Baking soda is a major player on any money-saver’s team. A one-pound box of sodium bicarbonate costs less than a dollar, and you can use it for everything from freshening your laundry to whitening your teeth to putting out a grease fire. Here are five ways to use it around the house; you’ll save money on cleaning supplies and be a few steps closer to going green at the same time. 

1.) Unclog a slow-moving drain. Pour 1/2 a cup of baking soda into the partially clogged drain; follow that with about a cup of white vinegar. Wait for the fizzing to stop, and flush the drain with running hot water. Still sluggish? Do it again. It costs pennies, won’t hurt your pipes or your septic system (if you have one), and the kids will be entertained by the fizz.

2.) Make a facial scrub. Whiz some plain old-fashioned oatmeal in your blender, then mix two parts ground oatmeal to one part baking soda. To use, pour some in the palm of your hand, add just enough water to form a paste, and rub it over your skin (avoid the delicate eye area). Rinse with cool water. See? Soft!

3.) No-scratch scrubbing cleanser. I discovered this by accident, when I was unclogging the drain in my bathtub and was a little overzealous with the baking soda. I wiped the spill up with a damp cloth and the soap scum came away with it. I love lemony scents, so now I dampen the cloth with a little lemon juice and a lot of water before I start scrubbing.

4.) Freshen up the carpets. Sprinkle baking soda on carpet and upholstered furniture, let it sit for about half an hour, then vacuum the musty smells away.

5.) Make things shiny. Baking soda is great for polishing chrome (bathroom fixtures come to mind) and stainless steel.