Baking soda is one of the most common household products found anywhere in the world. While most people know of one or two uses for this wonderful item, they may not know that this simple product actually has dozens of uses. What’s even more amazing is that baking soda is so accessible and inexpensive, making it a great item to keep on hand. From curing heartburn to putting out small fires, there are many reasons to keep baking soda on hand.
Keeps flowers always fresh.
Believe it or not, baking soda can actually help your favorite flowers last longer. How many times have you been given a wonderful bouquet of flowers, only to have them inevitably grow old and lonely over time?
So solve this problem by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to a vase filled with water. You can also add ice cubes to make it even more effective.
Use it to whiten your teeth.
This may not come as a surprise to most people, but it is still worth a reminder. If there is one affordable item that you should use if you want to whiten your teeth, it is baking soda.
Baking soda helps remove plaque buildup and surface stains that appear on your teeth over time. Simply brush your teeth with toothpaste and then brush them with baking soda.
It can be used as a dry shampoo.
You’ve probably heard the hype about dry shampoo. It’s simple, keeps your hair clean on the go, and helps you feel as neat as possible on busy days.
But did you know that instead of buying from expensive brands, you can use baking soda? Simply sprinkle baking soda on your hair and rub it in gently. This will easily remove excess oil from your scalp.
Deep Cleaning of Vegetables and Fruits
If you want to properly remove pesticides and other chemicals from your food, baking soda is the way to go. In fact, studies have shown that baking soda is one of the most effective ways to properly clean produce.
To do this, simply add a spoonful of baking soda to water and let the produce sit for 15 minutes. Then rinse well, wipe off the water, and you’re done.
Cleaning trash cans
Trash cans can become smelly over time, especially if they are cleaned infrequently. Therefore, baking soda can be applied to the trash can to absorb these odors.
Just sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the bottom of the bin to freshen up not only the bin, but the entire kitchen.
If you have heartburn, treat it with baking soda!
Heartburn can often be very uncomfortable, especially if it is a recurring symptom. Since baking soda is a natural antacid, it can neutralize stomach acid and provide immediate relief from heartburn.
Simply dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink slowly. Hopefully the heartburn will not linger.
Clean the battery.
Now here’s another amazing use for baking soda. If you own a car, you know that too much dirt buildup in the engine can shorten the life of your car battery.
To avoid this, make a paste of a liquid mixture of water and baking soda and clean the dirt from the battery. Then remove the battery and scrub it with a regular toothbrush.
Say goodbye to foot odor.
Baking soda has antibacterial properties that can eliminate foot odor. Simply fill a bucket with water containing baking soda and soak your feet to remove the odor.
For shoes, you can sprinkle baking soda on them and let them absorb it overnight. Then you should never have to worry about shoe odor again.
Relieve the pain of insect bites.
Insect bites can be a complete pain in the neck. If you do get bitten, don’t worry if you don’t have insecticide at home. You can easily relieve the pain caused by insect bites by using a paste of baking soda and water. Simply apply some of the paste to the affected area and let it dry.
This mixture should help draw out the liquid and relieve irritation and itching.
Caring for Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor patio furniture will not only continue to get dirty, but it will also show excessive wear and tear. You can remedy this by wiping down all of your sets with some baking soda and water, which will help them stay clean, especially during the hot summer months.
When storing your furniture in the winter, you can keep everything fresh by placing baking soda in a different part of your storage room.
Removing coffee stains
Coffee stains can take the fun out of drinking coffee. Therefore, have baking soda ready to clean coffee cups of stains. Simply sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the cup and let it soak for a few minutes.
Then dip a cloth in some cold water and scrub the entire inside of the mug.
Take care of the refrigerator odor
Refrigerator odors are an inevitable part of owning a refrigerator. No amount of cleaning can completely eliminate recurring odors.
However, baking soda can help neutralize this unpleasant refrigerator odor. Simply cut a small hole in a box of baking soda and place it in the refrigerator.
Relieve mouth ulcers.
Mouth ulcers are common for many people, especially in the winter months. Mouth ulcers can be painful and uncomfortable, and baking soda can be used as a natural remedy.
Applying a small amount of baking soda directly to the sore will neutralize the acid in the mouth and should work quickly. Remember to rinse it off afterwards.
Ease razor burn.
Razor burns don’t always hurt, but they are really uncomfortable for the skin. Sometimes, you just want to shave without having to worry about skin irritation.
To alleviate this, mix a small amount of baking soda into a mixture and dab it slowly and gently on the skin with a cotton ball. In these cases, baking soda can be applied to the cotton ball and slowly applied to the skin to reduce irritation and redness.
Cleaning stuffed animals
Stuffed animals are some of the cutest things in the world, but they can easily collect dust. Simply fill a plastic bag with baking soda and place the stuffed animal inside to keep it sanitary.
Then, if you shake them carefully, the baking soda will suck out the dirt and dust one by one. Then vacuum, and you’re done.
Get rid of the weeds
You can get rid of weeds by simply sprinkling baking soda in the cracks of your garden’s sidewalks, driveways and flower beds. If you’re worried that it might be toxic, don’t be.
Not only is baking soda biodegradable, but it’s also non-toxic, making it quite environmentally friendly and a perfect choice if you want to use something more natural. The roots of the weed should be squeezed out within a few days.
Cleaning the shower curtain
Over time, shower curtains can become stained, dirty and very unsightly (especially if they’re light in color). However, instead of simply replacing it with another one, you can clean it thoroughly with baking soda.
To do this, simply scrub some baking soda with the help of a damp brush. You should see immediate results.
Put out small cooking fires.
Do this. With baking soda, you can put out small fires in your kitchen. But remember, this may only work on small cooking fires, which often come with oil or lots of grease.
In this case, the baking soda in your hand should immediately add carbon dioxide to the flames and extinguish the fire.
