How do you use Baking Soda
By EvrWonder
@EvrWonder (3571)
Canada
January 19, 2009 1:10am CST
Baking soda is often used as an ingredient in some
home made cleaners for it's ability to absorb the
moisture of content. It also works great as a mild
abrasive.
Baking soda is commonly used, left open in the
fridge, to absorb the build up fridges odors.
The most common use for baking soda is of course in
some baking recipes.
When we were kids, we used to use baking soda as
an ingredient for our science projects, done in the
basement of our parents house.
The other day I was going to bake cookies.
The recipe called for baking Soda.
I didn't have any, except for the open box, in the
fridge that was working to absorb odors.
I thought "why couldn't I use some of that".
I wasn't sure whether I should of not, thinking, what if it
made the cookies taste like all of the fridge odors
contained in one?
What do you think? Would you of used the open box
of baking soda, placed in the fridge to otherwise
absorb odors?
I ended up going to the store to get more baking
soda.
I needed to pick up milk anyway.
What ways do you use baking soda?
What other ways do you know of to use baking soda?
3 people like this
23 responses
@UtopianIdealist (1604)
• United States
20 Jan 09
I have a box in my fridge for absorbtion, that I try to remember to change, though it is usually a bit longer then the recommended 3 months.
I use baking soda to clean my tub. My tub is not white in colour, other cleaners leave a residue that shows up well. It being more natural and having less chemicals where we soak our bodies is a great benefit.
Sometimes, mixing it with some water and drinking it is a great remedy for stomach upset. It does not taste too great, but we used that method a lot as it was inexpensive and effective.
When I was a teen and would run out of deoderant, I would use it. Worked alrgith, but sadly antipersperant that you buy is a lot better.
Brushing your teeth with it and peroxide makes your mouth feel really clean. 
And, of course, recipes I use often require it as an ingredient. 
And, of course, recipes I use often require it as an ingredient. 1 person likes this
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
Thank you for your response.
I agree that baking soda and peroxide works great to brush the teeth with.
I like the idea and reasons for cleaning your bath tub with baking soda.
I have heard that baking soda can be used as a deodorant when in a pinch.
Thanks again.
@rebelann (111269)
• El Paso, Texas
10 Aug 21
I never would have thought of that. Thanks for that tip.
@Angel3yes (455)
• United States
20 Jan 09
A friend of mine used to use baking soda mixed with vinegar to clean out the blocked drains in their house because it will fizz and push through any blockages.
I actually had the same issue with wondering if I should use the baking soda out of the fridge but luckily found an extra box in our pantry. I have to think that same of that dissolved odor would carry into whatever was being baked.
1 person likes this
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
Hi and Thank you for your response.
My concern was as yours. That the odors could travel to the food.
I am glad I just went and got some fresh baking soda.
I have heard that it cleans drains great.
One response suggested as you but to as vinegar before some hot tap water to clear the slow drain.
@Daydreamer2 (470)
• Philippines
20 Jan 09
my mom use it in the fridge! i hope it can also be used in closet because there are foul odors too.
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
I think that it can be used in the closet. If your closet has carpeting, generously sprinkle the baking soda all around on the carpet in the closet. Leave for 24 hours and then vacuum it up.
Good Luck with That.
@alyssakenzie (462)
• United States
20 Jan 09
There are so many uses for baking soda but a few that I remember are
Leave a box by the stove in case of a grease fire. It will put it out in no time.
Add some to your wash to help remove oil and grease stains
add some to the kitty litter to help get rid of odor
Sprinkle shoes to prevent odors
1/2 cup to your bath water to soften your skin
Gets the sting out of insect bites
If you run out of toothpaste you can use it for that to
Have a really burnt pan? Coat it with a thick layer of baking soda and let it soak over night than scrub it out.
Sometimes I have to wonder how good this can really be for us!!
1 person likes this
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
Awesome, thank you.
I like the one about putting out an oven fire.
Baking soda can also be used in addition to sea salt after having xrays to rid yur body of the radiation. Interesting hey?
Sting Out Of Insect Bites? Nice. I will try that next time.
I like the idea of a burnt pan overnight soak coated in baking soda. I have never heard of that one either.
I have heard that using baking soda in excess can be harmful to the human body.
I use it for baking also.
@mamacathie (3928)
• United States
19 Jan 09
I have used it to brush my teeth. It doesn't have a nice taste but it sure leaves a fresh taste in your mouth for quite a while. Especially if you put a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on the baking soda on your toothbrush. Warning! Taste is not good but refreshing mouth is a reward.
My mama used to mix baking soda in water and drink it when she had a urinary tract infection.
God bless you!
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111269)
• El Paso, Texas
10 Aug 21
Oh wow, I never would have thought it could anything for a UTI. Did it work?
@shaggin (71670)
• United States
19 Jan 09
Yuck good thing you chose not to use the baking soda that was opened and absorbing the fridge odors as an ingredient in what you needed to bake with. It would have given it a bad taste in your food. We use baking soda to sprinkle in the bottom of our cat litter box. We also use it to cook with of course when a recipe calls for that ingredient. I do remember using baking soda to make a volcano when I was younger. If you put 1/2 cup of baking soda in your clogged drain then put 3 cups boiling water down the drain it will help unclog the drain naturally instead of having to use draino or something else. There are a lot more uses for it but for some reason I cant think of what they are. I know you can sprinkle it on carpets to remove slight pet odors.
@di1159 (1580)
• United States
19 Jan 09
I wouldn't use the open one for cookies. I'll usually toss it down the drain in the garbage disposal and run it for a few minutes as it gives the sink a good cleaning. I also use it to brush my teeth a couple of times a week for whitening.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111269)
• El Paso, Texas
10 Aug 21
Yes, using it to clean teeth is wonderful, I add a drop or two of peppermint oil.
@mikeysmom (2088)
• United States
19 Jan 09
i use baking soda and white vinegar to clean my toilets. it is very inexpensive and not harmful to the environment or to your family's environment. the mild abrasiveness of the baking soda gets the stains off and the white vinegar disinfects. i also make my own glass cleaner with white vinegar and water and it works great. i also make my own furniture polish with lemon and olive oil. also works great. none of these things are harmful. no fumes etc. we use way too many chemicals in our daily lives.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111269)
• El Paso, Texas
28 Jun 21
I do the same thing. Baking soda is also great for cleaning up those accidents puppies or old dogs have, I combine it with vinegar and it really cleans those stains up.
@borgborg (821)
• Philippines
19 Jan 09
I'm not really sure if this is true but they say that you can use baking soda to eliminate body odor because it lessens your body's tendency to sweat a lot... I'm just not so sure about it but I read that on some lifestyle magazines of some sort!
Have a nice day to you! =)
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111269)
• El Paso, Texas
28 Jun 21
Well, if you want your shoes to smell better then sprinkle some baking soda in the shoes before you put them on. It kills bacteria so it can help eliminate foot fungus.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
19 Jan 09
I have sprinkled baking soda on my carpet and brush it in lightly. I leave it sit for a few hours and vacuum. It helps the carpet smell fresher and absorbs odors. I also sprinkle it in the cat litter box to combat odors there. Baking soda is also a key ingredient in my homemade microwave peanut brittle, as well as about everything I bake. I have also run out before and have used some out of the box in the fridge. You can't taste any difference if you need to do this.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
19 Jan 09
I remember running out of toothpaste and forgetting to buy once. I used baking soda to clean my teath. I have, on occasions, still use a little in water and drink this if I am having any kind of digestive problem. It is very effective.That is an old time remedy for indigestion or heart burn etc. Blessings
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111269)
• El Paso, Texas
28 Jun 21
I have used it to soak up puppy pee, it works really well and doesn't smell.
@rashmigs (400)
• Singapore
19 Jan 09
Hahaha... Good that you did not use the baking soda that was kept open for days together. :)
I would'nt have used it either. Well, I use baking soda while preparing Dosa (Indian food) or for fried items like pakoda(again Indian snacks) or any such fried items. By adding baking soda to fried food, the crispiness of the item increases and it tastes better.
But, just be sure that, only a pinch of soda is suffiecient. I have heard from my mom that using too much baking soda is not good for health.
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
Lol yes, it is good I went to the store to get some fresh baking soda for my cookies instead of using the package deodorizing my fridge!
Mmm, I Love Indian Food.
I make flat bread with curried chick peas. Delicious!
I am unsure of the proper name for the flat bread.
I did not know that this will add crispiness to fried food.
Thanks a bunch for this tip!
I agree that only a pinch is sufficient.
You are right that baking soda in excess is not good for health.
I appreciate your interesting response.
Thank you!
@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
19 Jan 09
I agree, I don't think I would want to use an open box of baking soda in a recipe if it had been sitting in the fridge for a few days absorbing odors and such.
I sometimes use a little baking soda in the laundry when it is dirtier than usual in addition to the detergent. Also, baking soda is great for cleaning dishes that have nasty stains, like coffee pots.
Of course, I use it in recipes as well when it's required.
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
Hi. Thank you for the advice.
Does the baking soda actually work for cloths that are dirtier than usual?
I must try that if this is so.
Hm, I know that baking soda can make for a great cleaner when we need light abrasive action. I have never tried it on stains but I must.
Oh and coffee pots. I understand now what you mean about stains. Yes, I can see how that would work good.
Thank you for your response Bethany1202.
@dropofrain (1167)
• India
19 Jan 09
Baking Soda is used for the cakes and other such recepies. Even it is used for a lot of cleaning activities. I do not know anyother use for baking soda. It is hrmful for the body so it is hardly being used by me for any recepie.
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
I have never heard of baking soda being
Harmful For The Body
Although anything is excess can be harmful.
I have read some side effects of baking soda on the human body, such as kidney stones, osteoporosis, hurts the lining of the stomach and more.
I appreciate your response as it leaves me thinking more.
I agree that baking soda has great cleaning properties.
Thank you!
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
21 Jan 09
To tell you the truth I use the baking soda mainly as an unopened freshening box in my refrigerator. I believe in the past I have also used it in some cookie recipes when I made things from scratch.
I think that you can find some interesting other uses for it especially the cleaning ideas. I go to a special place called Budget 101 in which they help you find different uses and ideas for household items such as baking soda and also help you in saving some money.
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
Yes, baking soda in the fridge works great.
Just leave the box opened and it will absorb odors.
It does work wonders.
I must look at budget 101, thanks for the tip and
Thank you for your response.
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
22 Jan 09
Hi. I needed to clarify my above statement as to the baking soda box in my fridge. I don't keep it unopened because that wouldn't make much sense. It has been in my fridge as an opened box for some time now and it does seem to work wonders.
@conbill (369)
• United States
19 Jan 09
I wouldn't use the open one in the fridge to bake with. I use baking soda to brush my teeth with if I am out of toothpaste. It is also a natural draincleaner. You take a cup of salt, a cup of baking soda and put it in your slow drains. You then pour in a cup of vinegar. Follow this with hot waer and it will make your drains run faster. Sounds like one of your experiments, but it works. Baking soda can also be used in a pinch if you are out of antipersperant. It absorbs your sweat and neutalizes the odor. It works great in tennis shoes also.
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
Interesting to use as a drain cleaner. I really like that idea, thank you.
The concoction does sound like one of our experiments. So does blowing up the balloon in the previous response! 
I also brush my teeth with baking soda sometimes.
I often make a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and brush with that.
Hm and in tennis shoes. Good point.
I shall remember these ideas.
Thank you for your response!
I also brush my teeth with baking soda sometimes.
I often make a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and brush with that.
Hm and in tennis shoes. Good point.
I shall remember these ideas.
Thank you for your response!
@vanilla_28 (176)
• Malta
19 Jan 09
Baking soda is a natural cleaner which has different uses. It can clean, scour, deodorize, and also drift dirt, smell and stains from fabric material. Baking soda works by affecting both living creatures and non-living things and maintaining their ph balance and carbon dioxide.
I use it in various ways. Apart from cooking, I find it a great as a scrub. I use it with toothpaste to brush my teeth, for face, hands and foot scrubs. Since it is made of small particles it cleanses really deep and at the same time is gentle on the skin. It is also good for covering pets odors, I put some baking soda in my cats' litter to clear any nasty smells. It works wonders!
@EvrWonder (3571)
• Canada
27 Jan 09
Thank you vanilla_28, I agree that baking soda does have the magic ability to work wonders.
I appreciate your response and have enjoyed what you have provided.
Thank you.
