(HealthyResearch.com) – You probably have an open one sitting in your pantry and maybe another sitting in the fridge, but that inexpensive little box of baking soda can be worth quite a bit. Did you know it has all sorts of uses? Check out all of these neat tricks we found.
Personal Care
Try adding baking soda to your personal care routine to supplement or replace more expensive products. Some ideas include:
- Mouthwash — Baking soda alters the pH in the mouth, making it harder for harmful bacteria to live. Use it instead of an alcohol- or chlorhexidine-based mouthwash to save a ton of cash.
- Deodorant — You can make an underarm powder by adding cornstarch, or you can create your own natural deodorant paste by adding baking soda to shea or coconut butter along with a drop of essential oil for fragrance.
- Itchy skin — A baking soda bath might help relieve some skin conditions and other issues, says Medical News Today. Dissolve up to 2 cups in a warm bath and enjoy the soak.
- Delay fatigue — A small serving of baking soda might help you improve exercise and athletic performance by reducing lactic acid buildup in your muscles, especially if you are participating in high-intensity training. But check with your doctor first because sodium can affect your heart and other body systems.
Kitchen Cleaning Solution
Looking for an alternative to harsh abrasives in the kitchen? Baking soda could be the answer.
- Stovetop — Scrub away stubborn areas with a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Let the solution sit for 15 to 30 minutes before scrubbing with a sponge.
- Grill — Use a similar method to clean your barbecue or grill. If the surface permits, use a wire brush.
- Grout — Sprinkle baking soda over your tile grout and scrub with a toothbrush to make it look like new.
- Produce — Soak and scrub produce using a solution of baking soda and water to remove pesticides and germs.
- Hands — Make a paste using 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water, and use as a gentle hand scrub.
Odor Control
Baking soda has long held a place in refrigerators for its ability to absorb odors. Try it here too:
- Trash can — Sprinkle along the inside and bottom to catch odors before they start. Toss some in the trash bag for another layer of protection.
- Shoes — Why spend tons of money on expensive odor remedies when a pinch of baking soda will work just as well? Use a coffee filter to contain the powder and leave it in overnight rather than dumping baking soda directly into your shoes.
- Room deodorizer — Fill a crockpot about halfway with water and add a few tablespoons of baking soda. Leave the lid off, turn the crockpot on low and allow it to run for a few hours. You can also sprinkle baking soda directly onto your carpet before vacuuming to freshen the room.
Around the House
Baking soda has a few other potential uses around the house:
- Boost laundry detergent — Soften water and deodorize laundry by adding baking soda to each load. Add ½ cup upon starting each load and another ½ cup during the rinse cycle.
- Clean your sink — Stinky drain? Clear out some of the buildup by dumping a cup each of baking soda and vinegar down the drain. Allow it to finish bubbling before rinsing with a pot of boiling water.
- Put out grease fires — Baking soda is the only baking product that’s safe for snuffing out fires — but only small ones. Do not try this with flour or other kitchen products.
- Pull oil stains — Baking soda is great for absorbing oil. Cover the affected area with baking soda and allow it to sit for about an hour before scrubbing. Repeat if needed.
- Kill roaches — Use baking soda the same way you would borax to create a deadly cockroach bait that’s safe for humans and animals. Mix with powdered sugar to make the baking soda irresistible to the little pests.
- Kill weeds — Apply baking soda to sidewalk cracks to kill weeds without the need for dangerous chemicals. Just be sure to keep it away from your lawn and flower beds, as it will kill those as well.
- Improve iced tea — Reduce the acidity and any cloudiness by adding a pinch of baking soda to your iced tea.
How many of these incredible uses did you know about? With so many reasons to keep it around the house, you might want to grab an extra box the next time you’re out shopping. It could save you some money — and it might come in handy the next time you’re in a fix.
~Here’s to Your Health & Safety!
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