What useful thing does BAKING SODA actually do in home repair? (2025 Update)

Nov 16, 2018 Last reply: 8 months ago 0 Replies

I keep hearing people suggest "baking soda", which is, as you know, simply sodium bicarbonate which you can get a five-pound bag of for about five bucks or so at Costco.



My question is more toward figuring out WHY I see baking soda mentioned as a panacea for almost everything from baby rash to automotive leak repair.



I've had my five pound bag for YEARs, where it will likely last me the rest of my natural life.



What can you DO with it if you don't own a pool?



Sure, you can use it in cooking, but this question is about home repair.



On another thread, someone said he was going to try "baking soda" to clean a toilet bowl, where I have to ask what on earth is baking soda going to do?



OK. SO it's a bit abrasive, but if that's all you want out of it, sugar would do as well, wouldn't it?



What baking soda is, is an alkaline (that is, not acid) bicarbonate, that is, it's "hard water" in dry form (sort of).



Other than the abrasive quality (which has nothing to do with the chemical action), what USEFUL things around the home (other than cooking) can baking soda do?



My question is more toward figuring out WHY I see baking soda mentioned as a panacea for almost everything from baby rash to automotive leak repair.


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