19 bicarb soda hacks to change the way you clean

By now, you’ve probably realised (or at least heard) that bicarb soda is incredibly useful for things other than baking. But have you really put it to the test? 

Here are 19 ways to use bicarb soda around the home!

1. It’s a great exfoliator

Give yourself an invigorating facial and body scrub with 3 parts bicarb soda to 1 part water. 

2. It can whiten your teeth

Why spend money on expensive toothpastes and whitening kits? Simply mix together a small amount of bicarb soda and salt to clean your teeth for the same whitening effect.

3. It’s the perfect dry shampoo

No time to shampoo your hair in the morning? Quickly sprinkle some bicarb soda and talcum powder on your hairbrush and comb through to absorb the excess oil. Alternatively, mix 1 part baking soda with 3 parts water for a cheap hair shampoo alternative.

4. It can deodorise everything

Sprinkle a generous amount of bicarb soda on the cutting board, in the trash cans, dishwasher, lunch boxes, sneakers, cat boxes, closets, and refrigerator to absorb lingering odours.

5. It’s a camping cure-all

If you have bicarb soda with you, you’ll be able to wash dishes, scrub pots, wash your hands, extinguish fires, and have plenty of deodorant and toothpaste. 

6. It’ll put that fire out

Don’t panic when there’s a cooking fire in your kitchen; simply throw handfuls of bicarb soda at the small fire to smother the flames.

7. It goes well with vegetables

It’s a safe way to clean dirt and residual off fresh fruit and vegetables.

8. It soothes sunburn

Got a nasty burn and no aloe vera on hand? Add 1 cup of bicarb soda to a bath and soak for at least 15 minutes. This treatment will ease the pain and redness – you’ll come out fully refreshed.

9. It’ll make you smell better

Remember how we said it can deodorise everything? That includes yoU! Dusting a little bicarb soda under each arm will keep sweating and odours at bay.

10. It’ll boost your laundry

Add half a cup of bicarb soda to your wash cycle to brighten colours and soften clothes.

11. It will eliminate the need for drain cleaner

Add a cup of bicarb soda to any drain, let it sit for an hour.  Then, boil 2 cups of vinegar and dump it down the drain, run hot water and your drain will no longer smell.

12. It can stand in for oven cleaner

Dust the inside of your oven with a light coat of bicarb soda. Spray vinegar over the top of it until it begins to fizz. Leave the solution in for at least four hours and then wipe with a damp cloth.

13. It can also work as regular toothpaste

A paste made from bicarb soda and a 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an alternative to your typical toothpaste. You can add a drop of peppermint oil to make it taste fresher.

14. It can relieve heartburn

Bicarb soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach and/or acid indigestion. Simply add 1 teaspoon of bicarb to half a glass of water and mix to dissolve. Drink this once every 4 hours (or as per the severity of your problem).

15. It treats insect bites

For insect bites, make a paste out of bicarb soda and water, and apply as a salve onto affected skin. Easy!

16. It soothes sore feet

Dissolve 3 tablespoons of bicarb soda in a tub of warm water and soak feet for 20 minutes.

17. It cleans everything

For effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile and sinks, all you need to do is sprinkle bicarb soda lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. Adding coarse salt to the mixture to can make it a bit more abrasive if you need to.

18. It removes stains

Use bicarb soda to clean up oil and grease spills on your garage floor or in your driveway. Sprinkle soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

19. It’ll fix your fridge

Place an open box or a container of bicarb at the back to soak up any bad smells.

Do you use bi-carb soda for any of these things? What else have you used bi-carb soda for?