Baking soda is one of those inexpensive pantry staples that can do far more than help a cake rise. In a pinch, it can be useful for cleaning, freshening odors, and a handful of basic personal-care tasks.
It isn’t a substitute for proper medical supplies, safe food storage, or fire equipment, but having a box in your emergency supplies can still come in handy. Here are 14 practical ways baking soda can help around the house or during an unexpected situation.
Clean Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh produce can pick up dirt and residue during handling, transport, and storage. Baking soda can help clean the surface of fruits and vegetables when you don’t have access to your usual produce cleaner.
Mix a small amount with water and gently scrub firm produce before rinsing it thoroughly with clean running water. For leafy greens and delicate fruits, plain water and gentle handling are usually the better choice.
Baking soda won’t make contaminated food safe, so discard produce that is spoiled or otherwise unsafe to eat.
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Reduce Odors in the Field
Strong odors can build up on clothing, shoes, backpacks, and other gear after spending hours outdoors.
A small amount of baking soda can help absorb odors. Sprinkle it lightly on dry clothing or gear, let it sit for a while, and shake it out before use.
This is useful for keeping equipment fresher, but it shouldn’t be treated as a reliable way to hide your scent from wildlife.
Soothe Minor Bug Bites and Stings
A baking soda paste may provide temporary relief from the itching and irritation caused by some minor insect bites.
Mix baking soda with a little clean water until it forms a paste, then apply a small amount to the affected area. Stop using it if your skin becomes more irritated.
For a serious allergic reaction, trouble breathing, widespread swelling, or other severe symptoms, baking soda is not a treatment. Seek emergency medical care.
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Help With a Small Grease Fire
Baking soda can be useful for a very small grease or cooking fire because it can help smother the flames.
This is only appropriate for a small, contained fire. Never use water on a grease fire, and don’t put yourself in danger trying to fight a growing fire. Keep a properly rated fire extinguisher nearby and leave the area if the flames are spreading or producing heavy smoke.
Temporary Relief From Heartburn
Baking soda contains sodium bicarbonate, which can neutralize stomach acid. That is why it has sometimes been used as a homemade antacid.
Still, drinking baking soda isn’t something to treat casually. Too much can cause serious problems, particularly because of its high sodium content. People with certain health conditions or those taking particular medications may also need to avoid it.
For occasional heartburn, a proper antacid is a safer choice. Baking soda shouldn’t become a regular remedy.
Freshen Clothing and Gear
If laundry facilities aren’t available, odors can quickly become a problem.
Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda inside shoes, bags, or other dry gear. Let it sit for several hours before shaking or brushing it out.
For clothing, check the material first and avoid leaving powder on dark fabrics where it may be difficult to remove. Baking soda can help with odors, but it doesn’t replace washing.
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Help Keep Food Storage Areas Dry
Baking soda can absorb some moisture and odors inside enclosed spaces, making it useful around dry-food storage areas.
Place an open container in a pantry or storage cabinet to help with smells. It can also be useful in a cooler or food-storage container when kept separate from the food itself.
It cannot stop perishable food from spoiling. Meat, dairy, cooked food, and other foods that require refrigeration still need to be kept at safe temperatures.
Soothe Minor Sunburn Discomfort
A cool bath can feel good on sunburned skin, and a small amount of baking soda added to the water may provide some temporary relief from itching or irritation.
Use cool rather than hot water, and avoid scrubbing the burned skin. Don’t put baking soda on blistered or broken skin.
For severe burns, extensive blistering, signs of infection, or other concerning symptoms, get medical advice.
Use for Basic Tooth Cleaning
If toothpaste runs out during a trip or emergency, baking soda can provide a temporary way to clean your teeth.
Use a small amount with water and brush gently. Baking soda is mildly abrasive, so aggressive scrubbing can wear down tooth enamel.
This should be a short-term backup rather than a permanent replacement for fluoride toothpaste.
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Freshen Your Mouth
A diluted baking soda rinse can help neutralize some mouth odors.
Mix a small amount with clean water, swish it around your mouth, and spit it out. Don’t swallow the mixture.
It’s a temporary option for freshening your mouth, but it doesn’t replace regular brushing, flossing, or dental care.
Tenderize Tough Meat
Baking soda can change the texture of meat by raising its surface pH, which can make some cuts feel more tender.
For a thin layer of meat, a small amount can be rubbed over the surface and left for a short period before being rinsed off thoroughly. It can also be used as part of certain marinades.
Don’t use excessive amounts, since too much baking soda can leave meat with an unpleasant taste and texture.
Clean Cooking Equipment
A little baking soda can be surprisingly useful when cleaning pots, pans, plates, and utensils.
Make a paste with baking soda and water and use it to scrub away stuck-on food. For stubborn residue, let the paste sit for a while before scrubbing.
It’s especially handy when you’re trying to stretch a limited supply of dish soap. Rinse cookware thoroughly before using it again.
Help With Body Odor
Baking soda can absorb odors, which is why some people use a small amount as a temporary deodorant.
If you try it, use only a little and stop if your skin becomes dry, red, itchy, or irritated. Baking soda is fairly alkaline and can cause skin irritation in some people.
During a water shortage, it may help you feel fresher, but it isn’t a replacement for washing when water becomes available.
Soothe Poison Ivy or Poison Oak Irritation
A cool baking soda bath may provide temporary relief from the itching associated with poison ivy or poison oak.
For a small irritated area, some people use a paste made from baking soda and water. Keep the mixture away from the eyes and avoid applying it to broken skin.
The rash itself can continue to develop after exposure, so wash clothing, shoes, tools, and other items that may have come into contact with the plant’s oils. Seek medical care for severe reactions, facial swelling, breathing problems, or extensive blistering.
