The Wonderful World of Sodium Bicarbonate

Baking soda is an AMAZING substance. I know I have said this before, but I need to reiterate the true admiration I feel for it. Many do not understand my romance with baking soda, so I've composed a short list of all the things for which I have used it (so far!).

1. BAKING. Self-explanatory.

2. CLEANING
-Drain cleaner. Sprinkle a little down the drain & pour vinegar over it. Wash down with hot water.
-Counter cleaner. Sprinkle a little on a damp sponge or rag & wipe down your kitchen counter.
-Cleansing spray. Mix a little baking soda with a water & vinegar solution. Spray counters, toilets, windows, etc.
-Clean pots and pans. If food clings to pans after baking or cooking, sprinkle a little baking soda over the damp pan. Let sit overnight & scrub clean in the morning!
-Laundry boost. Soak clothes in a tub of hot water with at least 1/4 cup baking soda.
-Powder for the dishwasher. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup Kosher salt, 1/4 cup borax. Use 1 TBL per load of dishes.
-Sink and tub cleaner. If you have tough scum or rings around the bathtub or sink, wipe area with a damp washcloth then sprinkle a little baking soda. You may need to repeat a few times to scrub away all the scum, but it is much more effective than store-bought chemical spray.
-Deodorizer. In the car: Sprinkle dry baking soda on the seats & mats, let sit for a few minutes, then vacuum away. In the fridge: keep an open box in the fridge & change every 30 days to keep the fridge fresh. In the basement, barn, shed, or garage: Sprinkle dry baking soda on areas prone to dampness or mildew, let sit for a day or so, and gently sweep away. Blow a fan on the area to dry it out & keep away other odors. In the home: Keep a bowl of baking soda in any room needing deodorizing. Add a drop or two of essential oil & mix well. Change every month or so.

3. PERSONAL CARE
-Foot bath. Add baking soda to a pan of warm water & soak feet to relieve tiredness, dry skin, and discomfort.
-Dental hygiene. Sprinkle a VERY little amount of baking soda over your toothbrush to add a little boost to your normal dental routine. Helps whiten teeth & discourage tartar buildup. It's salty, so follow up with your normal toothpaste.
-Hair rinse. Put a few tablespoons of baking soda in a water bottle & fill it up with warm water. Close the top & shake well. During bath time, pour over head & massage into scalp in place of shampoo. Helps control natural oils without the nasty chemicals or processing of commercial shampoo.
-Soothing bath. Add baking soda to bathwater to soothe an achy body or irritated skin.
-Hand soap. Grate multiple bars of soap into a large enamel pot. Cover soap with cold water & let simmer on low heat until all soap has dissolved. Add a cup of baking soda to the solution & stir on low heat until creamy & thick. Cool slightly, then pour into glass containers. The baking soda boosts cleaning power and works especially well for removing oil, pine sap, and paint from hard working hands. I add a few drops of fragrance to my hand soap, but the plain scent isn't bad either!
-Facial scrub. In place of normal face wash or face soap, sprinkle a little baking soda into a damp hand and massage over face and neck. Don't rub too hard as it may irritate skin. Rinse with cool water & follow with moisturizer.