9 Best Baking Soda Bath Benefits + Recipes for Relief!

Soaking in the bathtub is not only relaxing but it can also be great for your health. Simply by adding baking soda (aka “sodium bicarbonate”) to your tub of water, you can soothe any number of ailments.

A baking soda bath has many known health benefits. It can help alleviate skin conditions such as eczema, yeast infections, skin fungus, and diaper rash. Adding baking soda to a tub of warm water works well to draw out toxins while relieving stress.

In this article, I share my favorite baking soda bath recipes and dive into the health benefits.

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Basic Baking Soda Bath Recipe

This is the most basic soaking recipe – you don’t need to add any other ingredients.

Ingredients:

¼ to 2 cups of baking soda
Warm, not hot, water in the tub

Directions:

Fill the bathtub with warm water to your desired depth
Pour the baking soda into the tub of water and stir with your hand until the powder has dissolved
Step into the tub, lie down and relax for 20 minutes.

Is a Baking Soda Bath Healthy?

World's Greatest Detoxifying Bath Recipe

Baking soda, commonly known as sodium bicarbonate (or “sodium bicarb”), is an extremely versatile product used in everything from baked goods to cleaning materials. It can also help alleviate many health problems.

When ingested, baking soda can be an effective antacid for heartburn relief and is also used as a remedy for indigestion as it neutralizes stomach acid.

Although baking soda is safe to consume, it should only be used sparingly as it is very high in sodium – ½ tsp of baking powder contains 629mg of sodium, which equates to about ¼ of the recommended daily intake, according to the U.S Government Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

But is bathing in baking soda good for you?

Yes! Baking soda is often used as a treatment for the relief of painful skin conditions.

Baking soda has a high pH which reacts with the bathwater to neutralize the pH. The alkalinity in baking soda makes the water feel silky.

The excellent video above from Fitlife.tv talks about the benefits of baking soda in your bathtub. And it includes a bath recipe that combines baking soda, Epsom salts and ginger.

9 Baking Soda Bath Benefits

Baking soda can be used to clean the bathtub

A good long deep soak in a warm tub is always good for the soul, but what conditions will a spoon or two of baking soda treat? Let’s find out!

Health Warning: If you do suffer from any skin or health conditions, check with your doctor first before adding baking soda to your bathtub water.

1. The Ultimate Detox Solution

Every day your body is exposed to toxins in the air, water, and from the food you eat. Baking soda works to naturally detoxify your system and remove these toxins from your body. (Source)

A long detox soak is a great way to cleanse your body and boost your immune system while helping you to unwind.

Whenever you’re taking a detox bath, be sure to hydrate yourself plenty—before, during and after you soak.

2. Baking Soda Soothes Eczema

People suffering from eczema are prone to itchy and inflamed patches of skin, with regular flare-ups. The condition can worsen if the skin breaks from scratching, allowing infection to set in.

Regular soaking in a warm tub of water with one quarter to one half cup of baking soda can help soothe itchy skin.

3. Reduces Psoriasis Inflammation

Psoriasis is a very dry skin condition causing itchiness and irritation. Many people living with this condition take daily medicated baths to soothe the skin.

Add ½ cup of baking soda to the warm tub of water for further relief.

4. Treats Nail Infections and Fungal Skin

Nail fungus or onychomycosis causes thick, crumbly discolored, and painful nails. As baking soda is an antifungal agent, it can help to fight off the fungal strains that attack the skin and nails.

Add ½ to 1 cup of baking soda to your tub of water. Regularly soaking hands and feet in a tub of warm water with baking soda mixed in should help relieve the symptoms.

A recent antifungal study conducted on yeasts, dermatophytes, and molds responsible for human nail and skin infections concluded that sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) inhibited the growth of these fungi in 79% of the specimens during a 7-day trial. (Source)

However, be sure to speak to your doctor if you have developed a fungal infection of any kind.

5. Soothes Yeast Infections and UTI Infections

Relaxing in a warm tub is the best way to soothe yeast infections and UTIs. Add ½ to 1 cup of baking soda to the water and swirl the water around with your hand until the powder dissolves.

A good soak in warm water and baking soda is a great way to neutralize a yeast infection. Simply soak in the water for about 15 minutes and feel the irritation fade away.

Some women might experience itching and irritation around their sensitive areas. Adding ¼ cup of baking soda to the warm tub water and soaking for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day should reduce some of these symptoms.

If the pain and discomfort do not ease, seek medical help.

6. Heals Toxic Plant Rash

Not all plants are safe to touch – sometimes plants are toxic to humans and can cause a nasty, painful rash on the skin.

The rash is caused by oils secreted by the plants, and the best way to soothe the skin and prevent the oils from spreading is to wash them away in the tub.

Dissolve ½ to 1 cup baking soda in the warm tub of water to help reduce itching and irritation and reduce symptoms. Adding oatmeal to the tub water can further help reduce the irritation and soothe inflamed skin.

7. Eases Itchy Skin Conditions

Treatments for any skin conditions usually require medicated soaps, potions and lotions, and occasionally strong medication.

While these remedies are not necessarily bad (and you should always speak to your doctor for advice on how to treat skin conditions), “alternative” methods have been used over the years to treat and soothe painful skin ailments.

Did you know that baking soda is successfully used to bring relief to the following conditions:

Sunburn. Baking soda’s antifungal properties are known to soothe irritated and sunburned skin. Add 2 heaping Tablespoons of baking soda to a warm tub of water.
Insect bites. Bug bites and bee stings are painful and nasty! Add 1 to 2 cups of baking soda to lukewarm bathtub water to relieve the itch from insect bites. Ensure the affected area is completely submerged for at least 20 minutes.
Chickenpox. To soothe the constant itchiness of chickenpox, add 1 to 2 cups of baking soda to the warm tub water and soak for 20 minutes three times a day. This should bring instant relief to itchy skin.
Constipation and hemorrhoids. Add a ¼ cup of baking soda to the warm tub of water and swirl to dissolve. This solution should relieve the symptoms.
Hives. Generally, an allergic reaction to pollen, medication, food, animals, or insect bites, hives are painful, raised red welts on the skin. As baking soda is a natural antiseptic, a cup poured into your warm tub of water will soothe the itchiness.

8. Treats Diaper Rash

Some infants are prone to an uncomfortable red skin rashes known as “diaper rash.” To relieve irritated skin, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the baby’s tub water and soak the baby’s bottom for at least 10 minutes.

9. Provides Relief for Muscle Pain and Tension

Tired muscles release lactic acid after intense exercise, causing muscle pain and fatigue. As baking soda is a natural antacid, adding 1 cup to your warm tub of water will soothe your muscles and offer pain relief. Add baking soda to an Epsom salt bath recipe to really rejuvenate.

Also, see the recipes just below.

2 Easy Baking Soda Bath Recipes

A basic baking soda recipe is simple and easy. Try my favorite recipes the next time you bathe and soak away your cares!