Think baking soda is just for baking? Think again, young Jedi.

Although sodium bicarbonate (baking soda by any other name smells as sweet) gets a rise out of our baked goods, but it also works with force for all-around-the-house clean ups and (lots) more.

Don’t know where to start? Here are 50 amazing ways that baking soda can help around the house. And, if after reading this list if you don’t want to make some of these items yourself, you can easily purchase some great pre-formulated, baking soda-based products like mouthwash, toothpastes and tooth powders, surface cleaner, deodorant and even dog shampoo.

Cleaning Tips

1. Clean the Microwave: Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.

2. Clean Coffee and Tea Pots and Cups: Remove stains by washing mugs and coffee makers in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight in the baking soda solution and detergent or scrubbing with baking soda on a clean damp sponge.

3. Cleaning Walls, Mirrors and Counters: Mix with water and spray it on for a super green clean. It will even remove crayon marks.

4. Clean Marble: Put three tablespoons into ½ litre of warm water and spray away.

5. Garlic Odour Remover: Mix 1-2 teaspoons in a glass of water and wash your hands with it after chopping garlic; the mixture will rinse away the pungent smell.

6. Silver Polish: Make a thick paste out of baking soda and water then slather it on your silverware with a soft rag. Let it dry, then rinse.

7. Removing Burnt-On Foods: Sometimes soaking dishes just isn’t enough to get off all that burnt-on gunk. Next time, pour in some baking soda and boiling water, and let it soak overnight. By morning the food will be no match for this sturdy dish scrubber.

8. Cleaning the Oven: Blanket the bottom of the oven with a thick layer of baking soda and spray with water until damp. Let it sit overnight, then remove the baking soda in the morning to reveal a sparkling clean oven.

9. Removing Stains: No matter where you are, baking soda is the one stain remover everyone seems to have handy. Simply sprinkle baking soda on the fabric and gently brush it in. Leave it on overnight, then vacuum or wash it off in the morning.

10. Boost Your Liquid Laundry Detergent: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash gets clothes cleaner, fresher and brighter.

11. Clean Batteries: Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, etc. because it’s a mild alkali. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the battery terminal. After cleaning and re-connecting the terminals, wipe with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion.

12. Clearing a Drain: Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain followed by three cups of boiling water to clean.

13. Deodorize Dishrags: Improve the smell of dishrags by soaking them in baking soda and water.

14. Make Kitty Litter Smell Better: Sprinkle it onto your cat’s litter box to absorb the bad odour.

15. Help With the Dishes: Add a spoonful to your dishwasher to make scrubbing dishes easier.

16. Deodorize Drains: Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water–it will neutralize both acid and basic odours for a fresh drain. (This a good way to dispose of baking soda that is being retired from your refrigerator.)

17. Deodorize Lunch Boxes: Between uses, place a spill-proof box of baking soda in lunch boxes to absorb lingering odours.

18. Clean Out the Coffee Maker: Run your coffee maker with a baking soda solution, then rinse.

19. Clean Baby Bottles: Combine with hot water to clean milk residue and odours.

20. Scour BBQ Grills: Sprinkle it on, then rinse it off.

21. Clean a Greasy Garage Floor or Driveway: Scatter it on the grease stain, scrub, and rinse.

22. Remove Burnt-On Food: Soak the pan it in a baking soda solution for 10 minutes before washing.

23. Sparkling Shower Curtains: Soak them in baking soda and water.

24. Remove melted plastic bread wrapper from a toaster: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth, then use the cloth to clean the toaster.

25. Clean Retainers and Dentures: Make a paste with water and use as a toothpaste for them.

26. Clean Enamelled Cast Iron & Stainless Steel: Make a thick paste of baking soda and water, and used it to scrub without damaging the surface.

Personal Care Tips

27. Rid Hair and Scalp of Styling Product Build-Up: Add a little bit to shampoo. It also works to neutralize oily hair and scalp.

28. Use it as an antacid: Take a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with one-half glass of water.

29. Toothpaste: A paste made from baking soda and 3% hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an alternative to commercial non-fluoride whitening toothpastes. You can also just dip your toothbrush with toothpaste into baking soda for an extra boost.

30. A Deodorant: Apply it with a powder puff.

31. Treat Insect Bites & Itchy Skin: For bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower.

32. Freshen Your Mouth: Gargle half a teaspoon of baking soda mixed water.

33. Soften Your Skin: Add a cup to your bathwater.

34. Relieve Baby’s Diaper Rash: Put two tablespoons in your baby’s bathwater.

35. Relieve Canker Sore Pain: Use it as mouthwash.

36. Unblock A Stuffy Nose: Add a teaspoon of baking soda to your vaporizer.

Cooking Tips

37. Rising Agent: Baking soda is 4X stronger than baking powder, and should be used in recipes with acidic ingredients like chocolate. It begins working its magic on contact, so be sure to pop that cake batter into the oven pronto.

38. Extinguishing Stove Fires: Douse the fire with baking soda — and then order in some take-away.

39. Fruit and Vegetable Scrub: Baking soda is the food-safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse.

40. Make Beans More Digestible: Soak dried beans in a baking soda and water solution.

41. Make Fluffier Omelettes: Add half a teaspoon of baking soda for every three eggs used.

42. Use it as a Substitute for Baking Powder: Mix with it with cream of tartar or vinegar.

43. Reduce the Acid Content of Tomato-Based Recipes: Sprinkling them with a pinch of baking soda.

Other Uses

44. Extend Flower Life: Add a teaspoon to the water to keep them blooming day after day.

45. Make Modelling Clay: Combine it with one and 1/4 cups of water and one cup of cornstarch.

46. Keep a Clear Windshield: Wipe your car windshield with a solution of baking soda and water to repel rain.

47. Repel Cockroaches and Ants: Put it under sinks and along basement windows.

48. Prevent Rabbits from Eating Your Veggies: Scatter baking soda around flowerbeds and garden.

49. Sweeten Planted Tomatoes: Sprinkle baking soda on the soil around tomato plants.

50. Deodorize Pets: Sprinkle it on your pet’s comb or brush and then brush away the bad smells.