What is baking soda and how can it benefit the human body? Here are some of its surprising and helpful uses.
RELATED: What Exactly Is pH Level And Why Should I Care?
9 Surprisingly Helpful Baking Soda Uses | Life Hacks
Baking Soda Definition: chemically called sodium bicarbonate; widely used as a leavening agent in baking to cause the dough to rise; also used for household and health purposes
1. Whitens Teeth
Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on expensive commercial teeth-whitening products, create your own baking soda toothpaste. Brushing teeth with baking soda is a quick and convenient way to remove plaque and polish your chompers.
This is because baking soda has antimicrobial properties that fend off the harmful bacteria that stain your teeth. Plus, its mild abrasive texture is perfect for removing compounds that make your teeth yellow.
The best and simplest way to whiten teeth with baking soda is to sprinkle half a teaspoon of it on your toothpaste before brushing.
After that, brush as you normally would. It might taste and feel weird, but it may help give you pearly white teeth with continued use.
Note: While the abrasive properties of baking soda make it a good teeth whitener, it can also cause damage if you brush vigorously. Make sure to do gentle, light movements when brushing with baking soda.
Plus, the compounds in baking soda may not work well with other dental/orthodontic materials such as braces. Make sure to seek professional advice before using baking soda for your teeth.
2. Adds Hair Volume
Is the rainy season giving you flat, limp hair? Rather than buying chemical-infused hair-styling products, opt to use baking soda for hair volume instead.
It’s a natural way to add volume to your hair without exposing yourself to the different chemicals in most commercial shampoos. In fact, it already takes around 4,000 different chemicals to make a shampoo more fragrant, so don’t add more chemicals to the mix.
To make your own baking soda shampoo, mix one part baking soda in with three parts water. You can increase the amount depending on how long your hair is.
Apply the baking soda mixture on your hair. Massage your scalp starting at the roots and go all the way to the ends. Let it sit for three minutes then rinse with water.
Use apple cider vinegar afterward. Mix one part apple cider vinegar with four parts water.
To minimize the smell, stir in some essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, or peppermint. Apply it to your hair, let it sit for three minutes, and then rinse off with warm water.
3. Reduces Acne Breakouts
Are you suffering from constant acne breakouts? Instead of using chemical-infused cosmetic products, go all natural and use baking soda for acne problems.
Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the swelling and redness on your face. Plus, the antimicrobial properties fend off any potentially acne-causing bacteria.
Simply mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a very small amount of water to form a paste-like mixture. Apply it to your face, massage for a few minutes, and then rinse off with warm water.
4. Gets Rid of Vaginal Odor
Since baking soda has high alkaline levels, women can take advantage of this to restore their vaginal pH balance. Neutralizing the vaginal pH balance prevents the development of yeast infections and removes the pungent odor that comes along with it.
The best part is it’s very easy to use baking soda for restoring vaginal pH levels. Simply mix the baking soda in with a warm, relaxing bath and submerge your body.
First, fill your tub with warm water. Next, mix in half a cup of baking soda then soak your body in it for around 15 to 20 minutes.
Remember to rinse your body, especially the genitalia, with warm water afterward.
5. Fights Bad Breath
Apart from helping you achieve pearly white teeth, brushing with baking soda can help prevent bad breath.
Residual acid in the mouth often leads to bad breath. Luckily, baking soda balances the acidic levels of the leftover food in your mouth –apart from removing the chunks themselves, of course.
As we said earlier, make sure to consult with a specialist before deciding to use baking soda while brushing. While it does have its benefits, your dentist might advise against the daily use of brushing with baking soda.
RELATED: Epsom Salt: 6 Health Benefits
6. A Great Skin Exfoliator
Beauty enthusiasts who are tired of using chemical-infused skincare products can opt to go all-natural by creating their own baking soda-based exfoliating wash.
The mild abrasive properties of baking soda help remove dead skin cells. This allows new skin cells to form in their place.
Doing so will help you achieve a natural, younger-looking glow without exposing your skin to harmful chemicals. Simply mix the baking soda with water and apply it on your face.
Note: Only do this two to three times a week at most.
7. Prevents Dark Lips
Beauty products can only hide the lip’s true colors. If you want to regain that pinkish glow, then you might want to consider cleansing your lips with baking soda.
Its alkalizing compounds help balance the pH levels in your lips while its abrasive properties remove dead skin cells.
Mix a tablespoon of honey and baking soda together then apply it on your lips. Let it dry for around three minutes before rinsing off.
8. Natural Deodorant
A lot of men and women have trouble with sweaty pits, dark underarms, and yellow shirt stains when using chemical-infused deodorants. Some of the chemicals in these products probably don’t go well with the body’s natural chemistry.
Luckily, you can create your own all-natural deodorant by mixing a teaspoon of baking soda with water to create a paste-like formula. Just rub it on your underarms like you would with a deodorant.
Tip: You can also use this formula on your feet.
9. Hand Softener
Are you too embarrassed to hold hands with your partner because of your rough hands? Then, opt to scrub away the dirt and callouses with baking soda.
Similar to using it as an exfoliating wash, its abrasive properties make it an effective hand softener. Just mix a teaspoon of baking soda with warm water then scrub your hands clean with it.
These are just some of the helpful ways you can use baking soda in your life. Overall, its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and alkaline properties are what make it so helpful.
Of course, remember that you should never solely rely on baking soda to remedy any kind of disease. It might be best to switch to drinking Tyent water instead.
How does baking soda help you in your day-to-day life? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!
Up Next:
Many thanks for these tips.
Hi, Celine. We’re happy to help! If you want to use baking soda for baking, check out this awesome Dr. Lori recipe for low-carb bread.
We would love to tell you about our alkaline water, too, so you can give us a call at 855-893-6887 to know more.