Arm & Hammer Baking Soda: The Ultimate Household "Must-Have"

Out of all of the products out there on the market today that have been put to the test, Arm & Hammer baking soda simply has got to be included on the top 10 list of "must-haves" when it comes to the ultimate household supply. The product is virtually fool proof on almost anything it touches from humans and pets to inanimate objects, and it is dirt cheap. In fact, this one little inexpensive product is like having hundreds of expensive health, cooking, cleaning, and beautifying products all in one package.

Let's face it, each year millions of dollars are spent by consumers on products used for cleaning their homes and beautifying their bodies, and this doesn't even begin to touch on money spent on over-the-counter medicines for quick relief from insect bites to acid-reflux. Baking soda has definitely shaken things up a bit by being used in and on virtually everything that involves the necessities in life, and it is environmentally safe to use so once again it even touches on the safety of our planet.

Consumers will ultimately save a large chunk of change by cleaning out their expensive product filled cupboards and replacing these items with one small highly recognizable yellow box that is familiar to virtually everyone. Arm & Hammer baking soda has been a household name since its humble beginnings in 1846 simply because it is pure, inexpensive and it works. The word is out that it's not just for baking anymore, and in fact has many more important uses then just a leavening agent.

The main ingredient in baking soda is sodium bicarbonate and according to the facts contributed to the Columbia Encyclopedia, sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate is a white crystalline or granular powder used for relieving heartburn and reducing stomach acids. Arm & Hammer baking soda is however in no way limited to health issues anymore as we have learned throughout the years by experimenting with this soluble product.

Arm & Hammer and the Body

Hair: Add a tablespoon of baking soda to your regular shampoo in your hand, lather in hair as usual and rinse. It will help remove product build-up by deep cleaning hair naturally.

Face: Elbows, Heels and Knees: Make a water and baking soda paste just thick enough to adhere to the skin. Rub gently in a circular motion. Leave on for 5 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Teeth: Brushing your teeth with baking soda is always included on lists when it comes to money saving tips, and why not? It freshens breath, whitens teeth and it costs less then toothpaste. If you just cannot handle the salty taste of baking soda, then try this fool proof recipe: Just mix 6 teaspoons of baking soda with four teaspoons of glycerin. Add one third teaspoon of salt, and finally 10 drops of peppermint extract. Mix this all up thoroughly and keep in an airtight jar or container.

Canker Sores: Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 4-ounces of warm water. Rinse mouth out completely to help eliminate canker sore pain.

Stomach: Used as an antacid for acid indigestion and other stomach concerns. According to Arm & Hammer, baking soda works like a charm for calming a gurgling stomach, heartburn, and settling a sour stomach. Their recipe for quick relief is: 1/2 teaspoon baking soda mixed with 4 fl. ounces of water. Dissolve completely in water and drink.

Skin: Add ½ cup to 1 cup of baking soda to warm bath water to relieve itchy skin from insect bites, poison ivy, and dry skin from the elements.

Insect Bites and Minor Skin Irritations: Make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Rub on the affected area of the skin to relieve itching.

Hands: Washing hands in a paste of baking soda and water removes strong odors left behind from food, gasoline, oil, and other odor causing agents. It also helps to alleviate dry hands.

Feet: Add ½ cup of baking soda to a basin of warm water for soaking tired or calloused feet. This helps to remove calluses and soften rough feet.

Arm & Hammer and Pet Care

Ultimate Pet Bath: 1 tablespoon of baking soda added to Rover's favorite pet shampoo will moisturize his skin and soften grimy matted hair, aiding in the healing process. The natural ingredients in baking soda works well with the cleaning and deodorizing agents found in most pet shampoo that will aid in removing dirt, debris and odors from an exceptionally dirty pet.

Wet Dog Odor: Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the offensive smelling animal's hair and rub into their fur. Brush completely through their hair. This also helps eliminate matted hair when done over time.

Arm & Hammer in the Home

Ceilings to Floors: Baking soda can be used like scouring powder when sprinkled dry onto a wet cloth or sponge. It removes crayon and black scuff marks while deodorizing and cleaning most surfaces safely.

Refrigerator, Freezer and Food Cupboards: An open box left in an inconspicuous spot eliminates strong food odors and aids in keeping food fresh and tasting like it should even when onions or garlic is present.

Drains: Pour old containers of Arm & Hammer left over from the refrigerator down drains to unclog and eliminate odors from constant use.

Grease: A paste of baking soda and water removes hard yellow grease splatters from walls, pots & pans, vent covers, and stove tops. Just dip an old toothbrush into the paste and scrub grease in a circular motion for maximum results.

Fire Extinguisher for Ovens & Stovetops: Turn off the stove and throw hand fulls of baking soda into the flame.

Fire Extinguisher for Electrical Fires: Unplug the device and throw a handfull of baking soda onto the flames.

Upholstery, Mattresses and Carpets: Baking soda can be sprinkled directly onto beds, carpets, rugs, couches and chairs. Allow it to set for 10 minutes, and then just vacuum away the product, leaving only a fresh scent.

Laundry: Add ½ cup to 1 cup of baking soda to strong smelling laundry that needs a boost of freshening. The baking soda will not only remove the strong odors, but it also softens clothing as well.

Shoes & Work Boots: Sprinkle fresh baking soda directly into the stinky shoes. Leave overnight and just dump the baking soda into the garbage can.

BBQ Grills: Clean grills with a paste of baking soda and water. Just dip your wire brush or scrubber pad into the paste and scrub. This is the best way to avoid chemicals getting into your food through avoiding commercial cleaners and combined open heat.

Plants and Flowers: Black spots and fungus can be the death of any flourishing garden, but it also can be eliminated by mixing 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 1 teaspoon of Dawn dishwashing detergent. Add to 1 gallon of warm water and shake to mix well. Allow to settle and pour into a spray bottle. Spray onto the affected flowers and plants once a week until the disease has completely disappeared.

Fiberglass: A paste of baking soda and warm water applied to a sponge cleans fiberglass like magic without scratching the finicky shiny surface.

Battery Acid: Sprinkle fresh baking soda directly from the box to spilled battery acid to neutralize it immediately.

Mildew Remover: Make a medium- thick paste of baking soda and warm water. Dip a sponge or old toothbrush into the paste and scrub the mildew in a circular motion. Rinse with hot water.

Sweat and Urine Stains: Apply a runny paste of baking soda and water to the stain, allowing it to sit overnight. Wash the garment as usual. Continue process until stain is completely gone.

Canvas Shoes and Handbags: A clean toothbrush dipped into a paste of baking soda and water effectively cleans dirty canvas. Just dip and brush paste in circular motions. Wipe off with a clean, dry white cloth.

Children and Projects: Make homemade Play-Doh by combining 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups baking soda, and 1 cup cornstarch. Add a few drops of food coloring to each batch. Store the Play-Doh in an air-tight container.

Arm & Hammer and Cooking

Dried Beans: Take the gassiness out of beans by adding 1 tablespoon of baking soda to the water that the beans are soaking in. This will also help in softening the beans more rapidly.

Cabbage: A pinch of baking soda added during the cooking process makes this gassy favorite more digestible.

Spaghetti sauce: A pinch of baking soda added to this tangy sauce will help with reducing the acid found in tomatoes.

Wild Game: A sprinkle added to duck; deer, rabbit and other wild game will help in removing some of the raw gaminess taste associated with this type of meat. Allow to sit for 15 minutes and then rinse the meat before adding your regular seasonings.

Baking: Added to bake goods that need a leavening agent for the purpose of making them rise.