20 WAYS TO USE BAKING SODA ~ SOME MIGHT SURPRISE YOU

I have been using baking soda for things other than cooking for about a year.  Well, actually more than a year if you count scrubbing my enamel dutch ovens with it. 

Last spring I started breaking out with an allergic rash.  No matter what I tried it was not really calming down or getting better.  Heck, I did not even know you could have a rash due to pollen.  I did know I would break out due to various lotions, shampoos or even laundry detergent.  BUT, not just from seasonal allergies.

  

In my research, I found that baking soda was actually good for all kinds of things.  Of course, the main thing I was worried about at that moment was to get rid of the itchy burning sensation my skin was dealing with.  Wow and I seriously mean WOW, baking soda is awesome.  All I did was put some baking soda in a small bowl with some warm water and use a washcloth to apply it on my skin and within seconds I found relief.  Within an hour the rash was actually drying up.  I am not saying it went away in a day but I am saying that it did get better rather quickly.  Now I use baking soda anytime I have any type of skin reaction.  Baking soda actually helps improve and balance the pH in your body so that explains why and how it would help.   

Baking soda is surprisingly useful for all kinds of things not just for your body.  

20 WAYS TO USE BAKING SODA

1. SUNBURN RELIEF - Sun burnt skin will benefit with a nice soak in warm water and baking soda.  
2. HAND SOFTENER - mix with warm water and apply to your hands.  It's a natural cleanser and it leaves your hands softer.
3. ANTIBACTERIAL - Baking soda helps kill various bacteria.  Including the bacteria that is known to causes tooth decay, Streptococcus mutans. 
4. ANTI-FUGAL - It is great to soak your feet because it not only gets rid of bacteria it helps keep fungus from growing on your toenails and feet. No more stinky feet!
5. DEODORIZES - Since it helps alleviate bacteria and has anti-fungal qualities it leaves your body refreshed. 
6. HEARTBURN RELIEF - Being that it naturally improves your pH level it helps with heartburn.  Heartburn is caused by eating acidic foods that upset your stomach. Drinking a glass of water with baking soda helps restore the pH which neutralizes the acids.
7. FACE EXFOLIATOR -  Combine one teaspoon with 1/2 cup warm water and rub it into your skin using a circulator motion it will help remove the dry skin and leaves your face feeling refreshed and refined. Cheap facial at home.
8. HAIR CLEANER - Add a teaspoon into your shampoo and it will clarify and clean the oils and dirt away as you rinse.  It also helps reduce and eliminate build up.
9. TEETH WHITENER - One teaspoon mixed with water to create a paste helps naturally clean and polish your teeth.  Do this once a week and you will see your teeth getting brighter without harsh chemicals. 
10. ACHE AND PAIN RELIEVER -  1/2 cup of baking soda in your warm bath helps neutralizes lactic acid build up which reduces muscle aches and pains. No more aches and pains when you have worked hard!
11. KITCHEN SCRUB - Apply some to a sponge and scrub your countertops.  It is better than ajax due to not using chemicals.  It is a great way to scrub your sinks.
12. POT SCRUBBER -  Pour a small amount into your dirty pot and scrub with a sponge and it will clean the pot right up.  I use it all the time on my enamel pots and pans.
13. VEGGIE AND FRUIT SCRUB - Make a paste and rub your veggies and fruit and it will help take off the wax and any bacteria.
14. DRAIN CLEANER - Mix vinegar and baking soda and pour down your drains.  Let it sit for 15 minutes and rinse.  It is a much cheaper way of cleaning your drains and no harsh chemicals used either.  Think about our environment.
15. KITTY LITTER DEODORIZER - Sprinkle some in your litter box to kill bacteria and leave it smelling fresher.
16. CARPET CLEANER - Sprinkle some on your carpet and allow to sit for 20 minutes and vacuum right up.  It should help lift dirt and fresh up the carpet. Remember it kills bacteria.  
17. OVEN CLEANER - Pour some on a wet rag or sponge and it helps to wipe up the dirt, grime, and oils from your oven.
18. FIRE EXTINGUISHER - If you have a small fire in a pan toss some in the pan and it will extinguish the fire.  Note: small minor fire.
19. LAUNDRY - Baking soda in your wash water will help to kill bacteria, lift stains and soften your clothes. Again no harsh chemicals in our clothes that will touch our skin or rinse down the drain. 
20. RASHES -  make a paste and rub into your skin.  Helps to reduce the itch and dries out rash caused by anything.  Bug bites, poison oak/ivy, and allergic reactions.

There are tons more ways to use baking soda.  I just named some that I have tried in the last few years.  If you think about baking soda, I mean really think about it.  It is abrasive so of course, it would be a good scrubbing agent.  It is antibacterial and anti-fungal so common sense would tell you that it would be a good deodorizing cleaner.  With the fact it can help break down lactic acid and restore pH makes it great for your body.  Sounds like a win win to me.  

Happy Thursday Peeps.

ENJOY!!