Baking Soda
Baking soda is a commonly used household product. What you may not know is that this product isn’t limited to cooking. It is very versatile, and there are plenty of ways that you can use baking soda. Here are baking soda tricks everyone should know about.
Clean Dirty Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables that were bought in the supermarket are often filthy with pesticides. The best way to get them completely clean is to use a little bit of baking soda. Soak your fruits and vegetables in one teaspoon of baking soda per every two cups of water. After allowing them to soak for a while, scrub with a damp sponge, and your fruit and vegetables will be safe to eat.
Clean Your Rugs and Carpets
Stains on the carpets can be hard to get out, and they can have a negative effect on the appearance of your home. If you want to remove a stubborn stain, start by sprinkling some baking soda over it. Be sure to do so generously. Next, pour some water on top of the baking soda and allow it to sit overnight. In the morning, vacuum up the baking soda that is still on the floor, and the stain should be gone. If it is a really stubborn stain, you may need to repeat the process a couple of times.
Make your Own Mouthwash
If you are tired of having bad breath and you can’t seem to freshen it up no matter what you try, baking soda could be the solution to all of your problems. This is because it contains antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It is very simple to make your own mouthwash. Simply combine a half-teaspoon of baking soda and warm water. Mix the solution and rinse your mouth. You will notice a significant difference in your breath right away.
Deodorant
Baking soda can do more than freshen your breath. It can actually make you smell better, as well. If you don’t want to use a traditional deodorant that contains chemicals, all you need is baking soda. Mix a little baking soda with some water, and rub it under your armpits. It will keep you dry and smelling great, and you don’t need to worry about all of the chemicals included in store-bought deodorant.
Air Fresheners
Most of the air fresheners that you buy in the store just mask bad smells rather than eliminating them. Also, these products are loaded with chemicals. When you spray store-bought air fresheners in the air, you have no idea what your family is breathing in. Baking soda is a safer alternative, and it interacts with the odors rather than just covering them up. To make your own air freshener, you will need a spray bottle, baking soda, water, and your favorite essential oil. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. This will eliminate the smell rather than covering it up.
Whiter and Brighter Clothes
If you want your clothes to remain white and bright, add a cup of baking soda to the washing machine along with your regular detergent. Baking soda works so great on laundry because ti contains alkali, which is a soluble salt that is great for removing stains. When the baking soda interacts with the acids in the stains, it will remove the stain quickly.
Bathroom Cleaner
Of all the rooms in the house, the bathroom is one of the most difficult to clean. You can try every product on the supermarket shelf, and none of them will work as well as baking soda. Not only will it whiten surfaces, but it will also disinfect them. You can use a baking soda mixture on just about anything, including tiles, sinks, and toilets. To make your own solution, create a cream mixture, and rub it in the areas where you are cleaning. Allow the mixture to sit for about 20 minutes, then wipe it up. This is an excellent alternative to store-bought cleaners because it is chemical-free, and it is much less expensive.
Polishing Silverware
Having fancy silverware is excellent when you have a family get together. The only problem is that good silver will tarnish over time. If you are planning a family dinner and you want your silverware to shine, all you need is baking soda and water. Combine baking soda with hot water in a bowl and soak your silver. The baking soda will initiate a chemical reaction that targets tarnish marks. You can watch it happen right before your eyes, and when you are done, your silver will be shining again. This method is faster and more effective than using silver polish.
Spa Treatment
There is nothing better than relaxing in a hot tub after a long, stressful day. You can turn your bathtub into a spa by adding an ounce of baking soda into the bathtub. This will save you the cost of an expensive spa visit, and you won’t even need to leave your home.
Disinfect Your Toothbrush
Most people don’t think about cleaning their toothbrushes. As long as it is being used a couple of times a day, you assume that your toothbrush is clean. During cold and flu season, cleaning your toothbrush is essential in keeping the bacteria off your toothbrush. It is very simple to disinfect your toothbrush. All you need is baking soda, vinegar, and water. Combine the three ingredients in a glass, and allow your toothbrush to soak your toothbrush for 30 minutes. You should do this once a week to ensure that your toothbrush is free of bacteria.
Treating Bug Bites
Bug bites can make your skin itchy, red, and bumpy. If you scratch the bites, they will bleed and scab over. This puts you at risk for infection. Baking soda will soothe the itch of a bug bite and help it to heal faster. You can make your own solution by combining baking soda with water. Mix it so that it creates a paste, and rub it on the bite. In seconds, the itch will stop, and the bite will be less noticeable.
Burned Pots
If you accidentally burned a pot while cooking, you don’t need to throw it away. You can try the store-bought products to bring the pot back to its original condition, but they likely won’t work. The best way to handle this type of accident is with baking soda. Boil water mixed with baking soda and pour it over the burned area. Allow the pot to soak for a bit and rinse. The burned areas should wipe clean.
Cleaning Your Shoes
Stinky sneakers are really annoying and can be embarrassing. If your sneakers stink, you won’t want to take your shoes off in front of other people. Fortunately, there is a safe and easy way to get rid of the odor, and you won’t need to throw your stinky shoes away. Pour about two tablespoons in two nylon stockings. Tie the stocking up, and put one in each of your shoes when you aren’t wearing them. When you put them on, your sneakers will smell fresh again.
Heartburn
Anyone who has ever had heartburn knows how painful it can be. The condition is also known as acid reflux, and it can cause a burning sensation from your throat to your stomach, going through your esophagus. This condition can be brought on by overeating, from stress, by eating spicy foods as well as certain fruits. A great way to naturally treat your condition is with baking soda. Combine a glass of water with a teaspoon of baking soda. A few minutes after drinking the mixture, you should start to feel better. This is an excellent solution if you don’t have any heartburn medication in the house. Also, this treatment option is all-natural.
Helps With Chemotherapy
A cancer diagnosis can shake you to your core. Doctors will often start you on chemotherapy treatment, which is designed to wipe out the tumor and cancer cells. Because cancer is a deadly disease, it is essential that the chemotherapy treatments are effective. Baking soda can help the chemo work. Baking soda contains bicarbonate, which makes the environment for tumors less acidic, which helps with the chemotherapy treatment. With such a severe diagnosis, you should do anything you can to ensure the effectiveness of the chemotherapy treatments.
Making a Fluffy Omelet
If you love omelets, you should add baking soda to the recipe. For every three eggs that you put in your omelet, add ½ teaspoon of baking soda. The baking soda will produce bubbles of carbon dioxide, which will lighten the omelet. Your eggs will also look fuller, and they will taste better. When you try this, you won’t believe that you ever made omelets without baking soda.
Clean Out Your Drains
There is nothing worse than when the kitchen or bathroom drains are clogged. A clogged drain can make it impossible to do regular household chores. If you do have a clogged drain, combine baking soda, vinegar, and a pot of boiling water. Pour the mixture down the drain and let it sit for a while. After about 30 minutes, you can run the hot water down the drain, and it should flow right down.
Stinky Garbage Disposal
It is not uncommon for your garbage disposal to stink. The food that goes down there can leave foul odors behind. The best way to get rid of these odors is to create a baking soda solution. Start by running the hot water down the garbage disposal for about a minute. Next, pour ¼ cup of baking soda into the drain and allow the disposal to run for two seconds, and turn it off. After 10 minutes, pour a cup of vinegar down, and bubbles will start to develop. Run the water one more time, and the odor will be gone.
Whiten Your Teeth
Coffee, tobacco, and red wine can stain your teeth. A great natural way to whiten your teeth is with baking soda. Simply add a quart teaspoon of baking soda to water so that it creates a paste, and brush your teeth. When you are done, the stains will be gone, and your teeth will be whiter.
