You’ve probably heard about a few things you can do with baking soda other than actually baking with it. However, many would be surprised to find out just how many uses there are for this affordable, versatile household item. From cleaning, to beauty, to medicinal, here are just a few uses for baking soda.

Kitchen scrub: You can replace your current household cleaner with a solution of baking soda and water. Even the nastiest pots and pans will be clean if you let them soak in baking soda for 15-20 minutes

Carpet cleaner: Get stains out of your carpet with baking soda. Let it sit on carpets overnight and vacuum the next day.

Microwave cleaner: A teaspoon of baking soda spread out on a damp rag will cut right through the grease on your microwave.

Clean the oven and stove tops/burners: Spread baking soda along the bottom of the oven and spray with enough water to make it damp. In the morning, you’ll be able to easily scoop out the grime as the baking soda will have absorbed it. Next time you do dishes, sprinkle some baking soda onto your stove and spray it with water until it’s damp. When you’re done you’ll be able to wipe the mixture off your stove easily.

Clean coffee and teapots: A strong baking soda solution can remove even the most stubborn coffee/tea stains.

Soak oral appliances: Oral appliances such as retainers and dentures can be cleaned by soaking them in a mixture of baking soda and water.

Brushing your teeth: Mix some baking soda into your existing toothpaste or mix a little bit of baking soda with a lot of water (pure baking soda will actually damage your enamel over time) and you’ve created the ultimate tooth cleanser. Baking soda is great for keeping bacteria away and acts as a tooth whitener. Do this once a week and you’ll notice your smile getting gradually brighter.

Exfoliating: Mix baking soda and water in a bowl and use the mixture to gently exfoliate for about 30 seconds once a week.

Hand softener: Have some leftover baking soda mixture after washing your face? Use this to scrub your hands clean and you’ll be surprised how soft they are when you’re done.

Footbath: Create your own luxurious foot bath by dropping a tablespoon of baking soda into some warm water. This will clean your feet and help them relax. It’s also far better for removing odours than many speciality foot washes, which simply use another scent to cover stinky feet.

Hair cleanser: Adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your regular shampoo is a great way to remove excess oils and dirt from your hair.
Brush and comb cleaner: Cleaning your brush and comb regularly is essential to maintaining good hair health, but you don’t want to use just any cleaning product. Combine two teaspoons of baking soda with one cup of water to create the perfect cleaning solution for your brush and comb.

Bug bite relief: Create a thick paste using a tablespoon of baking soda and some water. Then rub it on the affected area to get instant relief from the itchiness of bug bites.

Shoe deodorizer: Put a little bit of baking soda in the bottom of your shoes to get rid of any lingering odours.

Closet freshener: Your closet will never smell funky again if you place an open box or cup of baking soda inside.

Keep fridges fresh: You can keep your fridge smelling fresh by placing a small open bowl of baking soda in the back.