Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is one of the most useful inexpensive ingredients found in many kitchens. It can help with cooking, cleaning, odors, and a few everyday household tasks.
However, social-media posts often go much further, claiming that drinking or applying baking soda can “unlock the body,” eliminate pain, or fix a wide range of health conditions. Those claims are not supported by good evidence.
Here are 13 practical uses worth knowing.
1. Neutralize Refrigerator Odors
Baking soda can help absorb unpleasant odors in a refrigerator.
Place a small open container of baking soda inside the refrigerator and replace it periodically.
2. Freshen Smelly Shoes
Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda inside dry shoes and leave it overnight.
Shake or vacuum the powder out before wearing them again.
It can help reduce unpleasant odors, although it doesn’t replace washing or treating the source of the odor.
3. Clean Kitchen Surfaces
Baking soda can act as a mild abrasive.
Mix it with a little water to make a paste and use it on appropriate hard surfaces such as sinks and some countertops.
Always check the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations first, because abrasive powders can damage delicate finishes.
4. Remove Food Residue From Pots
For stubborn food residue, add some baking soda and water to the cookware and allow it to soak.
A gentle scrub afterward can help loosen the remaining residue.
Avoid aggressive scrubbing on surfaces that scratch easily.
5. Freshen a Sink
Sprinkling baking soda into a damp sink and gently scrubbing can help remove food odors and residue.
Rinse thoroughly afterward.
6. Deodorize Carpets
A light layer of baking soda can be used as a temporary deodorizing treatment for some carpets.
Sprinkle it lightly, leave it for a while, and then vacuum thoroughly.
Check the carpet manufacturer’s instructions first and avoid creating excessive airborne dust.
7. Clean Some Bathroom Surfaces
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