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The chances are high good that you’ve a field of baking soda stashed away on a shelf or cabinet proper now (and if not, then it’s only a quick stroll or drive away).
But baking soda, additionally referred to as sodium bicarbonate, packs rather more of a punch than you would possibly infer from its frequent use as a leavening agent in baking. In truth, this superb powder can inexpensively change a variety of dear merchandise containing dangerous chemical compounds that many people generally use at house.
One essential space of your life on which baking soda can have a dramatic affect is private care, as a result of it’s each cost-effective and easy.
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Deodorant
You can remodel baking soda into an underarm deodorant by making use of it with a powder puff. Pour half a cup right into a reusable glass container combined with half a cup of cornstarch to keep away from irritation.
Thank Your Body has some further baking soda-based deodorant recipes, like this cream deodorant with coconut oil and necessities oils and this stick deodorant that additionally contains beeswax.
Toothpaste
You also can make your personal toothpaste. The simplest recipe is to combine one teaspoon of baking soda with one-quarter teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide. Peppermint essential oil is an non-compulsory, however refreshing, addition. You can put this combination immediately onto your toothbrush. Other popular recipes use calcium carbonate, baking soda, xylitol, aloe vera gel, and spearmint essential oil.
Mouthwash
Save cash on mouthwash by gargling one cup of water combined with one-half teaspoon baking soda. This may even assist relieve canker sore ache. This mouthwash recipe from The HomeMade Experiment provides tea tree and spearmint important oils. The tea tree oil’s antibacterial properties assist the baking soda struggle dangerous breath. The spearmint oil helps masks tea tree’s sturdy scent and provides a refreshing minty taste.
Itch Soother
If you don’t have calamine lotion or aloe useful, combine some baking soda with water to make a paste. Smear the paste on insect bites, rashes, poison ivy irritations, and sunburn for minor ache and itch aid. A thick layer of the paste will help scale back ache, itching, and swelling of bee stings.
Cockroach and Ant Repellent
Put baking soda below sinks and alongside basement home windows to repel cockroaches and ants. Or, combine with an equal quantity of sugar to kill roaches and ants in your home with out jeopardizing youngsters or pets with toxic chemical compounds.
Odor Buster
Another certainly one of baking soda’s specialties is as a basic odor absorber. Put an open container of baking soda within the fridge to soak up the odors (however be certain to not use this baking soda in your recipes!).
Also, sprinkle some in your footwear and socks to counteract smelly ft. It’s even highly effective sufficient to be used in your cat’s litter box to soak up the scent, or to be used on a canine or cat brush to assist deodorize fur.
Fragrance Enhancer
Extend the pure perfume flowers in your house by including a teaspoon of baking soda to the water in a flower vase, which is able to help keep cut flowers fresh longer.
The Other Mister Cleaner
Baking soda can be very efficient as a protected, unhazardous house cleansing agent with makes use of within the kitchen, rest room, and anyplace you would possibly vacuum.
Don’t waste cash and sources on produce wash when you may combine baking soda with water and clear fruit and veggies for much less. Scrub sinks and counter tops with baking soda and water answer. Run it by your coffeemaker and rinse. You also can add a spoonful to your dishwasher to assist take away grease from dishes, pots, and pans.
To clear your rest room, add a cup of baking soda, depart for an hour, and flush. Scrub the sink, bathe, and tub with baking soda and water answer, or spray it onto the mirror and wipe off.
To clear and neutralize odor, gently brush some baking soda over carpet or upholstered furnishings material and depart for an hour, then vacuum.
Editor’s notice: Originally printed on July 26, 2010, this text was up to date in November 2024.
