So-dang Useful
The staple of most well-stocked kitchens, baking soda can make or break your favorite recipes and no budding chef should be without it.
But did you know it’s also the Swiss Army knife of essential baking ingredients? Here are all the useful things baking soda can do to improve your life.
Mouthwash
The diligent bathroom user will always keep a keen eye on toothpaste levels because waking up without something to squeeze onto your toothbrush is the perfect recipe for a terrible day.
But empty mouthwash bottles do have a tendency to sneak up on us. So in a pinch, mix two teaspoons of baking soda with one cup of warm water and you’re on your way to Fresh-Breathsville! But what about keeping your body smelling great?
Deodorant
Is there a worse predicament than being late for work and realizing you’ve run out of deodorant? You can’t go into that important meeting with stinky pits, so what do you do?
Fortunately, baking soda’s got your back. Make a paste with ¼ teaspoon of baking soda and a little lukewarm water, slap that under your arms, wait for it to dry and you’re ready to go! You might even want to add lavender or tea tree oil if you’re really looking to impress. And you can use a similar trick on your house.
Air Freshener
There’s nothing like a Glade Plugin to fill your home with the fragrance of ocean breeze. But those bad boys are expensive and not something you tend to stock up on unless you’re made of money.
Instead, throw one cup of baking soda in a jar with 15 drops of your favorite essential oil and a teaspoon of dried herbs - rosemary, for example - then mix it up. Et voila! Enjoy your beautifully-scented home! Now time for something to help you relax in it.
Foot Spa
Giving your feet the luxury treatment they deserve isn’t easy on the bank balance, and going to the spa might not be an option if you’re self-isolating.
So why not fill a basin with water and add three tablespoons of baking powder, some tea tree oil, and a splash of whole milk to soften those toes up nicely? That’s your feet taken care of, now let’s hit the bathroom.
Disinfect Toothbrush
Changing your toothbrush for a fresh one every three months is a golden rule of dental hygiene, but what do you do before then? Can you really use the same toothbrush without sterilizing it for months at a time?
Just two teaspoons of baking soda in a cup of water is enough to keep your bristles fresh until you’re ready to replace them. But what good is a winning smile next to blotchy red skin?
Treating Bug Bites
Bug bites come at the worst possible times and the ointment you need to soothe the itchiness and swelling is the kind of thing that goes missing from the medicine cabinet.
But the alkaline properties of baking soda work wonders to relieve that nasty red lump. Just add a teaspoon to a little water to make a paste, cover the area then wash away after 10 minutes. And bite treatment isn’t the only medical application for baking soda.
Sore Throat
Ugh. Sore throats are the worst! You can’t talk, eat, or even breathe without an uncomfortable sensation that needs effective treatment if you want to make it through the day.
Similar to mouthwash, you can mix ¼ teaspoon of baking soda with a cup of warm water and a large pinch of salt to gargle every three hours until the pain desists. And as it turns out, the useful white powder can take care of other kinds of pain too.
Exercise Performance
Probably the most surprising entry on the list. Baking soda can actually delay muscle fatigue and improve performance if consumed after a workout - especially for high-intensity athletes.
Half a teaspoon stirred into a bottle of water should be enough to get you started, although you can add a little more if you’re heavier. But beware - too much can cause digestive or blood pressure issues. And you might think twice about drinking it at all when you see what it can do to your yard.
Weedkiller
Weeds are not a good look for your yard and store-bought herbicides can be a little pricey if you want the good stuff that actually works.
Fortunately, some really good stuff is probably right there in your kitchen. Just sprinkle about a teaspoon of baking soda directly onto the weed and it’ll kill it fast. But baking soda is good for more than killing, it can also breathe new life into your hands.
Yellow Fingernails
Discolored fingernails can be caused by a number of things and could be a symptom of a health condition like infection or vitamin deficiency, but it can also just be down to smoking, over-polishing, or sun damage.
Half a tablespoon of baking soda with some lemon juice is exactly what you need to make a paste that’ll have your fingernails looking fresh and clean again. And if it can do that to your fingernails, just think about the domestic cleaning applications.
Clean The Microwave
Here’s a neat trick to get that microwave looking like new again after years of reheating sauces and the previous night’s takeout.
Instead of scrubbing it to try and reach those stubborn areas, put two tablespoons of baking soda in a microwave-safe bowl, and add a cup of water. Turn on the heat for three minutes and you’ll have performed a very professional-looking (and -smelling) steam clean. If only all tricky stains were as easy to clean. Oh, wait… They are!
Clean Car Seats
Children and pets seem to make a habit of waiting until they’re securely fastened into the backseat of the car before all manner of vomit, drinks, and other unsightly stains start splashing down on the upholstery. Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with one cup of warm water and go at the offending area with a soft toothbrush. If it’s a particularly nasty patch, leave it for around 30 minutes and then wipe clean.
Next time, it’d probably make more sense to make a list of things baking soda can’t do!