It’s incredible how many products you can eliminate from your cleaning and deodorizing routine simply by using a little baking soda. Baking soda is a non-toxic natural alternative to the majority of cleaning products on the market today. By using baking soda instead of products containing toxic chemicals, you keep pollutants (and poisons) out of your indoor environment and out of our water systems.There are nearly a million and one uses for the stuff, but here are ten good ones.
1. Baking Soda Unclogs Drains
Mix ½ cup with vinegar and cover your drain for 1 hour. Flush down with hot water.
2. Calms Insect Bites
Make a sticky paste with water and rub on the bite to relieve the itching. Let dry.
baking soda in a bowl
3. Exfoliates!
Mix with water to create a paste, then apply to face (avoid eye area). Leave on for a few minutes before washing off and your face will become noticeably softer.
4. Soothes a Stomach Ache
Baking soda can neutralize stomach acids that can cause heartburn, acid indigestion and other stomach aches. Mix 2 tablespoons baking soda in 8 oz glass of water and drink.
5. Eliminates Odors (like weird pet smells)
For the litter box, add one part baking soda first and then three parts kitty litter; you can eliminate the wet dog/cat smell by sprinkling your pet with baking soda then brushing.
6. Repels Ants
Baking soda repels ants and other bugs. Sprinkle baking soda under sinks near pipe openings and along basement windows.
7. Gets Out Stains
Got sweat stains? Make a baking soda and water paste and rub into the spot. Allow to sit for at least an hour to get out tough stains. Wash as usual.
8. Brightens Your Teeth
Sprinkle a little baking soda on your toothbrush once in a while to shine up your top and bottom rows. You can also use it as a toothpaste – just wet your brush and dip in baking soda.
9. Cleans Mildew Stains from Bathroom Tiles
Mix 2 cups baking soda and ½ cup water. Stir until it forms a paste and scrape grout with an old toothbrush.
10. Puts Out fires
Fire in the oven? Sprinkle generously with baking soda or salt. Will stop flames and smoke immediately.
Note: Thank you to Gwen’s Healing Garden for many of these suggestions. Visit http://www.gwenshealinggarden.ca for more ideas or to order your own booklet.
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