The Ultimate Guide to Making Baking Soda Part of Your Eco-Friendly Routine

Could your solution to a cleaner home, improved hygiene and even a more comfortable camping trip lurk unused in your refrigerator or pantry? Baking soda is amazing stuff with a host of environmentally friendly uses. 

This stuff won’t harm the planet — and may just answer your prayers. Here’s your ultimate guide to making baking soda part of your eco-friendly routine. 

Cleaning Uses 

Baking soda is gentle on Mother Earth, but tough enough to handle some of your worst messes. 

1. Scrub Your Oven 

Start with a big box of the white stuff, as you need enough to coat the oven’s entire interior. Start by mixing a half cup of baking soda with water until it forms a paste-like consistency. Slather it all over the inside of your crusty oven. Let it sit for at least 12 hours before wiping it away, using a scraper on particularly hardened bits, but avoiding abrasive pads. Follow up by wiping down the interior with vinegar for a sparkling shine. 

2. Clean Your Grout

Old toothbrushes often find new life as grout cleaners, but they work even better with a bit of baking soda. Make a paste similar to the oven cleaner you made above. Dip a toothbrush in the stuff and get to scrubbing. You can also let it sit for a few hours to pull out particularly tough stains. 

3. Garbage Disposal Volcano 

Once upon a time in science class, you made a volcano with baking soda and vinegar. You can use the same chemistry magic to clean and disinfect your garbage disposal. Simply add a generous scoop of baking soda directly to the drain and pour vinegar on top to create a satisfying foam bath, which you can rinse by turning on the tap. 

4. Freshen Your Fabrics

Imbue your carpets, couches and other fabrics with a signature fragrance by mixing a few drops of your favorite essential oil with baking soda, shaking the container occasionally over 24 hours. Then, sprinkle it anywhere you need freshness. A bit of baking soda can also absorb mild stains — cover the spot, leave it overnight and vacuum (or scrub it up) in the morning. 

Hygiene Uses 

Baking soda can also keep you fresh and clean. 

1. Polish Your Pearlies

Baking soda is a fabulous natural toothpaste — simply mix it with water. It’s great for deep cleaning your teeth, especially when combined with oil pulling. Rinse your mouth with coconut or olive oil for at least five minutes to pull out toxins before brushing. Doing so removes the germs known for causing bad breath and whitens your smile. 

2. Freshen Your ‘Do 

You can sprinkle baking soda as an alternative to dry shampoo on days when you don’t have time for a full wash. Furthermore, add a teaspoon of it to a spray bottle and keep it in your gym bag for use after swimming. This alkaline water neutralizes the chlorine and protects your hair from damage. 

3. Deodorize Your Dog 

Baking soda is also the perfect way to give your reluctant doggo a “bath.” Simply sprinkle on the powder, then brush it out along with the dirt and grime that makes your pet smell less than fresh.

Unusual Uses

Here are six more surprising uses for the overlooked pantry treasure in your eco-friendly routine. 

1. Dispatch a Roach 

Baking soda kills cockroaches — the trick is getting them to consume it. Mix an equal amount of the powder with sugar and sprinkle it where you see the nasty bugs. It takes about 12-24 hours for the chemical reaction to dispatch the pests. 

2. Stow Camping Gear 

Camping gear can get musty if you don’t use it every weekend, especially if it rained during your last outing. Letting your tents and ground cloth dry out before storage is step one. Step two is sprinkling a bit of baking soda on your gear before you stow it to absorb any lingering moisture. 

3. Inflate a Balloon

Although you won’t necessarily notice it, a baking soda volcano releases gas. For a fun party trick, place a bit of the powder in a used 2-liter bottle. Add vinegar to start the reaction and stretch the opening of a balloon over the top in place of the bottle cap. The rising vapors will inflate it. 

4. Calm an Upset Tummy

Tummy bothering you? No problem! You can easily soothe an upset stomach by mixing baking soda and lemon juice to make a natural antacid. Adjust the ratio to perfect your blend. 

5. Soothe a Bug Bite

Baking soda deserves a spot amid your outdoor gear for two reasons. You can use it to soothe a bug bite in a pinch by mixing it into a paste with water and applying it to the swollen area. It also works well on some rashes. 

6. Freshen a Book 

Many people consider the musty aroma of old books a type of olfactory ambrosia. However, if you find the slightly moldy odor off-putting, sprinkle a bit of the powder between the pages, place the book in a sealed bag and let it sit for 24 hours to deodorize it. 

Eco-Friendly Uses 

Baking soda is environmentally friendly with scores of useful purposes. It deserves a spot in everyone’s pantry, medicine cabinet and garage. Integrate it into your eco-friendly routine using the above tips.