It’s about more than baking cookies — discover the many uses for baking soda and why it's an essential addition to your emergency supplies.
Baking soda is an essential addition to your emergency supplies, not just your food storage. But what’s the point in having 20 pounds of baking soda stored away if you don’t know what to do with it?
What is baking soda good for?
A lot. In this post, we'll talk about 20+ emergency uses, everything from treating diaper rash and brushing your teeth to treating fungus and adjusting the PH in your soil.
First aid
1. Treat skin irritations and bug bites
One of the common uses for baking soda is to soothe bug bites, poison ivy, and other skin irritations by mixing a teaspoon with a few drops of water to make a thick paste. Smother the irritated area with the paste. Wrap it and leave it for several hours. Reapply as needed. Boost the soothing ability of baking soda by mixing it with aloe vera instead of water.
2. Treat canker sores and other oral sores
Use baking soda to treat oral sores by mixing a pinch of salt, one cup of water, and half a teaspoon of baking soda together. Mix and gargle.
3. Soothe sunburns
Use baking soda to soothe sunburns by adding a half cup to lukewarm bath water before soaking. Air dry after your bath.
4. Remove splinters
Use baking soda to bring a splinter close to the surface so it can be easily removed with tweezers. Make a paste out of baking soda and a small amount of water. Cover the splinter and surrounding area with the paste and cover it with a bandage for about 24 hours. This should help bring the splinter to the surface. Repeat for another 24 hours if needed.
5. Soothe diaper rash
Use baking soda to soothe your baby’s diaper rash. Just sprinkle some baking soda into your baby’s bath water and allow them to soak.
6. Create a foot soak
When your feet are sore from working all day, sprinkle baking soda into a basin of hot water to make a soothing foot soak. Soak your feet for about 20 minutes and pat dry. To increase the effects, add epsom salt to the water as well.
7. Relieve an upset stomach
Use baking soda to relieve an upset stomach or excess acid. Follow the directions on the package. Get a twelve-pack of baking soda boxes.
Personal hygiene
1. Brush your teeth
Use baking soda to keep your teeth healthy when you can’t jog to the store for another tube of toothpaste. For a more effective baking soda toothpaste, mix six parts baking soda with one part sea salt. Blend. To use, wet the tip of your finger and place it in the powder, apply to your teeth and gums. Brush well and spit. Rinse after about 15 minutes.
Is baking soda good for your teeth?
Baking soda can be beneficial for your teeth when used properly. It has mild abrasive properties that can help remove surface stains, it acts as a polishing agent, and it can help neutralize acids in the mouth that contribute to tooth decay and enamel erosion.
2. Wash your hair
Use baking soda to wash your hair when shampoo isn’t readily available. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda into one cup of water and stir well. For a fresh smell, add in a few drops of essential oil. Store your baking soda “shampoo” in a bottle and shake before each use. It’s thin, so just pour a bit into your palm and massage into your hair a little at a time until your hair is coated. Scrub your hair and scalp, then rinse.
3. Clean your hair and scalp
When water isn’t available to wash your hair, use baking soda as a dry shampoo. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda at your roots and brush out your hair.
4. Clean your hands
While it doesn’t have great antibacterial properties, cleaning your hands is one of the uses for baking soda. Simply mix three parts baking soda with one part water and mix well. Scrub your hands with this baking soda paste and rinse.
Can you wash your face with baking soda?
Yes, baking soda is a mild abrasive, which means it can help exfoliate your skin when used in a facial wash.
5. Deodorize your pits
Use baking soda to make deodorant. It’s as easy as making a thick paste from baking soda and water — and rubbing it in your pits. If you want to add a fresh scent, mix in a few drops of essential oil. Struggling with body odor? Buy baking soda by the gallon.
Household
1. Wash your laundry
Use baking soda to wash dirty clothes. All it takes is a quarter cup of baking soda per load to help remove stains and odors. Baking soda also helps keep clothes from becoming too stiff while line-drying.
2. Clean surfaces
Use baking soda as an all natural cleaning paste by mixing dry baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Scrub with a damp washcloth to clean non-porous surfaces.
3. Absorb odors
You’ve likely used baking soda to absorb odors in the fridge, but you can use baking soda to absorb odors in any room of your house. Just leave a bowl of baking soda in any room where odors are unpleasant.
4. Clean toilets
Use baking soda to clean toilets by sprinkling a bit into the bowl and scrubbing.
5. Freshen bedding
Sprinkle baking soda on your bedding and leave it for 15 minutes — then shake well.
6. Clean utensils
Use baking soda and a damp cloth to clean utensils. OCD? Did you know you can buy baking soda in five-gallon buckets?
Gardening
1. Treat fungus
Mix one teaspoon of baking soda into one quart of water. Mix well and spray onto plants that show signs of fungus.
2. Kill cabbage worms
Kill cabbage worms by sprinkling affected plants with baking soda.
3. Adjust soil PH
Affect the alkalinity of your gardening soil by dusting it with baking soda.
That’s not all
We’re sure there are other uses for baking soda, so you’ll be adding to this list as we discover, and try baking soda in other survival or SHTF scenarios. While most of these uses are non-food related, this is essential to have in your food storage.
Discover more foods you should stock up on.