20 Brilliant Ways to Use Bicarb (Baking) Soda (Your Home’s Secret Weapon)

ByMelissa Goodwin Updated on

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Bicarb soda (baking soda) is the ultimate multi-tasker for your home and beyond. Affordable, natural, and incredibly versatile, it’s a household essential that deserves a spot in every cupboard.

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Bicarbonate of Soda (bicarb or baking soda) is my favourite household essential.

Whether you’re baking, cleaning, deodorising, or tackling tough stains, bicarb soda delivers results without the need for harsh chemicals. 

It’s inexpensive and can be purchased at your local grocery store for a couple of dollars (cheaper at Aldi), making it an easy addition to every pantry.

Coupled with vinegar (not necessarily at the same time), you’ve covered almost every cleaning task in the house.

Here’s everything you need to know about using baking soda around the home.

The Science Behind Baking Soda’s Versatility

Bicarbonate of soda, or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), is a naturally occurring compound with versatile properties that make it an essential household product. 

Here’s the overview:

Its mildly alkaline nature (pH ~8-9 (9.5 according to the US Geological Survey)) allows it to dissolve organic compounds like dirt and grease, according to LiveScience. It can also neutralise acids, which is why it’s great as a deodoriser and cleaner (many smells, stains, etc, can be acidic).

The mineral structure of each baking soda particle makes it a gentle abrasive, great for gently scrubbing away stains.

When it reacts with acidic substances (like vinegar), it produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and salt—a reaction that helps to unclog drains, lift dirt, and loosen stubborn residues. According to LiveScience, it’s important not to combine them in equal quantities because you want to keep the mixture on either the acidic or basic side of neutral pH.

Finally, its eco-friendly, biodegradable nature enhances its appeal as a non-toxic alternative to harsh chemicals. 

Quick Tips for Success

  • Sprinkle with Ease: Use a kitchen shaker for precise, mess-free application.
  • Avoid Residue: Rinse thoroughly after cleaning to avoid any powdery film.

Smart Cleaning Hacks with Baking Soda

Thanks to its abrasive and neutralising properties, bicarb soda makes a great household cleaner.

My favourite way to use it as a cleaner is to sprinkle it on stains on benches and gently rub until the stain is gone. Sharpie on the bench-gone! Rust from a bobby pin on the bathroom bench-gone! A pink stain from food dye on the bench-gone! Crayon on the wall? You get the picture.

Keep in mind, our laminate benches are nearly 40 years old and poo-brown, so I’m not very precious about them. Because it is mildly abrasive and alkaline, it can damage stone over time, so take care with stone or wood surfaces and test in an inconspicuous area first.

  • Carpet Deodoriser: Sprinkle bicarb over your carpet, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum. For a fresh scent, add a few drops of essential oil before sprinkling. Caution: Check your vacuum cleaner’s instructions, as fine baking soda particles can damage some models.
  • Crockery Stain Remover: This is my favourite way to use bicarb, and I use it all the time. It’s a miracle worker! Sprinkle bicarb on a damp cloth and gently scrub tea or coffee stains from cups and mugs. Rinse well.
  • Burnt Pot Rescue: Soak pans with burnt-on food in warm water and 2 tablespoons of bicarb overnight for easy clean up. For tougher stains, boil a solution of vinegar and water in the pot. Be aware that heating vinegar produces strong fumes.
  • Shower and Sink Scrub: Make a paste with bicarb and water to tackle soap scum, rust stains, and hard water marks. My plumber told me to mix bicarb and dishwashing detergent for the best soap scum remover – it does make the shower slippery, so rinse well.
  • Oven Cleaner: Coat the inside of your oven with a bicarb paste (mix with water), let it sit overnight, and wipe clean the next day. This works for a mildly dirty oven, but it’s not a miracle cleaner when it comes to baked-on food. Use sparingly on self-cleaning ovens, as baking soda can damage the coating.
  • Silver Polish: Restore tarnished silverware by rubbing it with a paste of bicarb and water. Rinse and buff with a soft cloth. Avoid using on antique or plated silver to prevent damage.
  • Drain Unclogger: Pour 1 tablespoon of bicarb followed by 3 tablespoons of vinegar down the drain. Once it stops fizzing, flush with boiling water. This works if the drain is mildly clogged, but there are times when you need commercial drain cleaner when it’s really clogged.
  • Mat Cleaner: Clean yoga mats or door mats by sprinkling bicarb, scrubbing gently, and rinsing.
  • Baby Gear Cleaner: Use a paste of bicarb and water to gently clean toys or highchairs without harsh chemicals. Rinse well.
  • Rust Remover: Apply a paste of bicarb and water to rust spots, let it sit, then scrub with a brush.

Kitchen Tips

  • Chopping Board Odour Remover: To eliminate strong food smells, soak wooden or plastic boards in a solution of water and bicarb. Alternatively, sprinkle with baking soda and let stand overnight.
  • Food Container Freshener: Soak (clean) food containers with water and baking soda to eliminate lingering odours. Let sit overnight, then wash as usual.
  • Fridge Odour Absorber: Place an open bowl of bicarb soda in your fridge to neutralise food odours. Replace every three months to maintain its effectiveness.

Laundry and Fabric Care

When DS came home from a two-week Scout camp, where it rained, partially flooded, and also had a heat wave, to say his clothes stank was an understatement. They went straight into the dog bath in the yard with a TON of bicarb soda. Between the bicarb, the wash, and the neutralising powers of direct sunlight, those clothes came up like new.

  • Laundry Softener: Add 1/2 cup of bicarb to your washing machine to soften clothes and remove smells.
  • Sneaker Deodoriser: Sprinkle bicarb inside shoes overnight to eliminate odours.

Personal Care Uses

Bicarb soda has many uses in personal care.

You can find it in all sorts of commercial products these days from toothpaste, to bath salts, and deodorant.

It is generally considered safe for most people, but for those with sensitive skin or underlying skin conditions, it may cause irritation. Bicarb is more alkaline than your skin, which can disrupt your skin’s natural pH balance. In rare cases, it can trigger an allergic reaction. It’s important to consult a qualified dermatologist before using bicarb soda, especially if you have sensitive skin or specific conditions.

  • Skin-Softening Bath: Add 1/2 cup of bicarb to your bathwater for soft, soothed skin. It works by neutralising acids and washing away sweat and oil, helping to soften the skin [source]. According to Healthline, it may relieve itching and irritation for minor skin conditions but always consult your doctor before using it.
  • Underarm Deodoriser: Dust a small amount of bicarb soda under your arms to absorb odours naturally. As an alternative to talc, it helps neutralise odour but does not prevent sweating. For some people, (myself included), it may cause redness or itching; discontinue use if this occurs. Before trying this tip, perform a patch test on a small area of skin and wait 24 hours to check for adverse reactions.

Bonus Uses

As mentioned above, clothes and other camping items can get stinky quickly, especially in inclement weather. Taking some bicarb with you can help prevent bringing all that stink home.

The other thing that can smell? Pets. Not going to lie, our house smells like dog. A lot. Here’s how bicarb can help.

  • Camping Essential: Pack bicarb for deodorising, cleaning pots, etc, during your outdoor adventures. You can find more ideas for using baking soda on the trail at A Backpacker’s Life.
  • Pet Bedding Refresher: Sprinkle bicarb on pet bedding before washing to neutralise odours.

What are your favourite ways to use bicarb soda? Share your tips in the comments below! If you loved these ideas, don’t forget to pin this post or share it with a friend.

Melissa Goodwin

Mel Goodwin has been writing about frugal living for 10+ years but has been saving her pennies since she first got pocket money. Before writing about frugal living, Mel worked as an accountant. As well as a diploma in accounting, Mel has an honours degree in humanities, including writing and research. She also studied to be a teacher and loves sharing the things that she has learned and helping others to achieve their goals.

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7 Comments

  1. I couldn’t go without bicarb either! I’ve been washing my hair with it for over 2 years, no need for shampoo. Just remember to rinse with diluted lemon juice or vinegar to restore the pH balance of your scalp and hair.
    We keep a small container of bicarb right by the kitchen sink, and use it often when doing the dishes. It’s a great grease cutter.

    Reply

  2. Hi Ophelia,
    We also have a shake container of bicarb at the sink. It works well for baked on foods too!

    I tried bicarb and vinegar on my hair for about a month and it didn’t really work for me. I’ve been using natural soap instead, which is a little better, but still not great. My friend was a little aghast I think at the thought of soap as shampoo – she bought me some organic shampoo for my birthday!

    How do you wash your hair with bicarb and vinegar? Do you keep it in a bottle in the shower? Just wondering about the practicalities. I think I might try it again. I hear a lot how good bicarb and vinegar is for hair. Maybe I was doing it wrong.

    Reply

  3. You probably aren’t doing it wrong, it just takes time for your hair to adjust – I wouldn’t think that one month would be enough time. Truthfully, you have to be committed to this method because it can be a rocky road while you learn to be intuitive with quantities, variations, etc.

    Over the 2 years I’ve been doing this I’ve had plenty of bad hair days, especially at the beginning, and every now and then even now. Just a few weeks ago I was seriously considering whether or not I wanted to continue…but persevering and tweaking the routine a little has been just the ticket, and things are going well again.

    I don’t use vinegar because I have oily hair (and dry ends), and the vinegar makes it lank and greasy looking. Lemon juice works well for me.

    Something I do when my hair isn’t responding well (by the way, I had this problem even when I was using shampoo – had to rotate brands constantly), is to stop washing it for a while, or stop lemon juice, or use soap. Something different, whatever it is. After a few days of that, I find that going back to the bicarb gives fantastic results! My hair is long enough to tie back, so bad hair days don’t even show.

    To answer your question, I keep the bicarb as powder in a plastic container on my shower shelf, along with a Coles brand lemon juice bottle, a small container of honey, and a metal cup with a teaspoon in it. A few teaspoons of bicarb (actually I just shake the bicarb into my hand, no measuring, you get to know what you need over time) in the metal cup, mix with water to no more than 250ml, mix around, pour over head, massage scalp, massage hair only when needed such as after an oil conditioning treatment. Rinse. Follow with a teaspoon of lemon juice in the metal cup, dilute with water as before, pour over head, rinse.

    Once a week I mix a teaspoon of honey with the bicarb before adding water, use a small amount as a mild scrub on my dampened face, mix the rest with water and wash hair as described above. Rinse with diluted lemon juice.

    Having the bicarb in the shower is great – I clean the shower with it while I’m in there.

    People do give you funny looks when they hear you don’t use shampoo, don’t they! Redefining normal in our own way, as it feels right, for our own reasons, no matter what anyone else thinks, is so much fun.

    Thank you for your continuing inspiration for my frugal journey!

    Reply

  4. Thanks for your advice. I used vinegar for a while and that’s exactly how my hair turned out, so I’ll give lemon juice a go. I figured after using soap for almost a year that my hair would just adjust to bicarb (it’s also been several years since it’s had chemical shampoos on it), but you’re probably right, I need to give it longer. When my new shampoo runs out (I’m using it in very small amounts to make it last, I have to admit, it is lovely) I’ll give bicarb and lemon another try. Thanks again for your advice!

    Reply