Everyone has some baking soda in the house, and if not, you should get some. Aside from baking with it, I also use it in my garbage disposal, do laundry and clean the shower floor. I’ve used it on insect bites. John Dwight was the founder of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda company and he passed away in 1903. But he built a mansion in mid-town Manhattan and it has had a few owners over the last century. Last I checked, it was listed for sale for 7.25 million dollars. You can look at this house HERE!
Sodium bicarbonate is known more commonly as “baking soda” since it helps make dough rise by producing carbon dioxide. But aside from that, it has probably a hundred other cool uses! Today I’ll share the most common medicinal uses for it, as well as a few household uses that make it the cheapest, most effective remedy in town!
Consuming excessive baking soda is toxic because it’s so high in sodium. So if you’re taking it internally for heartburn, do not use it chronically, and do not take too much. See a doctor for proper treatment. There’s about 1,200 mg of sodium in one teaspoon and that’s the part that makes it potentially harmful with consumption! Not everyone sharing their home remedy online happens to be a licensed practitioner, so be careful about what advice you follow from online bloggers.
If you’re interested in other “folk” remedies take 5 minutes to CLICK HERE and read, How Weird Folk Remedies Can Help You.
Here’s another article that might be of interest to you: 10 Weird Health Facts about Burping, Sex, Hair, Eyes and Spinach!
Baking Soda to Freshen Breath.
Adding some to your mouthwash can instantly freshen breath and improve oral hygiene. I think this is a great addition to anyone’s nightly routine and studies even show that it can help your body fight bacteria better by increasing pH in your saliva temporarily.
Here’s the recipe for Homemade Spearmint Baking Soda Mouthwash
Ingredients:
1 cup warm water
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 drops spearmint (or peppermint) essential oil
2 drops tea tree oil
2 drops clove oil
Directions:
Mix together, and rinse mouth for 30 seconds then rinse. Do not swallow. If the flavor of the mouthwash is a little too zingy for you to rinse with, then replace the 2 drops of tea tree oil with 2 drops of wild orange oil. Remember, this is a mouthwash, so you swish and spit. After this mouthwash, always rinse again with plain water.
Here are the 5 best medicinal uses I can think of using baking soda:
1. Baking Soda for Oral Health
Baking soda is a natural and inexpensive way to help maintain oral health. It works as a mild abrasive that helps remove plaque and surface stains on teeth, making it a common ingredient in many kinds of toothpaste. You can make your own baking soda toothpaste by mixing a small amount of it with water until it forms a paste. Use it to brush your teeth gently to help whiten them and freshen your breath.
Another great use is as a mouth rinse. Mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water and swish it around in your mouth to help neutralize odors and reduce acidity, which can contribute to bad breath and cavities. Just be sure to rinse your mouth with plain water afterward. Alternatively, scroll up and use the recipe I listed above that has some other anti-fungal and anti-bacterial essential oils in it. These can be adjusted to your taste buds. If you have mouth sores, read this article: Oral Lichen Planus vs. Oral Cancer: 5 Visual Differences You Need to Know.
Now, here are the rest of the best medicinal uses I can think of using baking soda:
2. Use it for Itchy Skin
Get relief for itching and minor bug bites or bee stings using baking soda paste that you make at home. Make a paste that is thick enough to apply to your skin. The amount you use doesn’t matter, just pour it into a little dish, and add enough water slowly until it is thick like a paste, and you can apply it to your itchy spots. You can even kick it up a notch medicinally by adding several drops of lavender, frankincense and/or tea tree essential oil.
What if your itchy skin is not easily treatable, or quenchable with standard treatments. It can be maddening. Get yourself help right now by reading my special article, 10 Novel Treatments for Chronic Itch, Eczema and Skin Infections.
If your itchy skin is widespread as you might experience with a drug allergy reaction, then take a lukewarm bath and add about 2 cups to a large bathtub of water, and soak for 15 minutes. Some people find this immediately soothing especially when they add oatmeal to the bath at the same time.
For more specific areas, you can create a paste with baking soda and a bit of water. Apply a thick layer of paste to the affected area. Since we’re coming into camping (and therefore poison ivy) season, keeping some on hand is a good idea in case you walk into a bush!
3. Baking Soda for Thrush and Yeast Infections
A study confirmed that this compound has mild anti-fungal effects and you can use this to treat thrush and mild Candida yeast infections. You can stir a little baking soda in your diaper rash cream, or if it’s oral thrush, you can gargle/rinse with the mouthwash I referred to above. Always remember to rinse your mouth out with plain water after you rinse with the baking soda mouthwash. For babies who have oral thrush, it’s a little bit harder. Make a solution of 1 cup of lukewarm water mixed with 1 teaspoon baking soda, and dip a Q-tip in that, and then swab their mouth/tongue several times a day.
People who undergo chemotherapy, or those who have to take steroids sometimes develop oral sores in their mouth and a baking soda rinse can be very soothing. Just remember to rinse with cool water afterward. If you take chemotherapy, you will garner some insights on the “PLR” which is a a BLOOD TEST BREAKTHROUGH which I talked about in this article (which focuses on Hashimoto’s.)
4. Baking Soda for Upset Stomach and Reflux
Acid reflux is a very common problem that stems from various different root causes, so before I tell you how to use baking soda, I want to make sure that you understand you should not be ignoring this symptom. It may be due to overeating or from using drugs that are irritating to the esophagus like NSAIDs, but it’s also associated with a hiatal hernia, parathyroid adenomas, esophageal cancer and more. The baking soda trick works well for simple acute types of acid reflux, such as the type triggered by eating salsa, onions or coffee.
If you struggle with heartburn or reflux read my other article, Navigating the World of Antacids: From Traditional to 5 Natural Remedies.
Try using some of this for heartburn/reflux. It works by neutralizing stomach acid. Just dissolve about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a cold glass of water. Sip it slowly until the heartburn subsides. If you are on a sodium-restricted diet, do not do this. Of course, everyone should ask their own practitioner if this is right for them because I can’t possibly know from here what’s right for thousands of you reading my article today. Do not use this chronically, it may lead to metabolic alkalosis and electrolyte disturbances which impact your heart and muscles.
5. Can it Help Smelly Feet?
6. Make Laundry Cleaner.
Baking soda is a cost-effective and natural way to enhance your laundry routine, helping to whiten, deodorize, and thoroughly clean your clothes. This household staple works as a mild alkali, which helps break down dirt and grease while also balancing pH levels in your wash. It’s incredibly simple to use—just add ¼ to ½ cup of baking soda along with your regular amount of laundry detergent.
One of the key benefits of using this in your laundry is its ability to soften hard water, allowing your detergent to work more efficiently. It dissolves completely in water, penetrating fabric fibers to lift away stains, neutralize odors, and brighten whites without the need for harsh chemicals. Additionally, baking soda acts as a natural fabric softener, leaving clothes feeling fresh and comfortable.
For especially tough stains or lingering odors, consider pre-soaking your garments in a solution of warm water and baking soda before washing. You can also sprinkle a small amount directly onto stubborn stains before adding your detergent for an extra cleaning boost. Whether you’re looking to freshen up everyday clothes, remove sweat odors from gym wear, or brighten dull whites, this is a simple yet powerful addition to any laundry routine.
A word of CAUTION
I love baking soda for its many medicinal uses, but like anything, too much can be a bad thing, and there’s science to back this up. A STUDY published in the Journal of Medical Toxicology detailed the case of a 50-year-old man who overused baking soda for years to relieve his chronic heartburn. He was taking about 1 teaspoon per day—which, over time, led to a serious condition called metabolic alkalosis (basically, his body became too alkaline).
This extreme shift in pH threw off his electrolyte balance, causing dangerously low potassium levels (hypokalemia) and ultimately leading to a life-threatening irregular heartbeat. Thankfully, he was treated and survived, but the study serves as an important reminder: baking soda is powerful medicine, and like all medicines, it should be used responsibly.
So, what’s the takeaway? Baking soda can be a fantastic natural remedy, but it’s not meant for long-term, daily use in large amounts. If you’re using it for acid reflux or other internal issues, it’s best to use it occasionally and always talk to your practitioner to make sure it’s right for you!
7. HERE’s a BONUS: Freshen the Garbage Disposal with Baking Soda + Vinegar
A smelly garbage disposal can make your entire kitchen feel less fresh, but luckily, baking soda and vinegar provide a simple, natural solution to eliminate odors and break down buildup. This powerful combination creates a fizzing reaction that helps loosen grime, remove food particles, and neutralize unpleasant smells.
To freshen your disposal, start by pouring about ½ cup of baking soda directly into the drain. Follow this with 1 cup of white vinegar, and let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes as it bubbles up, working to dissolve grease and debris. For an extra boost, you can follow up by running hot water down the drain for a minute to flush everything out.
For a longer-lasting fresh scent, consider grinding a few citrus peels (like lemon, lime, or orange) in the disposal after cleaning. This not only enhances the freshness but also helps keep the blades sharp and free of residue.
Using this simple method once a week will keep your garbage disposal clean, odor-free, and functioning efficiently—without the need for harsh chemicals!
If you’re interested in more useful tips to help with various ailments read this: Folk Remedies and Natural Cures.
And remember, you can use my search box for my opinion on many health concerns, 🔎 go ahead, type in your question and discover a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips!
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
