There are certain kitchen staples that my home cannot be without. Baking soda is one of these staples, and not simply because I like to bake (although I do love baking). Baking soda is a necessary staple in my home; because it has an amazing abundance of alternative uses! The best part is, baking soda is very inexpensive. Whether you use it straight from the box, as a sachet, in a shaker for sprinkling, for a paste, or in a hot water solution, there are probably hundreds of innovative ways in which you can use baking soda. 

1. Baking soda is a natural neutralizer. It helps neutralize baking mixes when using acidic
   ingredients, thus aiding with the rising process.
2. It serves as an ingredient if you need to make an alternative to baking powder. Just use one part baking soda and two parts cream of tartar.
3. Use it as a meat/chicken tenderizing rub. Leave baking soda rub on for a few hours, prior to washing off.
4. It doesn’t just help baking mixes rise. You can use it for airier eggs, pancakes, and waffles.
5. You can wash your fruit and veggies with it.
6. Use it to soak certain meat and fish, to help eliminate foul odors.
7. Piggybacking off of #6, use a small amount on your hands to remove foul odors from touching fish.
8. If your digestive system is sensitive to beans, soak them (dry) into a baking soda solution before cooking.
9. Keep kitchen rubber gloves fresh and dry by sprinkling some baking soda into them.
10. It works as a great non-abrasive cleanser for many kitchen common areas such as your counters, oven, microwave, and sink (even stainless steel).
11. Soak sponges and dish rags into a baking soda and water solution to help reduce odors.
12. Help remove dish/pan grease and grime by soaking them in hot soapy water with a little baking soda.
13. Piggybacking off of #12, use the same method to clean grease off of range vent filters, oven racks, and even barbeque grills.
14. Pour some baking soda down your drains and let it sit a while. This helps to deodorize and clean them.
15. Use it to clean out and deodorize baby bottles.
16. Unclog gas stove burners by soaking them in a ¼ to a ½ box of baking soda and warm water solution.
17. Soak crystal in a solution to help it sparkle.
18. Rid tarnish on silverware by soaking it in a baking soda and hot water solution.
19. Soak plastic food containers in a baking soda and water solution to help eliminate odors.
20. To clean the inside of your coffee-maker, let a warm water and baking soda solution run through a brew cycle.
21. Help loosen up stuck-on food in the microwave by heating up a baking soda water solution for a few minutes. Then easily wipe off the grime with a rag or sponge.
22. As an odor remover for the refrigerator. Just leave an open box in there to help soak up the bad food odors. (This is a classic one)
23. Piggybacking off of number #22, sprinkle a generous amount into kitchen trash cans to help neutralize smelly orders.
24. Although it should not be used to replace a regular fire extinguisher, baking soda can help put out small stove fires. This is a good emergency back-up to have!