Baking soda isn't just for cooking! There are loads of other weird and wonderful uses for this kitchen cupboard staple too.
Today we're sharing 13 unexpected uses for baking soda that you've probably never heard of - let alone tried - before.
Ready to have some fun? Then let's go.
What is baking soda?
Baking soda is a fine, white powder commonly used in cooking to raise soda bread, cookies, and gingerbread. Baking soda and bicarbonate of soda are the same product, just with different names.
It's a handy product to keep in your kitchen cupboard because it can be used for so many different thing - it's safe enough to use on the skin but powerful enough to work its cleaning magic in your household.
What's the difference between baking soda, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder?
Baking soda is also known as bicarbonate of soda. The name changes depending on where in the world you are. Baking soda and bicarbonate of soda are the same product, but baking powder is different. Baking powder is made up of baking soda and an acid. Normally the acidic ingredient is cream of tartar.
Uses for baking soda
1. DIY air freshener
Baking soda is seriously useful for deodorising sofas, bins, and even the air.
Making your own DIY air freshener is easy. All you need is baking soda, your favourite essential oils, a coffee filter and a jar - it's that simple!
Head over to Loving Essential Oils today to learn how to make yours and get your home smelling glorious today.
2. Crayon stain removal
Parents, this one is for you! Another tricky task baking soda can make easy is crayon removal.
To remove crayon marks left behind by overenthusiastic artists, make a paste from equal parts water and baking soda and scrub onto the marks in circular motions with a cloth or sponge.
3. Odourless litter boxes
Does your house always seem to reek of cat?
Sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of litter trays before filling to keep them smelling fresh, whatever nasty surprises your cat leaves in them.
4. Neutralise gassy beans
Beans are really good for us. They're full of fibre and surprisingly high in protein - great for vegetarians and vegans.
However, beans are notorious for making us a little on the gassy side. Believe or not, this is easily avoided.
Add your beans to a pan of water on the stove, and heat until the liquid boils. Remove, rinse, then cover with cold water and 1 tsp baking soda. Leave overnight and use as normal.
5. Keep flowers fresh
Don't let those flowers droop! There are many ways to keep flowers fresher for longer, and one of them is hiding in your kitchen cupboard.
You guessed it - baking soda! Flowers that thrive in alkaline soil can really profit from a little dose of baking soda. Just pop a small amount into your watering can before giving plants a drink to reap the benefits.
6. Deter ants
Are ants threatening to take over your home? It's time to build a wall!
It's not a brick wall you need to deter ants though - a small trail of baking soda will do the trick. Draw lines with your bicarbonate of soda around entry points to keep those six-legged creatures out of your home.
7. Exercise supplement
There are loads of exercise supplements on the market, designed to give you a boost of energy and improve your performance.
These can be expensive, so if you want the effects without the price tag, give baking soda a go. Add about 0.2g of bicarbonate of soda to your water bottle an hour before you workout and you could experience more power and less lactic acid buildup - it's surely worth a try!
8. Homemade weedkiller
Weeds can be a real problem, especially if you let them get out of control.
It's time to act - grab some baking soda and sprinkle over weeds that have been wet with a hose and your garden will be looking great again in no time at all.
9. Make sun tea
Sun tea is a delicious treat to be enjoyed all Summer long. If you haven't tried it, now's your chance!
Sun tea is made by filling a large glass, jar or pitcher with cold water and tea bags (1 teabag per cup of water). The addition of baking soda (roughly 1/4 tsp per litre of water) will prevent tea from over-steeping and also becoming cloudy.
Once you've left it for 5 hours or so, serve over ice and add sugar syrup to taste.
10. Keep vegetables green
If your vegetables always end up looking rather sad, this clever tip is for you.
When boiling veg, add a pinch of baking soda to the water to make it slightly alkaline. This will preserve the break down of chlorophyll (the compound that makes plants green) and keep your greens green for longer.
11. Fluff up eggs
Eggs shouldn't be stodgy. If you're struggling to get light, fluffy omelettes and scrambled eggs, bicarbonate of soda could be a great addition to your mixture.
Eggs are naturally acidic, so adding a pinch of alkaline baking soda to the mixture will create a small reaction and cause bubbles to form.
Hey presto, the airiest, lightest eggs you could imagine!
12. Peel eggs easily
Another eggcellent way to use baking soda is when boiling eggs.
Add 1 tsp of baking soda to your pan of boiling water and it will make peeling eggs a breeze - they'll be no leftover shards of eggshell in sight.
13. Make a volcano
We're finishing on a fun note that the kids will no doubt love.
Making a 'volcano' is not only a fun way to entertain the little ones, but also to teach them some simple science.
Head over to Science Fun to learn how to make yours - just make sure you don't do it inside!
14. Descale a kettle
Descaling a kettle doesn't have to involve lots of harmful chemicals! You can do it with the baking soda in your cupboard. Play our video now to see how we did it.
Q&A
Where can I buy baking soda?
Baking soda or bicarbonate of soda will be available in most supermarkets and online. It costs approximately 40p-70p per 100g, making it a super cheap alternative for beauty products and treatments.
With so many uses for baking soda, it really should be a staple in every home. What's your favourite way to use it? Let us know in the comments below.
Here in the uk we cannot buy baking soda in shops as it’s only recommended for cleaning. We can only buy baking ‘powder’ for cooking which isn’t the same apparently. Can get it on line but are asked what we want to use it for. I find this very odd and annoying. It is however very good for cleaning ovens of all the baked on grease and grime. Mix some into a paste with water and spread on interior of oven leave for while then rinse off.
Hi there! You're correct, baking powder is different from baking soda, but did you know that baking soda and bicarbonate of soda are the same thing? So you definitely can buy it in UK shops! It might come in smaller packages than elsewhere because we don't tend to use it as much.
I can baking soda from my local Chinese supermarket if you have one in your local area it might be worth giving them perhaps give them a call first to save a wasted trip Good Luck
Thanks for sharing, Helga!
Put a spoonful in your coffee flask fill with boiling water leave for a hour or so ri ce out It will be spotless
Thanks for the tip, Anne!
bicarbonate of soda is amazing for getting rid of heartburn..indigestion and painful trapped wind....1/2 tsp in a little water works for me xx
Thanks for sharing, Sarah!
Of course you can buy baking soda in the UK but if you want to buy it in bulk - which I do - get it from Amazon. Look for either baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, which is exactly the same thing. I buy it in bulk because I use it for cleaning all sorts of things - it's miraculous stuff.
Yes, much better to buy it in bulk if you're an avid user! Thanks for getting in touch, Jay.
I'm in UK and I go to our local Catering Suppliers and buy 5kg and 5 litres of White Vinegar at once. That is my cleaning sorted out for ages xx
That's a fab idea!
It is also good or cleaning jewellery ie rings etc
Thanks for the tip!
This is really a reply to the lady who said you couldn't buy it in the UK. Yes you can, easily. Are you sure you are asking for BICARBONATE OF SODA and not baking soda. Most shops won't know what baking soda is in the uk. It's a bit short in supply at the moment due to the Covid19 pandemic (though I am not sure exactly why) but you can get it if you shop around. Amazon have it 2kg for £6.99. Hope this helps.
Thanks for sharing!
Be careful not to overdo bicarb in with green vegetables, while it will, indeed keep them green and crisp, it reacts with and will deteriorate, vitamin content, especially vitamin C (a form of ascorbic acid). Other uses for bicarb include a half teaspoon in a thermos (other brands are available!) flask filled with water, leave it to stand until you next need to use it, at which time rinse out thoroughly, this will neutralise any lingering smells or tastes. Similarly, if you've defrosted and cleaned a fridge or freezer, go over the surfaces with a damp cloth with a half teaspoon of bicarb on it, then polish with a dry cloth, repeat as necessary to cover all of the surfaces - as with the vacuum flask, it neutralises and prevents odours and, unlike other deodorisers, is not a potentially harmful chemical contaminant.
Thanks for sharing!
Baking Soda is also good for removing hairspray build up when washing your hair.
That's a great tip!
Use one teaspoon dissolved in a glass of water. It's a fantastic weight loss aid
Really! Thanks for sharing, Adam.
You can also use as a antacid if you have indigestion/heartburn : just 1/2 a tsp in a glass of warm water and drink it works great !!!
If you have persistent or severe indigestion or heartburn, seeing a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment is essential. In some cases, indigestion or heartburn can be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or an ulcer.
Right, glad other people been struggling to find it in shops, as I ran out weeks ago, n can t find it in shops to buy, asked a cashier in Morrison s n she said 'its the C,19' which yeah didn't make sence. I use it to clean washing machine.. so a bit annoyed I can't find any more, as I was getting into a rooteen. But I'll try Amazon then, then ill always have a supply!! Th a xs
Hope you found some!