Unexpected uses of baking soda you may not know

Most people know that baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), also known as baking soda or baking soda, is a common ingredient in baking. But did you know that baking soda isn't just limited to cooking?

This multi-tasking product in the form of a fine white powder has many uses and actually has many health benefits.

Here are some useful uses of baking soda for health, beauty and household that you probably never expected.

Uses of baking soda in daily life

Remove stains from clothes

Baking soda combined with ingredients such as lemon, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide... can clean stubborn stains on clothes without fading the color.

This multi-purpose powder combined with toothpaste, laundry detergent and vinegar can also remove old yellow stains on white collars and cuffs, helping to restore the bright white color of the shirt to new condition.

Removing Pesticides from Fruits and Vegetables

Research shows that baking soda is effective in removing pesticides from fruits and vegetables. Baking soda has the ability to break down pesticide molecules and help wash them away, making agricultural products cleaner and safer.

You can mix baking soda in a ratio of 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of water (240ml) and soak fruits and vegetables in the solution for about 12-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly under running water.

Deodorize the refrigerator

If you leave too much food in the refrigerator for a long time, it will cause the refrigerator to have an unpleasant smell. Just put a cup of baking soda in the refrigerator, the bad smell will be neutralized and removed.

If you haven't cleaned your refrigerator for a long time, mix baking soda with water in a 1:1 ratio to clean the surfaces inside the refrigerator, then wipe it again with white vinegar. No matter how "incurable" the odor is, it will completely disappear.

Room fragrance

With its ability to neutralize odor-causing molecules, baking soda is a safe solution for deodorizing the air.

Fill a glass jar about 1/3 with baking soda, then add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil, cover the mouth of the jar with a cloth, and place it where you want to deodorize. When you feel the scent has faded, shake the jar a few times.

Handling burnt pots and pans

Cover the burnt spots on the bottom of the pot with baking soda, add enough water and turn on the stove to simmer for about 15 minutes, then turn off the stove, wait for the water to cool and then scrub. The burnt spots will quickly disappear.

For pots and pans that have turned black due to long-term use, turn the pot upside down, sprinkle a layer of salt and baking soda on the bottom of the pot, pour dishwashing liquid to wet the mixture, then cover it with kitchen paper, then pour vinegar on top and leave it for 1-2 hours. Finally, remove the paper and use a scrubber to clean it, the pot and pan will be shiny again like new.

Kitchen cleaning

Wet a sponge or cloth with a mixture of baking soda, lemon juice or vinegar, then apply it to the surface or equipment, items such as ovens, coffee cups, stovetops, tabletops... that you want to clean, then wipe with clean water.

A mixture of baking soda with lemon juice or vinegar is a great cleaning agent that can control the growth of harmful microorganisms, including mold and bacteria.

Floor Polishing

Wooden and tile floors will lose their shine over time. To fix this problem inexpensively, dissolve 100 grams of baking soda in a bucket of warm water. Mop the floor with this mixture, then rinse with clean water, and your floor will shine again.

Deodorize shoes

Pour two tablespoons of baking soda onto a cloth, tie it tightly, and leave it inside your shoes when you're not wearing them. The odor from your shoes will be completely eliminated.

Deodorize trash cans

To prevent trash odors, sprinkle some baking soda at the bottom of the trash can or trash bag. The unpleasant odors will be greatly reduced.

Clean the wall

Mix baking soda with water to form a paste, then gently spread it on the wall and leave it for as long as possible. Finally, when the stain has soaked in enough, wipe it off with a cloth. This mixture is effective even on children's drawings on the wall.

Health benefits of baking soda

Treating insect bites

Most insect bite creams you buy at the store have baking soda as the main ingredient. So, when you are attacked by insects, you just need to mix baking soda with water in a 3:1 ratio and apply this mixture to the itchy skin area, leave it for about 10 minutes and then wipe it off.

According to experts, due to its antibacterial properties, baking soda is a very effective solution to relieve itching and pain caused by insects.

Mouth ulcers treatment

Mouth ulcers are a fairly common condition that many people experience. Mouth ulcers can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful.

If you have mouth ulcers, you can use a mixture of baking soda mixed with water and rinse your mouth twice a day to help relieve pain and heal ulcers quickly.

Support treatment of gastric reflux

If you have acid reflux, just mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with 200ml of cooled boiled water, stir well and drink to reduce uncomfortable symptoms.

You should do it twice a day, about 1 hour after meals. However, this is only a temporary solution to reduce symptoms, and should not be taken continuously for many days.

Uses of baking soda in beauty

Exfoliate, prevent acne

Baking soda acts as a physical exfoliant, cleaning the skin's surface and removing dead skin cells, which is especially effective for people with oily skin because it can remove acne-causing oils at a very low cost.

You can combine baking soda with other natural ingredients such as honey, olive oil, coconut oil... to exfoliate, unclog pores, and make skin smoother and cleaner.

However, you should not exfoliate your face with baking soda regularly because it is very strong and can make your skin sensitive and easily irritated.

Brightens dark areas

Baking soda contains antioxidants that not only exfoliate but also help dark skin areas become brighter and more even-toned.

For dark skin areas such as knees, elbows, armpits, groin... you can use baking soda to lighten by mixing baking soda with water into a paste and then apply it to the skin area that needs lightening and massage gently for one minute. Then leave it for up to 30 minutes and rinse.

Do 2-3 times a week for best results.

Soothes sunburned skin

Baking soda is alkaline, so it will help soothe the burning and itching sensation caused by sunburn. This is a beauty method used by many women, both effective and cost-saving.

Mix baking soda and filtered water in a 2:1 ratio, then use a soft brush to apply this mixture to the skin. Let the mixture soak into the skin for about 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Do this once a day, your skin will quickly recover.

Hair care, dandruff and greasy hair treatment

Just mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with your regular shampoo, gently massage it on your scalp and then rinse with clean water. This treatment should be done about 2 times a month to help your hair become healthier, avoid split ends and get rid of dandruff.

For those with greasy hair, baking soda can be used as a dry shampoo, sprinkled directly onto hair and combed through to absorb excess oil.

If you have more time, you can mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a little water, then apply this mixture all over the scalp, incubate for about 15-20 minutes and then wash it off with water. However, this method of treating greasy hair should only be done 2-3 times/week.

Whitening yellow nails

Some people leave nail polish on for too long, causing their nails to turn yellow. To remove these yellow stains, mix baking soda with a little water to form a paste and apply it to the yellowed nail for about 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

You can also use a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda to remove yellow stains on your nails very effectively. With just a few simple steps, you will regain your bright white and clean nails.

Teeth whitening

Some studies have shown that toothpastes containing baking soda are very effective in cleaning plaque on teeth. Therefore, you can also use effective baking soda teeth whitening methods at home.

You can combine baking soda with water, lemon juice, vinegar, strawberries and toothpaste to whiten your teeth. However, you should only use it twice a week to avoid eroding the outer enamel layer of your teeth.

Underarm Deodorant

If you don't like chemical-laden deodorants, baking soda is the perfect deodorant for you.

Mix baking soda with lemon juice in a 1:1 ratio and apply to the underarm area, leave for about 15 minutes and then rinse with clean water.

Another way is to mix baking soda with cornstarch and apply it to your armpits so that the mixture can absorb sweat. You can also mix a little water with baking soda and a few drops of tea tree oil to wipe your armpits after bathing, which is also very effective.