The Many Uses of Baking Soda
Baking Soda Has So Many Uses...
Baking soda, bicarbonate of soda, sodium bicarbonate - it's all the same - is a chemical salt most commonly used as a leavening agent in baking.
But baking soda has so many other uses. For instance did you know that it can be added to your beauty regimen, to clean the house, or for healthcare?
Baking soda may be one of the most versatile things that you have in your kitchen!
It's just as versatile as vinegar (see apple cider vinegar uses).
Skin and Hair Care
1. A Quick Itch Reducer For Stings
Made into a paste of 3 to1 (3 teaspoons of baking soda to 1 teaspoon of water) can be used on bee, wasp and hornet stings to reduce the itching and swelling.
Baking soda paste is also good on ant bites and mosquito bites to reduce the itching.
2. Soothe Itchy, Dry Skin
Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup of baking soda to bathwater to soothe itchy, dry skin.
A baking soda bath is also great for poison oak, ivy or sumac itch
relief.
3. A Great Foot Soak
Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to water as a foot soak for tired, achy or itchy feet.
The baking soda foot bath is also great as a foot deodorizing soak for smelly feet!
4. For Cradle Cap
Make a paste of baking soda and water 3 to 1 (3 teaspoons baking soda to 1 teaspoon water) and gently apply to babys scalp before bedtime allowing time for the paste to dry. Rinse the following morning. This may need to be repeated several times in a row before the cradle cap recedes. Do not use shampoo while using the baking soda paste.
5. For Diaper Rash
Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to baby's bathwater.
6. Eliminate rough scaly elbows and knees
Make a baking soda paste and gently rub into elbows and knees to exfoliate the dead skin. Rinse well. May have to be applied more than once.
7. Eliminate Darkened Armpits
Make a baking soda paste and gently rub into under arms. May have to be applied more than once.
8. Exfoliate Skin
Make a paste of baking soda and water and gently rub on face to exfoliate skin. Rinse well.
9. Clarify Your Hair
Baking soda removes product build up.
Shampoo hair. Put about 1/4 cup of baking soda in your hand and add a little water to make a paste. Apply to hair and massage in gently. Rinse well.
10. A Powerful Deodorant
Applying baking soda under arms works as a deodorant eliminating odors.
11. Remove a Splinter
This just in from Recipes, Tips and Crafts (Facebook):
To remove a splinter apply a paste of baking soda and water.
Let sit several minutes.
The splinter should pop out so it can easily be removed!
Gluten-Free Baking Soda
One thing that I didn't realize is that baking soda contains gluten. I learned this interesting fact when we found out that my son has a gluten intolerance. But the good news is that there is gluten-free baking soda available.
Around the House
1. A Great Mild Scouring Powder
Use baking soda as a non-abrasive cleanser in your toilet, sink, bathtub and on counter tops, pots and pans and stove. Make sure to rinse well.
2. Freshen and Whiten Laundry
Use baking soda to brighten your whites and eliminate odors from clothing. Use 1/2 cup per load.
(Penny over at Penniless Parenting tells how to make Homemade Washing Soda from baking soda.)
3. Freshen Up The Cat Litter Box
Sprinkle baking soda into the litter box in between cleanings to freshen.
4. Eliminate Odors In The Fridge
Leave an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors.
5. Softens Beans
Soaking your beans in water to which a pinch of baking soda has been added helps the beans to soften faster and eliminate the gas that they produce. Rinse well and cook in clean water.
6. Eliminate Diaper Pail Smells
Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the diaper pail to eliminate odors.
7. Clean and Deodorize Brushes and Combs
Fill the basin with warm water and add 1/4 cup of baking soda. Let soak for an hour or so and rinse.
8. Freshen Up Carpet
Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and let sit for at least an hour (preferably overnight) and then vacuum.
9. Unclog drains
Scoop standing water out of sink or bathtub or this wont be effective. Put 1/2 cup of baking soda in drain followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Let sit about 10 minutes and then use a plunger and pour or run hot water down the drain.
You can use this method weekly to keep your drains running smoothly.
10. Add To Cooking Water For Hard Boiled Eggs To Ensure That The Eggs Peel Easily
Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the cooking water.
11. Baking powder substitute:
I use a 2:1 ratio of cream of tartar to baking soda to make baking powder. Works perfectly.
Health Uses
Warning: *** Baking soda is very high in sodium and should be used with caution if you have high blood pressure.
1. Antacid/ Anti Nausea Solution
Cheap and very effective. Add 1/2 teaspoon to 4 ounces of water.
2. Emergency Treatment For Food Intolerance
1 teaspoon of baking soda to 4 ounces of water.
3. Baking Soda Toothpaste
Dip your toothbrush in baking soda and brush. Rinse well!
or you can make a freshening toothpaste by mixing together:
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon of freshly ground sea salt
1 drop of peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen or cinnamon essential oil
A few drops distilled water
4. Sinus Flush
1 teaspoon of baking soda added to your Neti pot and filled halfway with water works to flush your sinuses as well as or better than the expensive sinus flush packets that you buy at the store. You can also add 1 teaspoon of salt to the mixture although it isn't really necessary.
5. Douche
1 tbsp. baking soda mixed in 1 qt. water for a freshening up douche.
.
