Sixty Uses Of Baking Soda
Bicarbonate of soda or baking soda has many different
uses in
the household.
Although much more expensive products have been
developed over
the years to do the same jobs, baking soda can work
for you just
as well, if not better. Use it in the following ways:
1. To make your own baking powder, stir and sift
together 2
parts of Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1
part
cornstarch.
2. Be sure to keep an extra box of baking soda by
your stove in
case of grease or electrical fire. Scatter the powder
by the
handful to safely put it out.
3. Keep a container of baking soda in your garage as
well as in
your car to put out a fire. It won't damage anything
it touches.
4. Baking soda will also put out fires in clothing,
fuel, wood,
upholstery and rugs.
5. Clean vegetables and fruit with baking soda.
Sprinkle in
water, soak and rise the produce.
6. Wash garbage cans with baking soda.
7. Soak and wash diapers with baking soda.
8. Oil and grease - stained clothing washes out
better with
soda added to the washing water.
9. Clean your fridge and freezer with dry soda
sprinkled on a
damp cloth. rinse with clear water.
10. Deodorize your fridge and freezer by putting in
an open
container of baking soda to absorb odors. Stir and
turn over
the soda from time to time. Replace every 2 months.
11. Soda absorbs kitty litter odors. Cover the bottom
of the
kitty box with 1 part soda; then add a layer of 3
parts kitty
litter on top.
12. Always add 1/2 cup soda to your washing machine
load.
13. Clean combs and brushes in a soda solution.
14. Wash food and drink containers with soda and
water.
15. Wash marble-topped furniture with a solution of 3
tablespoons of soda in 1 quart of warm water. Let
stand awhile,
then rinse.
16. Clean formica counter tops with baking soda on a
damp
sponge.
17. Wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers
with soda
and water to get rid of stale smells.
18. To remove stubborn stains from marble, formica or
plastic
surfaces, scour with a paste of soda and water.
19. Wash glass or stainless steel coffee pots (but
not
aluminum) in a soda solution ( 3 tbsp. soda to 1
quart water).
20. Run you coffee maker through its cycle with a
soda
solution. Rinse.
21. Give baby bottles a good cleaning with soda and
hot water.
22. Sprinkle soda on barbecue grills, let soak, then
rinse off.
23. Sprinkle soda on greasy garage floor. Let stand,
scrub and
rinse.
24. Polish silverware with dry soda on a damp cloth.
Rub,
rinse and dry.
25. For silver pieces without raised patterns or
cemented-on
handles: place the silver on aluminum foil in an
enamel pot.
Add boiling water and 4 tbsp. baking soda. Let stand,
rinse and
dry.
26. Reduce odor build-up in your dishwasher by
sprinkling some
soda on the bottom.
27. Run your dishwasher through its cycle with soda
in it
instead of soap to give it a good cleaning.
28. To remove burned-on food from a pan: let the pan
soak in
soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or
scrub the pot
with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.
29. For a badly-burned pan with a thick layer of
burned-on
food: pour a thick layer of soda directly onto the
bottom of
the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water so as to
moisten the
soda. Leave the pot overnight, then scrub it clean
next day.
30. Rub stainless steel and chrome with a moist cloth
and dry
baking soda to shine it up. Rinse and dry. On
stainless steel,
scrub in the direction of the grain.
31. Clean plastic, porcelain and glass with dry soda
on a damp
cloth. Rinse and dry.
32. Remove that bad smell from ashtrays with soda and
water.
33. Sprinkle a bit of dry soda in your ashtrays to
prevent
smoldering and reduce odor.
34. Clean your bathroom with dry soda on a moist
sponge - sink,
tub, tiles, shower stall, etc.
35. Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by
putting 4
tablespoons of soda in them each week. Flush the soda
down with
hot water.
36. Soak your shower curtains in water and soda to
clean them.
37. To remove strong odors from your hands, wet your
hands and
rub them hard with soda, then rinse.
38. Sprinkle baking soda on your wet toothbrush and
brush your
teeth and dentures with it.
39. Sprinkle soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots and
slippers to
eliminate odor.
40. Add 1/2 cups or more of baking soda to your bath
water to
soften your skin.
41. Putting 2 tbsp. of baking soda in your baby's
bath water
will help relieve diaper rash irritations.
42. Apply soda directly to insect bites, rashes and
poison ivy
to relieve discomfort. Make a paste with water.
43. Take a soda bath to relieve general skin
irritations such
as measles and chicken pox.
44. Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of
water to
relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.
45. Gargle with 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 1/2 glass of
water.
Freshens and cleans your mouth.
46. Used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also
relieve canker
sore pain.
47. To relieve sunburn: use a paste of baking soda
and water.
48. Bug bites: use a poultice of baking soda and
vinegar.
49. Bee sting: use a poultice of baking soda and
water.
50. Windburns: moisten some baking soda and apply
directly.
51. Making Play Clay with baking soda: combine 1 1/4
cups
water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch.
52. Use soda as an underarm deodorant.
53. If your baby spits up on his shirt after feeding,
moisten a
cloth, dip it in baking soda and dab at the dribbled
shirt. Tho
odor will go away.
54. When scalding a chicken, add 1 tsp. of soda to
the boiling
water. The feathers will come off easier and flesh
will be
clean and white.
55. Repel rain from windshield. Put gobs of baking
soda on a
dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out.
56. Add to water to soak dried beans to make them
more
digestible.
57. Add to water to remove the "gamey"
taste from wild game.
58. Use to sweeten sour dishcloths.
59. Use dry with a small brush to rub canvas handbags
clean.
60. Use to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from
toaster.
Dampen cloth and make a mild abrasive with baking
soda.
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