How to Use Baking Soda to Treat Body Odor

Several laundry detergents advertise that they contain baking soda to eliminate odors in dirty clothes. If using baking soda is such a good way to get things to smell better, it seems like the natural stuff to use to treat body odor. Baking soda contains none of the chemicals or allergens found in deodorants, yet it is effective and easy to use.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Baking soda
• Cornstarch or baby powder (optional)

1. Buy a fresh box of baking soda to treat body odor for maximum potency. Keep it in your bedroom or bathroom.
2. Shower or bath thoroughly. Dry well, especially in the underarm area.
3. Dump a little baking soda (about 1 tsp. to start) into your hand or on a dry cloth and pat it all around the underarm until you've covered the whole area. Wait until your skin dries before you put on your clothes. Otherwise, the powder could leave white marks on your shirt.
4. Mix baking soda with kitchen cornstarch or baby powder cornstarch (which is usually scented) to add more drying power and deodorant action.
5. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to a warm bath to extend its benefits to the whole body.
6. Soak feet with foot odor problems in a baking soda solution composed of 4 tbsp. of baking soda to 4 cups of warm water. Apply dry powder to your feet after a shower to eliminate foot odor.
7. Watch your diet. Alcohol, coffee, strong spices and other foods can contribute to body odor. Make it easier for the baking soda to do its job by restricting your intake of foods that can worsen body odor.

Tips & Warnings

• To increase the effectiveness of baking soda, use a baby wipe under your arms first. These wipes are gentler than adult products. When the skin is dry, apply the baking soda.
• Continued use of baking soda may lead to a depletion of B vitamins (such as niacin and thiamine). Ask your doctor whether should consider dietary changes or supplements to make sure that you are getting enough of these essential nutrients.
• Report any sudden jump in your sweat production or body odor to your doctor. If such a change is caused by medical problem, it is best to get it diagnosed immediately.