Baking soda, a staple in most homes, a multipurpose wonder. Here are 12 ways to use it.

1. To whiten your teeth. Just sprinkle a little baking soda onto your toothpaste when you’re brushing your teeth. Over time with regular use it will brighten up your smile.

2. Get rid of bad breath. Can’t handle the burn of a regular mouthwash? No problem, baking soda will do the trick; it’s a natural deodoriser. Just dissolve half a teaspoon in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth with it.

3. Stop the burn. You can ease the discomfort of heartburn by drinking a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a glass of cold water. Drink the mixture slowly.

4. If you get canker sores – small, painful ulcers in the mouth, (not to be confused with cold sores) – baking soda can help. Simply rinse your mouth with baking soda mouthwash once a day until the canker sore has healed.

5. You can use baking soda as a remedy for itchy insect bites. Just paste made of with the soda and water and apply to the affected area.

6. When it comes to baking soda uses for skin, try using it as an exfoliant. Mix three parts baking soda to one part water, and gently rub the mixture on your face in circular motions. Rise with warm water.

7. Add a half a cup of baking soda to your laundry to boost the power of your detergent. Baking soda is a deodoriser and it will really help to get your clothes (even stubborn stinky gym wear) smelling fresh. Baking soda has many uses for cleaning and is a great non-toxic ingredient for homemade cleaning products.

8. Stinky armpits? Try patting some baking soda onto your underarms.

9. Take a baking soda bath to relieve itchy skin and sunburn. Add one to two cups to your bathtub. Adding ingredients such as oatmeal or cornstarch can make your baking soda bath even more soothing.

10. If you’ve got callouses you can try soaking them in baking soda to help soften them.

11. For a drain cleaner free from harsh chemicals look no further than baking soda and vinegar. Use a funnel to pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow this with ½ cup distilled white vinegar and quickly cover the drain to keep the fizz in. Once the fizzing has stopped, pour in another ½ cup of vinegar. Keep the drain covered for another 15 to 30 minutes then slowly pour boiling hot water down the drain.

12. One of the most practical uses for baking soda is to combat bad smells. Rub your hands with baking soda to get rid of stubborn odours such as garlic or onion.

How do you use baking soda?

Sources: Healthline, Care2, Thank Your Body