1. Cleaning up potty accidents — If you have a dog, at some point, you’ll also have a mess to clean on carpet or rugs. It happens on occasion with even the best housetrained dog, so it’s smart to have clean-up supplies on hand.

After you’ve picked up and/or soaked up the mess, to treat both the smell and the stain, first apply a small amount of club soda and let it dry. Once the spot is dry, apply a sprinkling of baking soda. Allow that to sit for about 15 to 30 minutes, then vacuum it up.

You may have to repeat the process a few times, but the good news is you didn’t need to use any harsh chemicals to get rid of the spot and any lingering odor.

2. De-skunking — If your dog has ever been sprayed by a skunk, it was undoubtedly a memorable experience! If there’s a chance it might happen in the future, here’s what to do.

First, try to keep your dog secured outside (or, second choice, in your garage) while you get ready inside. This will keep the skunk aroma indoors to a minimum. Next, prepare a dog bath by adding ¼ cup baking soda, 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide, and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap to the bathwater. Pull on some rubber gloves and cover your clothes, if you’d like, retrieve little Stinky, and pop her into the water.

Thoroughly lather her up, pulling the mixture all the way through her coat with your fingers, being careful to avoid the eye area. Give her a good rinsing, and the skunk odor should be greatly diminished.

3. Dry bath — Baking soda can also be used to give your dog a “dry bath” in between regular baths or grooming appointments, or when the little dickens has gotten into something smelly. All you need to do is make sure he’s completely dry, then sprinkle baking soda lightly over his coat, rub it in a bit, then brush it through.

This simple treatment should get him through to his next real bath, and as a bonus, it can also help relieve itching.

4. Reducing odors on carpets and dog beds — If your canine companion’s favorite napping spot develops a bit of a doggy odor, just sprinkle some baking soda over the surface, let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, and vacuum.

5.Cleaning dog toys Although you might not be able to see it, chances are your dog’s hard toys are perpetually grubby with dirt and encrusted drool. They should be cleaned regularly, and you can use baking soda for this project, too.

Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda per 1 quart of water, plop the toys in the solution, grab an old toothbrush or other small brush and give the toys a good scrubbing. Rinse them thoroughly and allow them to dry. For soft (stuffed) toys, sprinkle the surface with baking soda, let them sit for 15 minutes, and brush them clean.

6. Relieving the pain of bee stings — If your dog has a close encounter with a bee and gets stung, it’s as painful for her as it would be for you. First, find the stinger and gently remove it with tweezers. Then create a paste by adding baking soda to a little water and apply the paste to the site. Reapply the paste as often as necessary for the next few hours.