Learning how to use baking soda around the house can truly unleash its magical properties. Baking soda is one of those objects that takes up residence in your pantry like it doesn’t care—and then BAM! It becomes the star. Honestly, it’s a little crazy to me that this mediocre white powder usually dead last behind the cornstarch or that half-eaten bag of chocolate chips is actually kind of magical.
Yes, we know it’s great for baking. Muffins? Cookies? That banana bread I swear will rise this time? Baking soda is always there to get the job done. But then there’s more—it’s not only just helping my subpar baked goods rise. It’s deodorizing, cleaning, and swooping in to save the day. You know when you are standing there, stumped, and someone is like, “Just use baking soda.” And you roll your eyes, but you try it—and it works? Right? Annoyingly brilliant.
So, in case you have been short-selling that little orange box, I’m here to remind you: it’s not just for baking. It’s the unassuming MVP of the house. Let’s dive into 13 amazing, useful, and sometimes surprising ways to use baking soda at home.
1. Deodorize Fabric Furniture
If you have pets, kids, or just a well-loved couch that has hosted too many movie nights, here’s the deal. Generously sprinkle baking soda over your fabric furniture, let it sit for 4–8 hours (I normally do this overnight while I sleep), and then in the morning vacuum it all up. Smells? Gone. It’s like a tiny refresh button for your cushions.
2. Clean Produce
Plain ol’ water doesn’t cut it when washing produce–especially with those weird coatings from the store. I like to mix a little baking soda into water and scrub my produce with it. It feels cleaner, looks brighter, and really, peace of mind is priceless.
3. Clean The Microwave
Microwaves can get…gross. I’ve had the “so I forgot the chili explosion” situation. Is it gross? Yes. What helped? A paste of baking soda and water. All you have to do is scrub, wipe, and boom, hot to trot–and doesn’t smell as bad.
4. Preserve Cut Flowers
This one shocked me too. If you add a pinch of baking soda, to your vase water, you could keep your flowers perky a minute longer! I have done it with grocery store bouquets, and honestly it seemed to droop a bit slower; simple change made a huge impact.
5. Clean Hairbrushes
Hairbrushes are a gross mix of oil, product, and who knows what kind of lint. Every once in a while I soak mine in warm water, with a sprinkle of baking soda, rinse, and let air dry. They come out cleaner–less gross.
6. Clean Stainless Steel Sinks
My sink is where grime goes to die. To rejuvenate it, I simply combine baking soda, water, and a couple of drops of lemon juice. Scrub it all over, rinse it well, and it sparkles like I know how to keep house.
7. Deodorize Shoes
Ah yes, the shoe funk. All you need to do is sprinkle some baking soda inside your sneakers, leave it overnight, and then vacuum out the powder in the morning. You’ll be glad you did.
8. Clean Sponges
I used to throw away my stinky sponges—and then feel guilty about it. Now, I soak them in warm water with baking soda for about 15 minutes. Baking soda neutralizes smells and resurrects a sponge for a little longer—not forever, but long enough to make keeping it feel justified.
9. Clean The Shower Curtain Liner
You know that grimy film that develops on plastic shower curtains? I take my liner and clean it with a baking soda paste—just scrub it with the paste, then rinse. It cuts through the gunk without needing chemicals. And I don’t gag on bleach fumes, which is a win in my book.
10. Absorb Grease Stains
I get irrationally angry about grease stains. When it happens, I sprinkle baking soda on the area (linens, clothes, whatever), and let it sit for an hour before I wash it like normal. It works shockingly well for such a simple step.
11. Polish Silverware
There’s no polish here. Simply dip a cloth into warm water with baking soda, and rub it on your silverware. I do this right before company so they believe I’m a person who regularly polishes forks. (I’m not.)
12. Deodorize Carpets
Do you have musty smells? Pet odors? Or random mystery funk? You just sprinkle baking soda all over the carpet, let it sit overnight, and vacuum it up in the morning. It absorbs odors while you sleep, and in the morning, your home smells distinctly fresher.
13. Soothe A Sore Throat
I’ve done it a million times – particularly during cold season! Mix baking soda with warm water and gargle! It’s soothing, and it kills the bacteria. Not very glamorous, but it works.
You now have so many great uses for baking soda that you won’t be able to look at that little box the same way again. Mine sat unused for months – in fact, I go through a box of baking soda almost every month now! Who knew it could be an everyday solution to problems?
