I’m obsessive when it comes to being resourceful. I’m the girl who scrapes every last bit of my favorite lipstick with a Q-tip. And yes, I’m the annoying girl who cuts a tube of toothpaste in half just to get the last of it out. So when it comes to keeping a box of baking soda in rotation, I’m game—it’s the only product that allows me to do everything from cooking and cleaning to refreshing funky gym clothes for under $10! Not yet convinced? Allow these 23 reasons to change your mind.
1. Bring Brushes Back to Life
What is the purpose of grooming your hair if you are only going to make it look more ungroomed because you haven’t taken the time to sanitize your brushes? Grab the nearest bowl or bucket (or use your sink, if it’s big enough), add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and warm water, allow your brushes to soak for at least 15-20 minutes, and allow product buildup and hair residue to slowly fall off the bristles.
2. Deodorize Dirty Clothes
If you have ever been out to a BBQ and couldn’t quite shake the charcoal scent left in your clothes, try sprinkling a little baking soda all over them to help zap the smoky smell. Let it sit for a few hours, then fluff your garments out and toss them into your laundry bag until they’re ready to wash.
3. Get Rid of an Itch
If you are a human being, chances are a mosquito (along with lots of other bugs and foreign insects) has no interest in being your BFF. There is nothing worse than getting bitten and being left with itchy, inflated skin. If you’ve been a victim of an annoying bug bite, soak in a warm bath with ½ cup of baking soda. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is a natural acid neutralizer (which helps stop the itch).
4. Shine Silver
We all love rocking accessories, and if silver jewelry happens to be your jam, you know it will tarnish at some point. But not to worry! Boil one liter of water, one tablespoon of baking soda, and a piece of aluminum foil, and soak your jewels for about 10 seconds. Remove those gems (use kitchen tongs!), and just like that, your prized jewels are like new again.
5. Make Natural Deodorant
There are enough toxins and pollutants to worry about on a regular basis, and deodorant shouldn’t be one of them. Make a natural deodorant by patting a little baking soda under your arms to absorb (not just mask) foul odors.
6. Whiten Your Teeth
Having a bright white smile is pretty awesome. But keeping it bright isn’t always easy, especially if you are a coffee lover or a wine connoisseur. In need of a solution? Dip your toothbrush in a small pile of baking soda and scrub your teeth with it daily to keep your grin gorgeous and to kill foul breath.
7. Remove Sneaker Stench
Smelly sneaks? It happens. But it is not a good idea to walk around in kicks that smell like old bus seats after a few hard days of working out. Do yourself a favor and sprinkle a little baking soda in each one after every wear.
8. Eliminate Nail Stains
Nails can turn color after gel manicures, lack of upkeep, or simply…life. Fear no more: baking soda to the rescue. Dip a nailbrush into baking soda and scrub your nails in a circular motion. Sit back and watch the stains vanish before your eyes.
9. Take Down Self-Tanner
Excessive sunbathing can lead to skin cancer, which can be hard to treat if not managed early enough. Getting a golden glow with a self-tanner is a better alternative. The issue? Taking it off or being left with streaks. Enter baking soda, lemon juice, and a few thorough scrubs: instant fix.
10. Wake Up Your Closet
Keep your fabulous fashions from smelling stale by dusting a little baking soda on your closet floor or leaving a slightly opened box on one of your top shelves.
11. Skip Shampoo
It is no secret that dry shampoo is having a great year; although it shouldn’t replace a wash completely, it certainly gets the job done. Turn your box of baking soda into a dry shampoo by pouring a little onto your roots and brushing through to soak up excess oil.
12. Clean Baby Clothes
When it comes to caring for clothing for the little ones, you have to be as gentle as possible. Instead of using heavy detergents, mix equal parts warm water and baking soda to keep clothing babyproof.
13. Rid Razor Burn
So you had a little uh-oh moment when trying to tidy up down there. When shaving mishaps occur, add a few drops of warm water and baking soda to a cotton ball to soothe skin irritation post-shave.
14. Exfoliate From Head to Toe
You can spot-treat a specific area or get a good rubdown from your face to your feet with baking soda. Grab a palmful of baking soda and warm water to create an exfoliating paste you can gently rub all over to rinse dead skin away.
15. Perk Up Your Pedicure
The skin on your feet can be rough, especially if you are a serious walker or jogger. Sit back, relax, and treat yourself to a nice pedicure. Start by soaking your feet in warm water, add a little baking soda to neutralize, add a little more baking soda to brush down thicker skin surfaces, rinse, and then pick your favorite lacquer.
16. Boost Laundry Detergent
Toss a little baking soda into your laundry cup before adding it to the washing machine. It will heighten the cleaning properties of your detergent, making your bright attire that much brighter.
17. Keep Cuticles Clear
If you overclip the cuticles around your nail base, you could actually wreak havoc on your overall nail health. Save yourself from a nail 911 by scrubbing excess skin or hangnails around your nail with a nailbrush and—what else—a little baking soda.
18. Revive Gym Bag
When washing gym gear, too often your bag is left out. When this happens, just sprinkle baking soda throughout all compartments to keep it fresh until the next cycle.
19. Strip Product Buildup
Mix a little baking soda into your shampoo to create the ultimate clarifying mix. Once you are done, rinse and follow with a conditioner. Tip: Limit the amount of times you add in baking soda, as it can get harsh over time, especially if your buildup is minimal.
20. Revive Smelly Hampers
For those of us who live in smaller homes, chances are your hamper is in close proximity to many other things. With your clothes sitting in such a compact area, the chances of a slight odor invading your space are high. Dust your hamper down with baking soda to curb those unwanted smells.
22. DIY Hand Wash
Cut back on spending cash by rubbing and rinsing your hands with a little baking soda. It beats out a lot of other hand soaps because it easily strips down grease and lingering bacteria.
23. Lift Stubborn Stains
Had a little bit too much red wine and spilled it all over your beautiful white blouse? It might not be ruined. If you spot-clean and rinse with a little baking soda and warm water, you might be amazed at how much of the stain is removed. Follow through by adding it to the wash for extra stain-removing power.
