants. Or, mix with an equal amount of sugar to kill roaches and ants in your house without jeopardizing children or pets with poisonous chemicals.
Odor Buster
Another one of baking soda’s specialties is as a general odor absorber. Put an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb the odors (but make sure not to use this baking soda in your recipes!).
Also, sprinkle some in your shoes and socks to counteract smelly feet. It’s even powerful enough to be used in your cat’s litter box to absorb the smell, or for use on a dog or cat brush to help deodorize fur.
Fragrance Enhancer
Extend the natural fragrance flowers in your home by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to the water in a flower vase, which will help keep cut flowers fresh longer.
The Other Mister Cleaner
Baking soda is also very effective as a safe, nontoxic home cleaning agent with uses in the kitchen, bathroom, and anywhere you might vacuum.
Don’t waste money and resources on produce wash when you can mix baking soda with water and clean fruits and vegetables for less. Scrub sinks and counter tops with baking soda and water solution. Run it through your coffeemaker and rinse. You can also add a spoonful to your dishwasher to help remove grease from dishes, pots, and pans.
To clean your toilet, add a cup of baking soda, leave for an hour, and flush. Scrub the sink, shower, and tub with baking soda and water solution, or spray it onto the mirror and wipe off.
To clean and neutralize odor, gently brush some baking soda over carpet or upholstered furniture fabric and leave for an hour, then vacuum.
Editor’s note: Originally published on July 26, 2010, this article was updated in November 2018.