20 genius ways to use bicarb soda

Bicarb soda is all in of our cupboards and while we know it’s super versatile, chances are we’re not using it in every way possible. Sure, it’s a great cleaner but did you know it can whiten teeth, exfoliate and even neutralise odours?

Here’s some of the great ways you can use bicarb soda around the home. Share any other tips with us in the comments below!

1. Exfoliator 

Reward yourself an invigorating facial and body scrub with 3 parts bicarb soda to 1 part water. Alternatively, dissolve 3 tablespoons of bicarb soda in a tub of warm water for a spa soak for your feet.

2. Teeth whitening

There’s no need to spend lots of money on expensive toothpastes and whitening kits anymore. Simply mix together a small amount of bicarb soda and salt to clean your teeth for the same whitening effect.

3. Shampoo

At a camping trip with no time or water to freshen up your hair? 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. Cleaning

Bicarb soda on a clean damp sponge can easily clean the microwave, coffee pot, oven, shower curtain, and car.

5. Deodorising

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.

6. Camping cure-all

Bicarb soda is a must-have for your next camping trip. It’s a dish washer, pot scrubber, hand cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste, and fire extinguisher.

7. Fire extinguisher

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

8. Vegetable cleaner

Bicarb is the food safe way to clean dirt and residual off fresh fruit and vegetables.

9. Sunburn soother

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.

10. Deodorant

Out of deodorant? Dusting a little bicarb soda under each arm will keep sweating and odours at bay.

11. Laundry booster

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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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).

16. Treat insect bites

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

17. Soothe sore feet

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

18. Make a surface scrub

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.

19. Remove oil and grease 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.

20. Deodorise your fridge

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