How to Use Baking Soda for Personal Hygiene

You can obtain baking soda with a food card or at a local free food pantry. At Dollar General a very large box is inexpensive.

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a versatile substance that can be used in a variety of ways for personal hygiene. Here are some ways you can incorporate baking soda into your personal hygiene routine:

1. Antacid

Baking soda can ease symptoms related to heartburn and indigestion ¹. Add 1/2 teaspoon to 1/2 glass of water every two hours or as directed by a physician ¹. However, you should consult a doctor prior to using baking soda as an antacid, especially if on a sodium-restricted diet ¹.

2. Mouth Freshening

Drop a teaspoon of baking soda into a half-glass of water, swish, spit and rinse for fresh breath ¹.

3. Mouth Cleaning And Plaque Removal

You could dab baking soda directly onto your toothbrush ¹. It penetrates deep down into the crevices between your teeth and gums to remove up to 5X more plaque in hard-to-reach places vs. ordinary toothpaste ¹.

4. Refreshing Bath Soak

For silky smooth skin and a big dose of relaxation, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the bathtub ¹.

5. Deodorant

Baking soda naturally absorbs odors instead of covering them up ¹. It’s probably less messy to buy deodorant versus sprinkling it under your arms but you can give it a go ¹.

6. Foot Soak

Prep for a pedicure by soaking feet in water containing dissolved baking soda ¹. Or, make a paste and scrub away the dead skin ¹.

7. Brushes and Combs Cleaning

Grab a small bowl of water and add about a teaspoon of baking soda in order to remove natural oil build-up and styling product residue off brushes and combs ¹.

8. Hair Care

Sprinkle baking soda into your hand in an amount about the size of a quarter and rub it into your hair along with your favorite shampoo ¹. The baking soda gets rid of difficult residue left behind by styling products so that your hair is cleaner and more manageable ¹.

9. Oral Appliance Soak

Not only does baking soda neutralize odors on retainers and dentures, but it also helps loosen food particles ¹. Use about two teaspoons in a small bowl of water and a brush to help, if necessary ¹.

10. Facial & Body Exfoliator

With three parts baking soda to one part of water, scrub away dead skin cells to leave it glowing before moisturizing or even treatments like self-tanning ¹.

Remember, while baking soda is generally safe for most people, it’s always best to do a patch test before applying it directly to your skin or hair. If you experience any adverse reactions, discontinue use immediately.