20 Unexpectedly Helpful Household Uses for Baking Soda

Baking soda can be used for deodorizing, cleaning, cooking, beauty rituals, science projects, putting out fires and more.

Use baking soda for cleaning these kitchen items:
Drains
Refrigerator
Trash cans, diaper pails and hampers
Dishwasher
Garbage disposal
Tea stain on mug
Burnt-on food
Non-abrasive stovetop cleaner 

Quick tips:
Sprinkle a little baking soda in a gym bag to keep it smelling fresh.

Add 1/2 cup baking soda to liquid laundry detergent for fresh-smelling and cleaner clothes.

Baking soda can be a staple in personal hygiene:
Bath: Add 1/2 cup to a warm bath to soothe and condition skin.

Facial: Add 3 parts baking soda to 1 part olive oil, then apply in a circular motion after washing face with regular soap. (It works on dry skin on the body as well.)

Teeth: Brush your teeth with it -- and it's also used to clean dentures, retainers and mouth guards. Add 2 teaspoons to a bowl of water.

Foot soak: Soak feet in 3 tablespoons to a basin of warm water.

Bee stings: Make a paste of water and baking soda to soothe irritation and remove stinger. 

Baking soda also has a number of uses -- both culinary and safety-related -- in the kitchen:
Washing produce
Leavening
Extinguishing fires 

Since it has so many uses, separate boxes of baking soda may be bought for cooking, cleaning and bathing.