Baking Soda Power! · Fridge freshener Shiny surfaces De-odorizing bottles and flasks De-odorizing...

BakingSodaPower!FrugalandNatural:Health,

Cleaning,andHygieneSecretsofBakingSoda2NDEDITION!

ByPattyKorman

TableofContentsBakingSodaPower!FrugalandNatural:Health,Cleaning,andHygieneSecretsofBakingSodaTableofContentsIntroduction.1.Bakingsodabasics.OriginsJusthowdoesbakingsodawork?

2.Kitchencleaningwithbakingsoda.BugrepellentOdor-killerFridgefreshenerShinysurfacesDe-odorizingbottlesandflasksDe-odorizinghandsDishsoapDe-odorizingspongesCleaningthemicrowaveandovenMopcleanerBetterdishsoap

3.Cookingwithbakingsoda.Reduceacidityinfood.De-odorizingmeatFluffyomeletsEasierhardboiledeggsDe-featheringgameHomemadeGatoradeSubstituteforbakingpowderTenderizemeatCleanburnedpans

4.Bathroomupkeepwithbakingsoda.ShowercurtainsUncloggingdrainsStainedtoiletGlasscleanerBathroomde-odorizingFloor,bathtubcleaner

ToothbrushandcombfreshenerUnclogshowerheadNaturalgroutcleaner

5.Laundrywithbakingsoda.Children’sclothesDe-odorizingclothesDe-odorizingshoesStainremoverOilremoverDe-odorizehandwashables

6.Hygieneandbeautyusesforbakingsoda.HomemadetoothpasteSoakdentures,retainers,mouthguardsBakingsodadeodorantMouthwashandbadbreathkillerDe-productyourhairExfoliantscrubandhandsoapBakingsodabathsDryshampooSorethroatgargle

7.Personalcareandhealthuseswithbakingsoda.BakingsodaantacidEliminatediaperrashBugbitereliefNasalirrigationCankersorecureBurnreliefAthlete’sfootcure

8.Aroundthehousewithbakingsoda.KittylitterfreshenerCarpet,mattress,andfurniturefreshenerStuffedanimalfreshenerDryshampooforodorouspetsAshtrayde-odorizerCleanfloorsandwallsFireextinguisherHomemadepettoothpaste

9.Bakingsodaoutdoors.CarseatfreshenerCarairfreshenerSpacklesubstituteAnti-fungicideforplantsImprovepottingsoilSeptictankDe-icingpaths

Conclusion

Introduction.Congratulationsfordownloadingthisbook–youarenowonestepclosertogreatlyimprovingyourhealth,home,andhygienefromthatlittleboxofpowdersittinginyourfridge.Youmightbeaskingyourselfiftherereallyaresomanyusesforbakingsoda,oneofthecheapestthingsinyourkitchen.TheanswerisadefinitiveYESandI’msohappytohelpyoudiscoverthemall.It’smadeahugedifferenceinthewaythatIrunmyhouseholdandit’slightonmywallet.Whatmorecouldyouaskfor?Whatyou’llfindinthisbookisanenormouslistofwaysthatyoucanmaximizebakingsoda…andyou’veprobablyneverheardofanyofthem.Someofthemarecreative,somearebasedonscience,somearecommonsense,butALLareextremelyusefulandhelpful.You’lllearnhealthtips,cleaningtips,andhygienetips–tosaytheleast.You’llalsoseehowyoucanapplybakingsodainthekitchen,bathroom,bedroom,laundryroom,andevenoutdoors.Yes,bakingsodahasusesliterallyeverywhereinsideandoutsideofyourhome.It’soneofnature’sgreat,untappedresourcesforyoureverydayuse.Iexpectthatafterreadingthisbook,youwillhaveastashofbakingsodaineveryroominyourhouse.It’scheap,convenient,andyoucangetitanywhere.Nowthat’samottothateveryonecangetbehind.Here’sthePattyKormanapproachtoenjoyingworkingwithyourhome–theeasieritis,themoreyou’llloveandcherishit.Thesebakingsodatipsandtrickswillhelpyouaccomplishthatinnotimeflat.Nomoreachore.Bakingsodaistheforgottenfriendthatpeopleuseforveryfewpurposes–canyounamesome?Ibettheonlytimeyou’veeverthoughtaboutusingbakingsodabeforethisbookistojustputaboxinyourfridge.

Thatshowcasesonlyoneofbakingsoda’smanyamazingtraits.ThisbookwillteachyousomanymorewaysyoucanusebakingsodaaroundyourhousestartingTOMORROW.Hownicewoulditbetocleanyourhouse,takecareofyourhealth,andimproveyourhygienewithaonedollarboxofpowder?It’sasgreatasitsoundsandmorefrugalthanyouknow.Todayisthebeginningofamoreproductiveandefficientlifestyle,broughttoyoubybakingsoda.

1.Bakingsodabasics.

OriginsBakingsodaisachemicalcompoundthatdatesbacktothedaysoftheancientEgyptians.Thatmeansithasbeenusedforroughly3,000yearsandhasstoodthetestoftime.Theyusedbakingsodaasacomponentinacleaningagentthattheycallednatron–eventhen,theyrecognizedtheinherentpropertiesandbenefitsofbakingsoda.Imaginethat–3,000yearsago,andpeoplewerejustasinnovativeandcreativeasus.Itjustgoestoshowthatthemosteffectiveproductsandcleanersmostofthetimearenaturalandgentle–afarcryfromtheharshdetergentsandchemicalsmorecommonlyinusetoday.BakingsodainitsmodernformwasfirstcreatedbyNicolasLeblancin1791,andthefirstcommercialbakingsodaproductionfactorywasformedin1846byAustinChurchandJohnDwight–theycreatedabrandthatyoumightrecognizeinArmandHammer.Arguably,itwasusedfarmoreinthe1800sand1900sbecauseoftheinfancyofhouseholdchemicalsandlackofviableoptions.Asweroutinelyreachforbleach,409,orCometforourpurposes,wehaveforgottenaboutthegeneralutilityofbakingsoda.Wesimplydon’tknowwhattodowithitnow–weknowwecanscrubacoupleofthingswithit,andweknowthataboxintherefrigeratorcanreducesomeodors.Butdidyouknowthatyoucanactuallyconsumeitinsmallquantities(extremelysafely)andmixitwithothercompoundsforbeneficialchemicalreactions?

That’sright–youcanreplacethemajorityofthecommercialcleanersthatyouhaveunderyoursink,andthankgoodnessbecausethebestpartaboutbakingsodaisthatitissafe.Bakingsodaavoidsallthepotentialharmandriskofmostcommercialcleaningproductsontheshelvesofagrocerystorebecauseit’snatural.Mostcleaningproductsthatyoucanbuyfrommarketstodaycontainmanyharmfultoxins,andcanevenbedangeroustoinhaleoruseinsmallrooms.Trycleaningabathroomwithbleachwhilethedoorisclosedandtellmeyoudon’thaveaheadache.Infact,aheadachewillbetheleastofyourproblemsifyoudothisonalong-termbasis.They’llhaveatleastsomeofthefollowingchemicals:phthalates,perchloroethylene,2-butoxyethanol,chlorine,andammonia.Ifthosesoundevilandominous,it’sbecausetheyare.Whenusedinexcess,theycanevencauselungdamageandcancer.Othersideeffectsinclude:

1. Damagedskinfromprolongedexposure(evenfromfumes!)2. Damagedorgansfromskinexposure3. Dizzinessandheadaches4. Liverandkidneydamage5. Throatirritation6. Swellinginthethroatandmouth7. Chemicalburnsintheesophagusandsinuses

Andlet’snotforgetthatifyoumixammoniawithbleach,youcreateachlorinegasthatisfatalwithinminutes.Anytimeyou’reexposingyourselftotheseharmfulchemicalsisarisktoyourhealth.It’sliketakingahorsetranquilizertosleepinsteadofanormaloverthecountersleepingpill.It’sjustunnecessaryifyouhavebetter,saferoptions.Wecandobetter.Withbakingsoda,wecanavoidthesedangeroussideeffectsandstaynaturalalltheway.

Justhowdoesbakingsodawork?Thereasonthatbakingsodaworksaswellasitdoesisitschemicalmakeup.Ithascertaintraitsthatallowittoservemanyfunctionswhilebeingextremelyhealthyandnon-toxic.Firstofall,bakingsodaisphysicallymild,butslightlyabrasive.Whatdoesthismean?Bakingsodaisgentle,buteffective.Itdoesn’treactwithmanyothercompoundssoitiswidelyusable.It’sapowderthatyoucouldmistakeforflour,butunlikeflour,it’sabrasiveandcanbeusedtogentlyscrubsurfacesclean.It’salsowatersoluble,soyouwillalwaysbeabletowashanyexcessaway.Second,bakingsodaneutralizespHlevels.Bakingsodaisbasic.Itisalkaline.Thismeansitneutralizesthenaturalacidityinmanythings,whichlengthenstheirlivesandallowsthemtolastlonger.Forexample,ifyouweretousebakingsodainyourplumbingandpipes,itwouldbeabletoneutralizethepHofthewaterandpreventcorrosionofthepipes.Nowwe’retalking–hundredsofdollarsinplumbersfeesreplacedbybakingsoda.Thisappliestoacidityinallwalksoflife,andanytimeyouwanttomanipulatethepHofsomething.Third,bakingsodaisnon-toxic.It’snaturalandcanevenbeingestedinsmallamounts.Thismakesitusableincookingandanywherethereisthepossibilityofcontactwithskin.Youcanhandleitsafelyandforextendedperiodsoftime.Bakingsodaisamuchbetteralternativeifyouliveinasmallapartment,havechildrenorpets,orjustwanttodecreaseyourexposuretoharmfulsubstances.Thatshouldbeeveryone.Takealloftheseelementsandyougetasubstancethatisamazinglyversatileforusearoundthehouse.

2.Kitchencleaningwithbakingsoda.Althoughbakingsodacanbeusedanywhere,ithasthegreatestutilityinthekitchen.Kitchensaregross.Akitchenalwaysneedscleaning.Akitchenalwayshasodors.That’sprobablywherethebakingsodaisstoredinyourhouse,solet’sstartthere.Thekitchenisalsoanotherplacewheretoxicandharmfulcleanersareoftenused.Forexample,haveyouthoughtaboutwhatmakesde-greaserseffective?It’sscary–imaginewhatthatwoulddotoyourskin.There’sareasonweweargloveswhilecleaningthekitchensooften.Throwthoseoutafteryoureadthischapteronbakingsoda.

BugrepellentKitchensalwaysattractbugsbecausethereareodorsandcrumbs.Evenifyou’recleanascanbe,bugswillbeinyourkitchenatsomepointwhethertheyareants,beetles,orevencockroaches.Sprinklingbakingsodaaroundareasthatarepronetobugswillhelpkeepthemaway.Thesewillbeareassuchasunderthesink,incorners,inshelves,andaroundwhereyouhavewetfoodandcomposttrash.First,itinhibitsthegrowthofmildewandmoldbecausebakingsodaisadesiccant–itdriesthingsout.Second,bakingsodawillabsorbanyleftoverodors.Finally,bakingsodawillflatoutkillbugswhentheyingestitbecauseitwillcreatecarbondioxideintheinsectandexpandingtheirstomachs,causingthemtoburst.Andofcourse,thebestpartisthatyoucanopenlyleavebakingsodainthoseareaswherepeoplewillbebecauseitissafe.

Odor-killerOdorsareeverywhereinyourhouse,notjustthekitchen.Buttheworstonesareoftenherebecauseof(1)leftoverfood,(2)thepresenceofwaterinsinks,and(3)thegarbagecanoverflowingwithsoggymatter.Thiscanleadtobugs,andevenworse–mice.Ifyouhaveasmallkitchenwithlittletonotventilation,it’sgoingtobetoughtowanttostepinthereeverydaywhileodorsarecompounding.Whileyoucan’tde-odorizeleftoverfoodverywell,youcandefinitelytakecareoftheodorsinyoursinksandgarbagecan.Infact,youshoulddothisquicklysolayersofbacteriadon’tbuildup.Allyouneedtodoissprinklebakingsodaoversmellyareas,letitabsorbtheodorovernight,andwipeitawaywithawetpapertowel.Thismeansyoucansprinklebakingsodaintothegarbagecan(insidethetrashbag)directly,andpouritdownthesinkdraindirectly(washdownwithhotwaterinthesink).Useliberally.Youcansqueezealemonoverthecleansurfacesforanextratouchofpleasantness.Ifthegarbagecanitselfisdevelopinganodor,youdon’thavetotakeitoutsideandwashitwithahose.Youcanalsojustsprinklebakingsodaintothegarbagecanitselfanditwillsuckuptheleftovermoistureandodorunderthetrashbag.Again,useliberally.

FridgefreshenerThisisperhapsthebest-knownuseforbakingsoda,andunfortunatelyoneoftheonlyonesthatpeopleuseitfor.Ifyoupopopenaboxofbakingsodainyourfridge,itwillkeepyourfridgeodorless.Thismakesitapleasantexperienceforyou,anditpreventsstrongfoododorsfromseepingintootherfoodsandruiningtheirtaste.Forexample,ifyouhavesomethingwithastrongonionorgarlicodor,youcanpreventyourentirefridgefromsmellingthatway,andotherfoodsfromhavinganonionorgarlicresidueortaste.

ShinysurfacesEvenifyoucleanwell,sometimesyoucan’tavoidfingerprintsonyourshinysurfaceslikechrome,steel,countertops,andevenmarble.Itfeelsliketheyareunavoidable–ifyoucleanonefingerprint,you’llleaveanotherelsewhere.Bakingsodaisagreatpolishingagent--andmuchmilderandgentlerthancommercialpolishingagents.Recallthatbakingsodaisamildabrasive.Thismeansithasthepoweryouneed.Ifyoupolishallofthesesurfaceswithabakingsodaandwatersolution(1tablespoonwith8ounces),itwillwipeawayallofyourfingerprintsandmakethemshinelikeyouneverthoughtpossible.Youcanalsojustlightlysprinklebakingsodaontopofthesurfacesyouwanttopolishandwipethemdownwithwarmpapertowels.

De-odorizingbottlesandflasksIboughtmyhusbandaflaskthathe’susedallofoncebecausehesaiditjustdidn’tfeelcleanafterheuseditonce.Andhe’sright–there’snogoodwaytocleanflasksandbottlesthatyoucan’tfitaspongeorbrushinto.Bakingsodapresentsasimplesolutiontothis.Tocleanyourbottles,flasks,andotherutensilsorcontainersthatholdstrongodors,soaktheminabakingsodasolution(1tablespoonwith8ouncesofwater)foranhouratatime.Rinseandrepeatifnecessary.Nowmyhusbanduseshisflaskallthetime–oftenwhenit’sembarrassing!

De-odorizinghandsIfyouhaveevercookedwithgarlicoronionsbefore,youknowthatitisdifficulttogetridofodorsonyourhands.Itdoesn’tmatterhowmanytimesyou’vewashedthem–sometimestheodorsarestilltherethenextday.Ifyoucookanyethnicfoodatall,you’llknowthatthisproblemextendsfarbeyondgarlicandonions.Howdoyoudealwithsmellyhandsafteryou’redonecooking?Youcanmakeasimplehandscrubsolutionwithwaterandbakingsoda(1tablespoonwith8ouncesofwater,orjustsprinklebakingsodaonyourhandsandscrubtogetherunderwarmwater).Anaddedbenefittothisbakingsodasolutionisyoucanquicklyeliminatetheodorsonyourhandswithoutdryingyourhandsoutfromwashingthemtentimes.

De-odorizingspongesWeallwashourdisheswithsponges,butwedon’treplacethespongeseverydaybecausethatwouldbehighlyimpracticalandexpensive.However,whenwekeepaspongeforoveraweek,theystarttodevelopanodor.Andwhenyouwashdishes,oftentheodorofthespongestaysonyourhandinsteadofthesoapsmell.Sotoeliminatethisodoronthesponge,justdropyourspongeintoasolutionof2tablespoonsofbakingsodaand16ouncesofwaterandletitsoakforabout30minutes.Afterthis,youwon’thavetoworryaboutastinkysponge–forafewdaysanyway.Youmightwanttotakecaretosanitizeyourspongesdailyandnotjusttreattheodorthattheycause,however.

CleaningthemicrowaveandovenTherearespecificcleanersforbothoftheseappliances,andtheyhappentobeextremelyharshbecauseofthegunkthatbuildsupinthem.Thisissomethingwewanttoavoid,becauseourfoodispotentiallytouchingthem.WearepotentiallyingestingallofthoseharshchemicalsImentionedearlierwhenyouusecommercialcleaners.Whatifyoumissedaspotandsomeofitdripsintoyourfooddirectly?Cleaninggunkinamicrowaveorovenisdifficultbecausethegunkoftenbuildsupsoheavilythatyouneedtoscrubvigorouslybeforemakinganyprogressincleaning.Bakingsodatotherescue.Here’sascrub-freemethodtosafelycleanyourmicrowaveorovenbuildup.Spreadabakingsodapasteof½cupofbakingsodawith¼cupofwater,andleaveitonthegunkovernight.Theninthemorning,spraythebakingsodawithvinegar,letitbubbleabit,andwipeitalloffwithadamppapertowel.Youcanrinseandrepeatifnecessarywithparticularlytoughbuildups.Asidenoteonbakingsoda’sreactivitywithvinegar:whenyoucombinethesetwosubstances,youcreateachemicalreactionbecausebakingsodaisbasicandvinegarandacidic.Youmightthinkthiscausesthesubstancestoneutralizeeachother–thisistrue,butinthefirstfewminutesfollowingcombiningthetwo,thechemicalreactioncreatescarbonicacid.Carbonicacidisagreatcleaningagent,butisunfortunatelyveryunstableandquicklydegradesintocarbondioxide(amongotherthings),whichexplainsthebubblesthatyou’llalwayssee.Thismeanstoeffectivelyusebakingsodaandvinegarincleaning,youcannotcombinetheminadvance.

MopcleanerWeusemopstocleanourkitchenfloorsandeliminateallthesplashesanddropsoffoodwastethathavefallenoverweeksandmonths.Buthaveyoueverthoughtaboutwashingthemoptomakesurethatyou’renotjustspreadingthefilthallovertheflooragain?Bakingsodacanhelpyouwashyourmop.Justpour½cupofbakingsodaintoabucketandsoakthemopforatleast1hour.Thiswillbegentleonthemop,yetcleanandde-odorizeit.Notably,bakingsodaisn’tstrongenoughtokilltheworstgermsandbacteriaoutthere,butitwilleliminatethevastmajorityofthem.Tomakeyourmop100%clean,putafewdropsofbleachintothebucketalongwiththebakingsoda.Butyoumustnevermixbleachandvinegar,becausethatcreateschlorinegas,whichcanbefatal.

BetterdishsoapSometimesourdishsoapjustisn’tenoughtocutthroughthegreaseandoilthatwe’veusedincooking.Healthaside,wecanincreasetheeffectivenessofourdishsoapifwesimplysprinklebakingsodaontoourspongewhilewearewashingdishes.Itisgreatforcuttingthroughgrease,andmakesyourdishsoapabitmoreabrasiveforbetterscrubbing.

3.Cookingwithbakingsoda.

Reduceacidityinfood

Bakingsodaisbasicandaneutralizer.Thismeansitreducestheaciditylevelsofwhateveritisaddedto.SomefoodsweeatareextremelyacidicintermsofpHlevels,whichcanbehardonyourstomachandultimatelycontributetoulcersoracidreflux(heartburn).Addingbakingsodatothefoodweeatcan(1)reducetastesthataretootart,sharp,oracidic,and(2)makeiteasieronourstomach.That’sgreat.Forexample,youcansprinklebakingsodatotomato-based,citrus-basedorvinegar-basedrecipestoreducethesharptaste.Sprinkletotaste–addalittleatatimeuntilyoulikewhatyoutaste.Ifyouhaveactualheartburnoracidrefluxproblems,youcanadd1teaspoonofbakingsodato1cupofsodaanddrinkitslowly.Thiswilleliminatetheburningsensationandcanalsocalmupsetstomachs.Justbewareifyouhavekidneyorheartconditions,orareoncertaintypesofmedicationthatalteryourbloodpH.

De-odorizingmeatSometimes,themeatwecookandputintoourbodieshasastrong,strongsmell.Sometimesthisisgoodandsavory,yetothertimesitcanstillmakeusgagbeforeweproperlyseasonit.Fishandhuntedgamecometomind,especially.Toremovesuchstrongodors(notspoilage,justaggressivegameyodorsandflavors)fromfishandhuntedgame,youcanjustletthefilletsorpiecesofmeatsoakinatablespoonofbakingsodaand16ouncesofwatersolutionforuptoanhour.Rinsethemeat,andthestrongodorwillbegone.Yourmeatwillnowtastemuchbetteroncetheedgehasbeenremovedfromit.Notallofusenjoyeatingmeatorfishthattasteslikeitwasjustpickedoutfromthesaltyocean.

FluffyomeletsWho’safanofbreakfast?Thereisnobettermealintheuniverse.Breakfastshouldbehadatlunchanddinnerfrequently.Evenifyou’renotafanofbreakfastingeneral,thereisnowayyouwon’tbeafanofthefluffy,deliciousomeletsthatbakingsodacanhelpyoucreate.Ifyouadd½tablespoonofbakingsodato3eggsandwhiskitalltogether,youromeletswillbeniceandfluffy.Thiscreatespicture-perfectomeletsandalsofeelsgreatinthemouth.

EasierhardboiledeggsHardboiledeggscanbeverydifficultforsomepeopletopeel.Theymightnothaveverygoodfingerdexterity,ortheyarejustplainbadatit.Whateverthecase,youcansimplifythisprocessbyadding2tablespoonsofbakingsodatothewaterthatyouboilyoureggsin.Thiswillmaketheshellseparatefromtheeggeasier,andmakehardboiledeggsamoreaccessibletreatforyou.

De-featheringgameIfyou’reahunter,youwilllovethistip.Sometimesyoucan’tbebotheredtode-featherabirdbyhand,andtheeasiestwaytodoitotherwiseistoboilit.Addatablespoonofbakingsodatothepotofwaterthatyouareboilingforthebird–thatwillhelpthefeathersslideoffeasier,andkeeptheskincleanerandeasiertocooklater.Ofcourse,thisalsodecreasesthesometimesfoulodorthatcomeswithfreshlykilledmeat.

HomemadeGatoradeIfyouhaveasportingeventcomingupsoon,youcansavemoneybymakingyourownGatorade!Thisiseasierthanyouthink,andifyouareasoccermomandhavetoprovidebeveragesforanentireteam,looknofurther.Allyouhavetodoismix:

½tablespoonofbakingsoda½tablespoonofsalt1quartofwater1packofsportsdrinkpowder

Afterall,allsportsdrinksdoisputsodiumandsaltsbackintoathletessotheydon’tgetdehydrated.Itisarelativelysimplerecipewithrelativelysimplegoals.Thiscanservemanykids(andadults!)forjustthepriceofapacketofsportspowder($2.00).

SubstituteforbakingpowderIfthereareanybakersinthehouse,youmightknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.Bakingsodaissometimesconfusedwithbakingpowderatthegrocerystore,andit’sacompletelyunderstandablemistake.Luckily,youcanusebakingsodainsteadofbakingpowderforyourbakingrecipes,ifyoujustmixitwithcreamoftartar.Twopartscreamoftartartoonepartbakingsoda.Voila,greatcakeontheway.Youprobablywon’tevenbeabletotellthatanythingisdifferent.

TenderizemeatYoucanactuallytenderizemeatwithbakingsodaifyouhaveanhourtokill!Allyouneedtodoisrubbothsidesofyourpieceofmeatwithbakingsoda,andthenputitbackintothefridgetowait.Makesureyoucoatthemeatliberallywithbakingsoda.Afterabout45minutes,simplyrinsethebakingsodaoff,andenjoyyourautomaticallytenderizedpieceofmeat.Thisworksbecausebakingsodaslowlydenaturestheproteinsinthemeatthatitcomesincontactwith.

CleanburnedpansBakingsodaisreallyawondrouscleaningagent–itiseffectiveandstrong,butsogentlethatyoucanuseitonalmostanysurface,includinganon-stickTeflonfryingpan.Sometimeswe’renotpayingattentionandburnthingsonthestoveinourpan–it’snoone’sfault.Buthowdoyoucleanthatannoyingburntmatteronyourpan?Itmighttakeanextremeamountofscrubbing,butthatmightalsodamageyournon-stickTeflonpan.Asusual,bakingsodacomestotherescue.Boilwaterinthepan,andturnthestoveoff.Then,addabout½cupofbakingsoda,dependingonthesizeofthepan.Letthissolutionsitovernight.Tomorrowmorning,youwillbeabletoinstantlycleantheburntmatterfromyourpanwithoutdamagingit.Voila.

4.Bathroomupkeepwithbakingsoda.Thenextobviousplacewherebakingsodaisincrediblyhelpfulisthebathroom.Likethekitchen,thebathroomishometomanysituationswherethereisdirt,odor,andtheneedforcleaning.Remember,bakingsodawilleliminatetheneedforharshcleanersthatcanpotentiallybeharmfultoyourhealth.

ShowercurtainsYouprobablyneedtoreplaceyourshowercurtainsrightnow.Showercurtainsbuildupbacteriaandagrossresiduerelativelyquickly,butwerarelycleanthembecausetheyarejustapaininthebutt.Evenifyouremovethemfromtheirhangers,theyaren’teasytoscrubbecausetheyaresoflimsy.It’softeneasiertojustreplacethem.Thereisaneasysolutiontothis.Justunhooktheshowercurtainfromtheshowercurtainrod,andletitfallintothebathtub.Thenfillthebathtubupwithwarmwaterandmixin2cupsofbakingsoda.Stirabit,andsoakforafewhours.Rinseitoffwiththeshowerheadandyourshowercurtainwillbeshinyandgoodasnew.Noawkwardscrubbingneeded.

UncloggingdrainsYoucangetaroundtheneedforharshchemicalslikeDranowithbakingsoda.HaveyoueverlookedattheingredientsonacontainerofDrano?Theyareverytoxicandharmful,andDranoworksbyliterallyburningawaythecontentsofadrainclog.ThisiswhyDranoisalsobadforthedrainsthemselves.Sowhenyouwanttogetridofabloginyourdrainfromshavinggelorhair,allyouneedtodoisthefollowing.First,pourboilingwaterdownthedrain,followedimmediatelyby½cupofbakingsoda.Second,combine1cupofvinegarwith1cupofhotwater,andpourthatdrainthedrain.Makesurethatyouputtheplug/stopperintokeepthechemicalreactionattheclog.Third,afterlettingitsitfor10minutes,pouranotherpotofboilingwaterdownthedrain.Thereactionbetweenthevinegarandbakingsodaiswhatclearsthecloginyourdrain.

StainedtoiletIfyouhaveneglectedtocleanyourtoiletandfinditstainedandunpleasanttolookat,bakingsodacanhelpwiththat.Thisisespeciallyeffectiveonhardwaterstains.First,pourabout1cupofvinegarintothetoilet.Makesureittouchesallthesurfacesthatyouwanttoclean,aboveandbelowthewaterline.Second,sprinkleabout1cupofbakingsodaintothetoilet.Again,makesureittouchesallareasthatthevinegartouched.Watchthebubbles,thenscrublightlytoachieveacleantoiletbowl.

GlasscleanerManyoftheusesIhavetaughtyouforbakingsodahaveinvolvedusingittoscrubandgetridofbuildup.Itismildlyabrasive,butgentleenoughsoitwon’tharmsurfacesoryourskin.Thismakesitidealforglassandmirrorsbecausebakingsodaisn’tabrasiveenoughtoscratchthosesurfaces.Tousebakingsodaasacleanerforglass,mirrors,andothersmoothsurfaces,sprinkleatinybitontoawetpapertowelandjustwipethemirrorwithit.Takenote,youmayneedtowipetheglassonemoretimewithadrypapertoweltogetridofexcessbakingsoda,butbakingsodawilleliminatealloilsandmarksgentlyandeffectively.

Bathroomde-odorizingBathroomsarenotoriousforunpleasantsmellsthatareassociatedwithbodilyfunctions.YouknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.Butbeyondthesmellsthatcomefromus,therearesmellsthatexistbecauseabathroomisadampenvironment.Thismakesitveryeasyformildew,mold,fungi,andgeneraluncleanlinesstooccur.Useaboxofbakingsodainthebathroomasyouwoulduseitintherefrigerator.Popitontopofthetoilet,underthetoilet,behindthesink,ornexttotheshower.Justmakesuretocoveritduringashowerandforabout30minutesaftersothebakingsodadoesn’tjustsuckuptheshowermoisture.Eachboxwilllastsomewherefrom1-3months,andwillserveyouwellindestroyingmoistureandodorsinyourbathroom.

Floor,bathtubcleanerThiscaneasilygounderkitchenusageofbakingsodaaswell,butit’smorecommonfortheretobetileinthebathroomfloor.Andofcourse,porcelaintubswillbenefitfromthisaswell.Hereisallyouhavetodo:sprinklebakingsodaontothesurfacethatyouwanttoclean,andthensprayvinegarontoit.Letitfoamandbubbleforabit,andthenwipethesurfacecleanwithouthavingtoscrubatall.Thebestpartisthatsincebakingsodaissolow-impactandnon-toxic,yourfeetcantouchitforhoursandyouwillbeabsolutelyfine.Youcan’tsaythesameaboutanyoftheothercleanersthatyouwouldbuyatthestore!Youwouldn’twanttobetouchingthose.

ToothbrushandcombfreshenerToothbrushesareactuallynotthatclean,usually.Thisishalfbecausetheyareusedformonthsonend,andhalfbecausehumanmouthsarenotoriouslydirtyandbacteria-filled.Soifyousoakyourtoothbrushinasolutionof4ouncesofwaterand½tablespoonofbakingsoda,itwillde-odorizeitandkillanyoftheremainingbacteriafromyourmouth.Soakitfor½hourandenjoythefreshfeelingofanewtoothbrushwithouthavingtobuyone.Ofcourse,youcanalsosoakyourcombsandbrushesinbakingsodawithoutdamagingthemtoremoveexcessresidueandleftoverproducteffortlessly.

UnclogshowerheadShowerheadsoftenclogupbecauseofabuildupofcalciumintheshowerheaditself.Thismeansthathalfofyourshowerheadwon’tbesprayingwater,anditmightmeanthatthepipesleadingtotheshowerheadareclogged.Youmaynotbeabletodomuchwiththepipesunlessyouhireaprofessional,butyoucanfixcalciumbuildupsintheshowerhead.Allyouneedtodoistakeitoffthewallandletitsoakinasolutionof1cupofvinegarand1/3cupofbakingsodaforafewhours.Addtheshowerheadtothevinegarfirst,thenaddthebakingsodaafter.Makesureyoucoverthecontainerasthiswillcauseafoamingchemicalreaction.Youwillseethecalciumslideoffandrestatthebottomofthebucket,andthenexttimeyoushoweryoushouldhaveafullsprayagain.

NaturalgroutcleanerAsintheprioruse,combiningbakingsodawithvinegarisagreatcleanerthateliminatescalciumbuildups.Suchbuildupsarealsoextremelycommoningrout.Socreateapastewith½cupofbakingsodaand3-4tablespoonsofwaterandapplyittothegroutbetweenthetileintheshower.Thensprayvinegarontopofthepaste.Letitsitforatleast30minutes.Thenscrubitlightly,andrinseoffwithwater.Thecalciumshouldhavebeeneliminatedandyourgroutwillbesparklycleanandwhite.

5.Laundrywithbakingsoda.We’veallseencommercialswherethatcutebearclaimsthathisdetergentwillmakeyourclothesamazinglysoftandsnuggly.He’scute,buthisdetergentisharshandfulloftoxicchemicals.Andtoboot,laundrydetergentisoneofthemoreexpensivecleaningagentsthatyoucanbuyforyourhome.Sousingbakingsodainsteadof,orwithyourcurrentdetergentisgreatonmanylevels.Bakingsodaisalsogreatforgettingoutstainsandkeepingyourcolorsbright.

Children’sclothesChildrenhaveverydelicateskin,babiesespecially.Thisleadstothemgettingrashesandirritatedskinrelativelyeasy.Partofthiscanbetracedbacktothelaundrydetergenttheyuse.Ifyouareusingalaundrydetergentwithharshchemicalsandthenputtingthoseclothesontoababy,that’sgoingtobedifficultontheirskin.Allyouneedtodoisadd½acupofbakingsodatothewashcyclealongWITHthedetergent.Thiswillbalanceouttheharshchemicalsofthedetergent,andmakethemmoremildbutstilleffectiveasacleaner.

De-odorizingclothesAsidefromneutralizingmanyoftheharshchemicalsindetergent,ifyousprinklein½acupofbakingsodaintoyourwashcyclewithaparticularlysmellyloadofclothes,bakingsodaisagreatde-odorizerandyourloadwillbefreshsmelling.Youcangetthehoponthisbyevenjustsprinklingsomebakingsodaintoyourlaundrybaskettomakesurethatyourroom,orthelaundryroom,isn’tbeingovertakenbythesmellofsomesweaty,crustyclothing.

De-odorizingshoesShoesstink.Feetsweat,andtheystink.Thesweatseepsintotheshoes,andmakesthemstink.Everythingbelowyouranklesisjustastinkfactory,butthat’ssomethingthatbakingsodacanhelpwith.Afteryoutakeoffyourshoesfortheday,justsprinkleacoupleoftablespoonsofbakingsodaintotheshoesandshakeitaroundalittlebittomakesureitcoatseverythingontheinsideoftheshoe.Letthissitovernight.Then,justdumpthebakingsodaoutbeforeyouwanttowearitnextandyourshoewillbemuchcleanerfeelingandsmelling.Youcanalsodothiswhenyouwanttowearyoursneakersbarefoot.Sprinkle1tablespoonintoeachshoetocutdownonthemoistureandodor.

StainremoverBakingsodacanalsobeusedpriortothelaundrywashcycleasastainremover.Ifyoueatpastaandgetsomeredsauceonyourwhiteshirt,taketheshirtoffimmediatelyandapplyabakingsodaandwatersolution(2tablespoonsofbakingsodaand1tablespoonofwater),letitsitfor5minutes,thenspraythestainwithamixtureofequalpartswaterandvinegar.Letitsoak,thenthrowitintothewashcycleandthestainshouldbegone.

OilremoverBakingsodaisgoodatremovingsubstanceslikeoilandgreasefromobjectsoryourself.Itsoaksoilandgreaseupandmakesiteasytodealwith.Thismeansthatyoucanuseitspecificallytoremovethingslikechapstick,lipstick,andotherkindsofproductsfromyourclothes.Justuseabakingsodaandwatersolutionofequalpartsofeachtoscrublightlyandoil-basedproductsshouldcomeoutofyourclotheseasily.

De-odorizehandwashablesWeallhavedelicatesthatwedo,orshould,washbyhand.Sometimestheyareevensodelicatethatweshouldn’tbeusingsoaponthem,onlywarmwater.Theproblemisthatmostdelicatesareagainstourskin,whichmeansthattheypickupagoodamountofgrease,sweat,andbodyodor.Butifyoucan’tusedetergent…thenyoucanusebakingsodatoremoveallofthose.Simplyadd2tablespoonsofbakingsodatothesinkwhileyouarehand-washingdelicates,andtheodorswillvanishandcolorswillremainbright.

6.Hygieneandbeautyusesforbakingsoda.Sincemostofhealthandbeautytakeplaceinthekitchenandthebathroom,thiscoversbothofthoseaswell!Bakingsodaisanamazingagentforcleaningandde-odorizingthingsandobjects,butitcanalsobeamazingforcleaningyourself.Thespecificpropertiesofbakingsodaalsomeanthatitcanhelpyourhygieneandbeautyproductstoo.

HomemadetoothpasteYoucaneasilyusebakingsodaaloneasatoothpasteandteethwhitener.It’scheaperthananycommercialtubeoftoothpasteandjustassafeifnotsafer.Youcansimplysprinklesomebakingsodaontoyourtoothbrush,runitunderthefaucettogetitwet,andthenstartusingitnormally.Or,youcanputapinchofbakingsodaintoasmallbowlofwaterandcombinebeforeputtingthetoothbrushinyourmouth.Youdon’thavetoworryaboutbadbreathbecausebakingsodaisgreatwithneutralizingodors.Manypeoplehavemadeafussaboutbakingsodabeingtooabrasivebyitselfforregularusageonteeth–butstudieshaveshownthatbakingsodaalone,usedproperly,isactuallylessabrasivethanallcommercialtoothpastes.However,it’sworthbeingcarefulifyouhaveweakenamelorsensitiveteethandgums.

Soakdentures,retainers,mouthguardsDenture,retainers,andmouthguardsalldevelopdistinctodorsasaresultofthebacteriainyourmouthovertime.Thisisextremelyunpleasant,andevenahardbrushingcan’talwaysgetridofthem.Noonewantstowearastinkymouthguard,sosoakingalloftheaboveinabakingsodasolutionwillgetridoftheodorandloosenanybuildupofplaqueorgunkonthem.Juststartwithabowlof8ouncesofwarmwater,andput1-2tablespoonsofbakingsodaintoitandmixit.Dropyourmouthguardin,andletitsoakforanhourorso.Whenyoutakeitout,yourmouthguardwillbeshinyandsmelllikenew.

BakingsodadeodorantIfyou’researchingforacheap,odorlesswayofpreventingperspirationandodorsfromyourarmpits,looknofurtherthanbakingsoda.Allyouneedtodoisjustdustyourarmpitswithbakingsodaandyouwillbedryandodorlessalldaylong.Justmakesuretogetridofanyleftoverbakingsodasoitdoesn’tlooklikeresiduefromacommercialdeodorant.

MouthwashandbadbreathkillerSometimesyourunoutofmouthwash,orjustwantsomethingodorlesstofreshenupyourbreathwith.Allyouneedtodoisrinseandgarglewithacupofwarmwaterand1tablespoonofbakingsoda.Makesureyougargleinyourthroatandthissolutionwillsuccessfullykillthevastmajorityofthebacteriainyourmouth.

De-productyourhairIfyouusehairproductsatall,youknowthattheyareoftenhardtocleanandfullygetoutofyourhair,evenwhenyouuseshampoo.Andovershampooingandwashingjustleadstoyourhairandscalpdryingout,whichleadstodandruff…whichleadstomoreproduct.It’sanegativecycle.Afteryousqueezeyourshampooontoyourpalm,sprinkleabitofbakingsodaintoitandwashandrinseyourhairasusual.Thebakingsodawillworktobindtoandremoveanyleftoverresidueoftheproductyouhaveused,andcleanyourhairandscalpwithoutdryingitout.Bakingsodaisgreatatremovingresidueandgrease.

ExfoliantscrubandhandsoapInsteadofbuyingexpensivescrubsthatarefilledwithchemicalsandmicrobeadsthatareharmfultotheenvironmentandwillclogyourdrainseventually,youcanusebakingsodaasascrub.Rememberthatbakingsodaisaslightabrasive.Justmakeabakingsodapastefrom½cupofbakingsodaand¼cupofwater,andmakesuretoerronthesideofmorebakingsodasoitismoresolid.Scrubyourfaceandbodywithitandwillshedskinandbecomeradiantafter.

BakingsodabathsInsteadofabubblebath,whichispronetodryyououtifyoustayinitforanextendedperiodoftime,justsoakinbakingsoda.Runabathandfillthetubtothelevelyouwouldlike,andthenadd2cupsofbakingsoda.Thiswillwashawaydirt,perspirationfromyourbody,andisrelaxingandwillleaveyourskinfeelingmoisturizedandcleanafterwards.Feelfreetoaddessentialoils,potpourri,oratinybitofbubblebathifyouwantanaromaandadditionalsenseofpleasure.Thisisaprocessthatcanleaveyourtubcleanaswellifyouspraythetubwithvinegarafterdrainingitabit.

DryshampooBythetimewehit5:00pmsomedays,ourheadandhairaregreasyandoilyfromtherigorsofdailylife.Whatdoyoudoifyoudon’thavetimetotakeacompleteshower?Willyoubestuckwithaheadfullofgrease?Bakingsodacanactasadryshampoobecauseitabsorbsoilanddirteasily.Allyouneedtodoissprinkleacoupleoftablespoonsofbakingsodaintoyourhair,massageitthroughyourhairandscalpinparticular,andthendustyourheadoff.Giveafinallookinthemirrorbeforeheadingouttomakesurethatyoudon’thavewhitepowderinyourhair,andenjoyyourshower-freecleanliness.

SorethroatgargleSometimeswhenyoudevelopalumpinyourthroat,youjustknowthatyouwillbesicksoon.It’sahugeredflag.Itmakesithardtoswallow,andisprobablypainfulduringyourwakinghours.Ifyoucombine1tablespoonofbakingsodaand1tablespoonofsalt(kosher,preferably)intoaglassof8ouncesofwarmwater,youcanusethissolutiontogarglewith.Itwillhelpdisinfectyourmouthandthroat,whichwillmakeyoursicknessmilderandquickertogetover.Itwillalsoreducetheswellingandinflammation,whichwillmakeswallowingeasierandlesspainful.

7.Personalcareandhealthuseswithbakingsoda.Bakingsodahasmanypersonalcareandhealth-relatedusesaswell.Thebestpartaboutbakingsodaisthatitisharmlesstoyou.Youcanlikelyneverusetoomuchbakingsodaonyourself,butitstillhasamazinglycleaning,relief,anddisinfectingpropertiesforcommonailmentsthatyoumightencounter.

BakingsodaantacidIfyouarepronetoheartburn,youshouldtakecaretohaveaboxofbakingsodainyourhomeatalltimes.ThiscanserveyoujustaswellasTUMS,aheartburnmedicine.Allyouneedtodoisadd1tablespoonofbakingsodato1glassofwateranddrinkit.Bakingsodaisaneutralizer,soitwillacttoreducetheacidrefluxyouhavefromyourstomach,eliminateheartburn,andhelpthecoreproblemofindigestioninyourstomach.Becarefulwheningestingbakingsodaasitcanalterthechemicalcompositionofyourstomachifyouhaveheart,stomach,orkidneyissues.

EliminatediaperrashDiaperrashappearsonyourbaby’sskinasaresultofbeingincontactwithawetdiaperfortoolong.Therashdoesn’tlastthatlong,butisdefinitelyuncomfortableandverypreventablewithbakingsoda.Allyouneedtodoissprinklesomebakingsodaintothediaperwhenyouputitonyourchild.Payattentiontowheremoisturewillbuildupnaturallyfromsweat,andfromwhentheyhaveanaccident–thesearetheareasthatitismoreimportanttohavebakingsodaaround.Thissoaksupthemoistureandpreventsdiaperrashfromforminginthefirstplace.Step1toahappierbaby.

BugbitereliefBugbitesareoneofthemostannoyingthingsintheworld,andthemostannoyingthingaboutthemisthatyoushouldn’tscratchthem.Bakingsodacanhelphere.Allyouneedtodoismakeabakingsodapasteof½cupofbakingsodaand¼cupofwaterapplyittotheitchybite.Keepthepasteonthebiteforatleast15minutes,andwashitoffafter.Theitchinessshouldbegreatlydecreasedbecausethebakingsodahasneutralizedmanyoftheacidsinthebugbite.Repeatasoftenasyouneed–thisbakingsodapasteisharmlessandcanbeappliedasmuchasyouwant.

NasalirrigationNasalirrigationiswhenyouuseanetipotorsimilartypeofcontainertopourwaterintoonenostril,throughyoursinus,andouttheothernostril.Itisextremelyeffectivefordealingwithallergies,sickness,andcongestion.Ifyouhaveanetipot,youcan’tjustusewaterbyitself.Itstingsthenostrilstoomuchandmakesnasalirrigationaveryunpleasantexperience.Whatyoucandoiscombine1teaspoonofbakingsodawith1teaspoonofkoshersalt,andmixthatwith5ouncesofwarmwaterinyournetipot.Youwillgetasolutionthatisafractionofthecostofstore-soldsolutionsthatisharmlessandcleansing.

CankersorecureCankersoresaresopainfulbecausetheyareconstantlyirritatedandtakeawhiletoheal.Bakingsodacanhelpcutdownonthepainassociatedwithacankersoreandspeedupthehealingprocess.Justmakethat½cupofbakingsodaand¼cupofwatersolutionthatyou’vemademanytimesbeforeapplyittothecankersore.Letitsitfor10minutes,thenrinseitoffgently.Itwillrelievethepainandthesorewilldisappearinamatterof1-2days.

BurnreliefBurnsareextremelypainfultohealfromandcantakemanymedicinesandproductstoproperlyhealwithoutscarring.Oneofthebestwaystoalleviatethepainfromaburnistospreadabakingsodapasteoveritofequalpartsbakingsodaandwater,andletitsitforaslongasyoucan.Thebakingsodapasteisverysoothingandcooling,andwilldullthepainafteryouwashitofftheburnareaaswell.Dothisafewtimesadayforburnpainrelief.

Athlete’sfootcureAthlete’sfootisaconditionwherethereisliterallyafungusgrowingonyourfeetandtoesasaresultoflackofairandventilationinyourshoes.Bakingsodaiswellknownforitsanti-fungalproperties,andI’vealreadytaughtyoualittlebitabouthowbakingsodaisaneutralizerandwillalterthepHofyourskin.Putthosetogetherandbakingsodacangreatlyhelpcureathlete’sfoot.Justsoakyourfeetinabakingsodasolution–roughly2cupsofbakingsodatoabucketofcoldwatertosoakyourfeetin.Soakyourfeetfor20minutesatatimeanddothistwiceadaytogetridofyourathlete’sfootnaturallyandquickly–withoutanytoxicanti-fungalsprays.

8.Aroundthehousewithbakingsoda.Bakingsodashouldn’tjustbecontainedtothekitchenandbathroom!Bakingsodahassomanyusesinthehouseholdthatitwouldn’tbeabadideatostartkeepingaboxineveryroom,bedroomsincluded.Belowaresomeofthecommonusesforbakingsodaaroundthehouse,manyofwhichIpromiseyouhaven’teventhoughtaboutbefore.

KittylitterfreshenerKittylitterisnotoriousforstinking.Afterall,it’swhereyourfelinebuddyrelieveshimselforherself,soit’stobeexpected.Insteadofsearchingforaplacetohidethelitterboxorjustdealingwithastinkycorner,bakingsodacanhelpde-odorizetheboxandfreshenitup.Justsprinkleahealthyamountofbakingsodaintothelitterbox,andevenaroundtheboxonthefloortoabsorbtheodorofthekittylitter.It’ssimple,easy,cheap,andmakeslifewithyourcatmuchmorepleasurable.Yourfelinefriendmightbeconfusedatfirst,buttheywilladaptquickly.

Carpet,mattress,andfurniturefreshenerBakingsodahaswonderfulde-odorizingproperties.Ifyoujustleavebakingsodainthepresenceofsomethingstinky,thenitwillabsorbtheodorinnotimeatall.Carpets,mattresses,andfurnitureareallthingsthatdevelopodorovertime.Itcanbeahugeprocesstothoroughlycleanthose,andyoumighthavetoevenrentmachinestodoit.Notcheaporeasy.Here’satip–sprinklebakingsodaoveryourcarpets,mattresses,andfurnituretofreshenuptheirscentandremoveanyodors.Rubandmassagethebakingsodain.Leavethebakingsodainovernight(atleast),thenvacuumuptheremainder.What’sleftisafreshandcleansmellingcouchorcarpet.Justmakesurethatyouvacuumupallthebakingsoda.P.S.Youcanalsosprinklebakingsodaintopursesthathaven’tbeenusedinawhiletogetridoftheirmustyodors.

StuffedanimalfreshenerLet’sfaceit,youlove‘em,butyourkidscanbestinkmonsters.Butusingthesameprocessasabove–sprinklingandvacuuming–youcanfreshenupyourchild’sstuffedanimalsandplushtoysovernight.Nomoresmellofspit,saliva,orregurgitatedpasta.Youcandothismoreeasilybyputtingstuffedanimalsorotherobjectsintoaplasticbag,puttingbakingsodaintothebag,andsealingthebagovernightandshakingitabit.

DryshampooforodorouspetsItcanbeastruggletogetyourpetintoashowerorbath.Bakingsodamakesfresheningupyourpet’sscentincrediblyeasy.Justtreatthebakingsodaasdryshampoo.Sprinkleitalloveryourpet,andmassageitthroughhisfurandmakesureyouworkitintohisskin,whichiswheretheoilcomesfrom.Leaveitonyourpetforaslongashecanstandit,or1hour,andthenbrushyourpetvigorouslytogetridoftheexcesswhitebakingsodapowder.Saygoodbyetoperpetualwetdogsmell.

Ashtrayde-odorizerIfyousmokeindoors,youprobablyuseanashtray.Ashtrayscanbuildupincrediblystrongsmellsaftertime,andthisisn’talwayspleasanttobenearevenifyouareanavidsmoker.Weknowthatbakingsodaisawonderfulde-odorizer,sotoneutralizesomeofthesmellofthatashtray,justsprinklesomebakingsodaintoitbefore,during,andafteryouuseit.Itwillsuckupthesmellofsmokeinnotimeatallandcontroltheodorsinyourhome.

CleanfloorsandwallsTocleanyourfloorsandwalls,simplymakeabakingsodapaste,withequalpartsbakingsodaandwarmwater.Usethattoscrubyourhardwoodfloorsandwallswithoutanyfearofanytoxicchemicalserodingthem.Thisisespeciallyimportantwhencleaningpaintedwalls,becausesomecleanersmaystripthepaintfromyourwalls!Bakingsodais100%harmlessyeteffective,soyoudon’thavetoworryaboutthesafetyofanypaint.

FireextinguisherObviously,thisusemustcomewithadisclaimer.Ifyou’reworriedaboutfires,youreallyshouldobtainafireextinguisherforyourkitchenorgarage.Infact,itisagoodruleofthumbtohave1perhousehold,andcheckregularlytomakesurethattheyhaven’texpired.Thatsaid,bakingsodacanworkinapinchtoputoutsmallfires,especiallythoseinthekitchen!Ifyou’vegotafire,simplydumpbakingsodaoverit,coveringthewholefire.ThiswillNOTincreasethefire,assugarorotherpowderswill.Thereasonthisworksisthatbakingsodaproducescarbondioxidewhenexposedtoheat,andcarbondioxidedisplacestheoxygenthatthefirerequirestoburn.Butagain,youshouldhaveafireextinguisheronhand.Youshouldbeawarethatputtingwateronmanytypesoffires(likeoilfires)canactuallymakethemworse,sobakingsodacanbeusedinsteadofwatersometimes.

HomemadepettoothpasteIfyouhaveapet,you’llknowthattheygetsomeseriouskibblebreathsometimes.Thisjustgetsworsewhenyoudon’tbrushtheirteethonaregularbasis–butsomepetsabsolutelyhateit,soit’sdifficulttopolice.Abigpartofthatistheodorandflavorofmanypettoothpastes.Bakingsodacansubstituteinapinchforagreattoothpasteasitisabrasiveyetgentle–anditisodorless!Yourpetwillbarelyknowwhat’sgoingonbecauseitissogentleandit’sharmless–theycanevenswallowitiftheywant,withouthavingtorinse!Justdipyourpet’stoothbrushintosomebakingsoda,wetit,andgototown.Youjusthavetogetthemtositstillfortheirbrushingsession,andthat’snosmallfeat.

9.Bakingsodaoutdoors.Bakingsodaisversatileandroughenoughtobeeffectiveforoutdoorusesaswell.Don’tthinkthatjustbecausebakingsodaisgentlethatitwon’tbestrongenoughforthebig,badoutdoors.Herearesomereallyusefulandhelpfulusesforbakingsodaoutsideofthehouse.

CarseatfreshenerJustlikewithbefore,itisfullypossibletousebakingsodatocompletelyde-odorizeyourcar.Allyouneedtodoissprinklebakingsodaontotheseatsandfloorofyourcargenerously.Leaveitovernight,thenvacuumuptheexcessbakingsodathenextday.Yourcarwillbefreshasthedayyouboughtit,minustheleathersmell.Thisworksgreattoabsorbandcleanupanyoilorgreasespillsinsidethecaraswell.

CarairfreshenerMostairfreshenersthathanginourcarssmellincrediblyartificial.Theydon’teveneliminateanyodorsthatareinthecar,andjustmaskthemwithastrongpinescent.Insteadofhangingalittlegreentreefromyourrearviewwindow,trypouringsomebakingsodaoutintoadeepcup,andleavingthatinyourdrinkholder.Thiswillde-odorizeyourcar,andshouldbegoodforaboutamonthbeforechangingit.Youcaneventapeapieceofpaperoverthetopofthecupandjustpokesomeholesinittomakesurethatthebakingpowderdoesn’tspill.It’sthecarequivalentofwhatyoudowiththeboxofbakingsodainyourrefrigerator.

SpacklesubstituteSpackleisasubstanceusedtofillinholesandsmalldentsinwhitecoloredwalls.Itspurposeisjusttomakeitappearaestheticallyasifnothinghadhappened.Unfortunately,wedon’talwayshavespackleonhand,eventhoughitmightjusttakeatinybittomakesomethinglookmuchbetter.Justmakeathickbakingsodapaste–muchthickerthananyyou’veusedbeforefromthisbook,1cupofbakingsodato¼cupofwater.Useabroadsurfacelikeaflatmetalspatulatofillintheholesandthedents,andjustletitdry!Ifyou’refeelingcreativeandbrave,youcanmixfoodcoloringintothistoattempttofillinholesanddentsindifferentlycoloredwalls.

Anti-fungicideforplantsIfyoumakea½cupofbakingsodaand1cupofwatersolutionandsprayitoveryourplants,itwillmakethemmoreresistanttofungus.Thiscombinesthegentlenatureofbakingsodawithitsanti-fungalproperties.Thishastheaddedbenefitofprotectingyourplantsfrominsects,becauseascoveredbefore,insectswilldiewhentheyingestbakingsoda.

ImprovepottingsoilBakingsodaisnaturallyneutralandanalkaline.Thismeansthatitcanlowertheaciditylevelofsoil,andthisisgreatforplantsbecausehighlevelsofacidarebadforthem.Thismeansthatyoucanpoura1tablespoonbakingsodaand8ouncesofwatersolutiondirectlyintothesoilofplantstobalancethepHlevelofthesoilanditwillimprovethehealthofyourhouseplants.Youhavetomakesuretodothisverysparinglythough,becausesoilthatistoobasicisalsonothealthy.YoucandeterminethepHofyoursoileasilywithkitsfromgardenstores.De-greaserBakingsodaisanexcellentde-greaser,asyoualreadyknowfromhowbakingsodacanbeusefulinthekitchen.Butthereisgreaseoutsideofthekitchentoo.Forexample,ifyouhaveacarormotorcycle.Thesethingsleakgreaseandoilconstantly,andsometimesyouhavetocleanituporpreventabuildupelsewhere.Youcansimplymakea½cupofbakingsodaand½cupofwaterpasteandspreadthatontothepileofgreaseoroil.Itwillhelpabsorbitsome,andmakeitmucheasiertograbandcleanupfromthecarorgaragefloor.

SeptictankIfyouadd1cupofbakingsodatoyourseptictankaweek,itwillhelpmaintainabalancedpHlevel,whichhelpsitflowbetterandpreventscorrosionofthetankandassociatedpipes.

De-icingpathsWhenwinterrollsaround,oftentheoutdoorpathsweusearoundourhomesareslipperyanddangerousbecauseofice.Bakingsodacanservethesamepurposeasrocksaltorkittylitter–itwillprovidetractionoverdangerousicyspotsandactuallymelttheice.Sprinkleitliberallyovertheicyparts,ideallybeforeyouhavetousethem.Itdoesn’tmelticequiteaswellasrocksalt,butitcanworkinapinchtomakeyourdayssafer.

ConclusionIhopeI’veshownyoumanywonderfulwaysthatbakingsodacanhelpyourunyourhomecheaplyandnaturally.Ihavenodoubtthatyouwillsavelotsofmoneyontoxicsubstanceslikecleanersthatyou’llneverneedagain.Humansdidn’tneedWindexuntilabout50yearsago–wecanfunctionamazinglywithnaturalcuresandhomemaderemediesthatinvolvebakingsoda.Ihopethatyouhavefoundsomevalueinthisbook,andseereasontostashafewboxesofbakingsodainyourhomefromnowon.Iwishyouthebest,Patty