1. One of the most popular uses for baking soda is to deodorize your refrigerator. Just place an open container inside, stir every couple of weeks, replace it every couple of months.
2. After you have used the baking soda in the refrigerator, don't throw it away! Put it in the sink drain or garbage disposal. Add a cup of vinegar and let it stand overnight. Run hot water through it in the morning; it will help keep drains clean and smelling fresh.
3. One of the more important uses for baking soda: Keep a box of baking soda near the stove. In case of a grease fire, you can sprinkle baking soda on the fire to extinguish the flames. This will not damage counter tops or the pans. It is safe for use on electrical fires.
4. Baking soda will also put out fires from gasoline, burning clothes, rugs and upholstery.
5. Give your deck a weathered look by adding two cups of baking soda to one gallon of water. Use a stiff brush to spread onto the surface area. Work in the direction of the grain. Let it sit for an hour then rinse with cool water.
6. Acid burns caused by battery acid, drain openers and toilet bowl cleaners can be neutralized by immediately washing the area with cold water. Then sprinkle baking soda on the effected area.
7. With a damp cloth, sprinkle dry baking soda on it to make a great cleaner for refrigerators, freezers and fiberglass shower stalls.
8. For stains on marble, formica, or plastic surfaces, a paste of baking soda and water will clean them up quick and easy.
9. Thermos bottles can be cleaned by putting 2 tablespoons of baking soda inside. Add hot water until it is ¾ full. Put the cap on and shake for several minutes. Drain and rinse. It will be clean as new.
10. After using coolers, mix baking soda and water to wipe down the inside to get rid of odors. Rinse out, let dry and store them. Put some baking soda in a small plastic container. Put holes in the lid and store it inside of your cooler. The cooler will smell fresh for the next time you use it.
11. Wash glass or stainless steel coffee pots with some baking sode. It will remove the film that builds up on the inside. It will also make your coffee taste better. Never use on aluminum coffee pots.
12. To clean the inside working area of coffeemakers: Mix baking soda, 2 tablespoons in 10 cups of water, and run it through its cycle. Dump water down the drain (yes its good for the drain). Then run one more pot of water through to rinse remaining residue from the inside of the coffeemaker.
13. Uses for baking soda and babies: To help clean baby bottles, wash the bottles with water and baking soda. Then rinse well with hot water.
14. Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solution to keep them fresh
15. Add 1/4-1/2 cup of baking soda to your wash detergent. It will make your clothes smell fresher, help remove stains and will make your expensive detergents go further.
16. To polish silverware sprinkle dry baking soda on a damp cloth rub, rinse, dry and enjoy.
17. Use baking soda in your dishwasher. Run the dishwasher through a cycle with the baking instead of soap. Tang is also good to keep your dishwasher clean and smelling good.
18. For stainless steel and chrome, use a moist cloth and dry baking soda to make it shine like new. Rinse and dry. On stainless steel, rub in the direction of the grain.
19. To remove strong odors from your hands, wet your hands and place a little baking soda on them. Rub them together, rinse and dry. Odor will be gone.
20. Chlorine from the swimming pool can turn your hair green. To prevent this, after swimming rinse your hair with lemon juice and a 1/4 cup of baking soda. Rinse and shampoo as you normally do.
21. To maintain proper pool alkalinity, add 3/4 lb. of baking soda for every 5,000 gallons of water. This will raise the total alkalinity by 10 ppm (parts per million). Most pools require alkalinity in the 80-150 ppm range. Proper pool alkalinity level is vital for minimizing changes in pH or when basic pool chemicals or contaminants are introduced into the water.
22. Add 1/2 cup or more of baking soda to your bath water to soften your skin.
23. Putting 2 tbsp. of baking soda in your baby's bath water will help relieve diaper rash irritations.
24. If you put baking soda in your bath water, it will help with skin irritations and will also sooth the itching from measles and chickenpox.
25. Ring around the collar can be removed using a paste made with baking soda and a little water. Apply to affected area. Rub in. Then let it sit for two hours. Rinse. For stubborn stains you may need to put white vinegar on the stain. Then wash as you normally would.
26. Lawn furniture that is resin based can be cleaned safely if you wet a sponge, dipped into baking soda. Wipe on in a circular motion, then rinse well. Your lawn furniture is back to looking new
27. Weeds growing in the cracks of your driveway, sidewalks and patio? A good safe way to help prevent them from growing is to put baking soda on them. Add a handful, then sweep it into the cracks. The added sodium will help make it more hostile to the weeds growing there. It's safe for pets and children as well.
