25 ways to use baking soda

Baking soda is the kind of ingredient that’s quietly sitting in the back of your cupboard… while holding the power to replace half the products under your sink and in your bathroom cabinet. It’s simple, mineral-based, cheap, and wildly effective, which is exactly why you don’t hear much about it anymore.

Because a substance that can clean your home, freshen your body, soothe your skin, and support your health, all for under £1 a box, doesn’t exactly fit into the business model of modern convenience.

But your great-grandmother probably knew. And now you do too.

Here are 30 ways to use baking soda

1. Pesticide rinse 

Let’s start with one of the easiest wins: cleaning your produce. That shiny apple from the supermarket? It’s probably carrying a light coating of pesticides, wax, or something unpronounceable used to keep it shelf-stable.

A baking soda soak is one of the most effective ways to remove surface pesticides. Fill a bowl with cold water, add a tablespoon of baking soda, and soak your fruit or veg for 10–15 minutes. Give it a rinse, and you’re done.

2. Toothpaste

Finding a truly clean toothpaste is harder than it should be. Most are filled with foaming agents, artificial sweeteners, fluoride, preservatives, or microplastics disguised as “polishers.” Even the so-called “natural” ones often sneak in ingredients that don’t belong anywhere near your mouth.

Sometimes, it’s easier (and better) to just make your own.

A simple mix of baking soda and coconut oil creates an effective, gentle toothpaste that neutralises acidity, supports a healthy oral microbiome, and helps whiten teeth, all without stripping enamel or disrupting your hormones.

3. Laundry powder replacement 

Most commercial laundry detergents are packed with synthetic fragrances, surfactants, and preservatives, many of which can irritate the skin or disrupt hormones over time.

Baking soda offers a simple, effective alternative. Add ½ cup directly into the drum of your washing machine to help soften water, neutralise odours, and lift stains. Clothes come out clean, fresh, and free from residue, especially useful for those with sensitive skin or washing baby clothes.

For extra softness and a subtle scent, add a splash of white vinegar and a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or lemon) to the fabric softener drawer. It’s a low-cost, non-toxic swap that genuinely works.

4. Anti-inflammatory bath

An especially restorative ritual as the days grow colder.

Adding 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda to a warm bath can help reduce inflammation, buffer lactic acid, and support oxygen flow to your tissues,  making it deeply soothing for tired bodies, sluggish circulation, winter fatigue, and skin that’s dry or reactive this time of year.

It’s particularly helpful for those with low thyroid or chronic stress, where over-breathing leads to a loss of carbon dioxide, a compound your cells need to properly absorb oxygen. By helping retain CO₂, baking soda supports cellular repair, steadier energy, and a body that feels just a little more regulated,  even on the coldest days.

5. Deodorant

Body odour doesn’t come from sweat, it comes from bacteria. And baking soda makes it really hard for that bacteria to survive.

Dust a pinch under each arm (or mix with a little coconut oil) and it will keep you fresh all day, without aluminium, without artificial scent, and without blocking your pores.

It’s not fancy, but it’s effective. And your hormones will thank you.

6. Itchy skin relief

Whether it’s dry winter skin, bug bites, or an eczema flare,  baking soda is surprisingly soothing.

Make a paste with a little water and apply it directly to itchy areas, or add a few tablespoons to a bath to calm the whole system. It helps rebalance pH, soothe irritation, and bring fast relief,  especially when skin feels reactive and nothing else is working.

7. Your entire cleaning cupboard, replaced

There’s something deeply satisfying about replacing six plastic bottles with one paper box. Baking soda scrubs sinks, removes stains, lifts grease, deodorises bins, and unblocks drains.It pairs beautifully with vinegar for fizz-powered cleaning (grout, tiles, stovetops), even your oven won’t stand a chance.

Want a multipurpose cleaner? Stir a spoonful of baking soda into warm water with a splash of vinegar, a strip of lemon peel, and a few drops of essential oil. That’s your spray. 

And beyond the sparkle, there’s a deeper benefit. Most household cleaners release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which can disrupt hormones, irritate the lungs, and affect long-term health, especially in small spaces or homes with little ones. Baking soda cleans without polluting your air or coating your surfaces in chemicals you then absorb through your skin.

8. Sleepy drink

It’s not the usual sleep remedy, but half a teaspoon of baking soda stirred into warm water before bed might be one of the most underrated ways to calm your system.

It works by reducing acidity and helping the body retain carbon dioxide, something often lost through over-breathing in stressed or hypothyroid states. When CO₂ levels are balanced, oxygen gets delivered to your cells more efficiently, and your nervous system gets the signal it’s safe to slow down. The result? Deeper, more restorative sleep. Fewer wake-ups. And a calmer, steadier morning.

9. Natural face scrub Mix with honey or water for a gentle exfoliant that unclogs pores without microbeads.

10. Bug bite paste Mix with a splash of water and apply to bites or stings. Soothes itching, calms inflammation, and helps reduce swelling.

11. Fridge freshener Pop an open bowl in the back of the fridge to absorb smell.

12. Diaper rash soother Add a tablespoon to baby’s bath to calm irritated skin and balance pH, gentle and effective.

13. Fungal infection relief Used topically or in a foot soak, baking soda creates an environment less hospitable to fungal overgrowth.

14. Heartburn relief A classic. Mix ¼ to ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and sip slowly. It neutralises excess stomach acid and brings fast, natural relief.

15. Fatigue recovery When fatigue feels cellular, baking soda can help. Taken in small amounts, it buffers lactic acid and supports better oxygenation, helping restore energy at a deeper level.

16. Pre-workout support A pinch of baking soda in water before training can help buffer acid buildup, delay muscle fatigue, and improve stamina, especially in short, intense sessions. (Used by athletes long before pre-workout powders existed.)

17. After-cooking hand scrub Rub a pinch into wet hands to remove garlic, onion, or turmeric smells.

18. Migraine or tension relief Relieve tension headaches or migraines triggered by acidity or stress through a small dose in water or a warm bath soak, especially paired with magnesium.

19. Anti-dandruff Massage into wet scalp to help loosen flakes and balance scalp oils.

20. Pet bed deodoriser Sprinkle onto pet bedding between washes to neutralise odours without perfuming your animal.

21. Foot softener Soothe tired, aching, or smelly feet with a warm baking soda bath. Softens calluses and freshens naturally.

22. Clogged drain Baking soda + vinegar = natural drain cleaner. Let it fizz, rinse with boiling water, and say goodbye to blockages.

23. Air freshener jar Mix baking soda with a few drops of essential oil, place in a small jar with holes in the lid. Passive freshness, no spray required.

24. Respiratory support Inhaling steam with a pinch of baking soda (and optional thyme or eucalyptus) can help clear sinuses, soothe irritated airways, and reduce coughing during seasonal colds.

25. UTI support (short term) A small pinch stirred into water may help soothe urinary irritation. not a cure, but can offer gentle, temporary relief when needed.

Know of any others? We'd love to hear ↓