These Clever Uses For Baking Soda Will Make Life A Whole Lot Easier

Peek inside your neighbor’s pantry, and you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll find a box of baking soda. It’s such a useful tool that any kitchen is practically incomplete without it. But it’s not just good for making cakes and bread! There are so many other things you can do with baking soda — from keeping calluses on your feet at bay to soothing bug bites — that you’ll soon be buying the stuff in bulk.

1. Polish silver

If your silver could really do with a polish, then don’t worry: there’s no rubbing needed when you have baking soda. Simply line your sink with aluminum foil, sprinkle baking soda on it, and pour hot water on top. Then drop in your silver. Within seconds, that tarnish will vanish.

2. DIY deodorant

Some folks can’t stand the sticky feel of store-bought deodorant. To them, they may as well be applying lard to their underarms! And if that sounds like you, then try dusting your pits with baking soda instead. It’s a natural deodorizer, so you should still smell sweet whatever the weather.

3. Freshen litter boxes

And since baking soda does have those deodorizing properties, you can use it for anything with a less-than-appealing odor. We’re thinking of your cat’s litter box! Simply sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda into the box before you lay down new litter. It’s an easy way to get rid of that stink, and it won’t harm or repel your kitty.

4. Clean burned pans

If you accidentally left your mac ’n’ cheese in the pot for too long, don’t panic — and don’t scrub for hours! Simply coat the bottom of the pot with a sprinkle of baking soda. Then add water and let it simmer on the stovetop for a few minutes. The baking soda will lift those crusty burned bits in practically no time at all.