How Using Baking Soda Can Save You Money

I bet you knew that baking soda has a myriad of uses. But, did you know that it can save you money? Keep reading to find out how baking soda can replace more expensive products (and services) and also how you can help our environment at the same time.

Replace Harsh Chemicals

Baking soda can replace several harsh chemicals used for cleaning around the house. Baking soda is a wonderful mild abrasive cleanser that can be safely used on most surfaces. Sprinkle some on your counter tops and wipe with a damp cloth to remove dried on food or stains. It can also remove grime around faucets. Sprinkle some in your toilet and use your regular toilet brush to remove stains. You can also clean your oven with baking soda. This replaces one of the most toxic chemicals in your home. Make a paste by adding water to the baking soda and apply to the inside of your oven. Let it sit overnight and in the morning wipe it out with a damp cloth. With a little elbow grease you will be able to make your oven appear brand new. You can even replace half your powdered laundry detergent with baking soda for fresh clean clothes. With all of baking soda's cleaning uses, you will be able to replace quite a few of the expensive name brand cleaners in your home.

Give Yourself a Facial

Microdermabrasion and chemical peel treatments performed at salons are expensive and time consuming. If you are looking to exfoliate your skin for a glowing complexion you can use baking soda at home! Make a paste with baking soda and water or your favorite cleanser and apply to your face. Softly rub in small slow circles focusing on areas like your forehead, nose and chin. Do not rub around the delicate eye area or any parts of your skin that is sensitive. Keep it gentle unless your skin is very used to exfoliation treatments. Rinse with plenty of warm water and apply your favorite facial cream. Your skin may appear slightly red or flushed but this should go away soon. Do this once a week to remove dead skin cells and to keep your skin looking healthy.

Whiten Your Teeth

Baking soda's mild abrasive properties make it a great way to remove stains from teeth. Dip a moistened toothbrush into a small amount of baking soda and brush your teeth. Avoid brushing your tongue and gums since they can be sensitive and may even bleed. Baking soda is safe since it is edible but you will want to rinse well since it doesn't taste very good. You can do this often but be careful around your gum line. It can become sensitive to the abrasion.

Clean Your Drains

My mother recommended putting lemon peels or egg shells down your garbage disposal once in awhile to clean it. However, lemon peel just masks odors and doesn't do anything to clean and I don't eat many eggs. You can use baking soda mixed with vinegar. Just pour about a quarter cup of baking soda down your drain and then follow it with about a third of a cup of vinegar. Wait a few moments while the foam does it's thing and then flush with hot water. You can do this with any drain in your home, not just in the kitchen.

Make You Hair Shiny

Product buildup can make your hair dull and hard to keep manageable. You can make your hair shiny by mixing a few teaspoons of baking soda with your regular shampoo and cleansing your hair like normal. Baking soda can be drying so you will want to use a conditioner afterwards. You can do this once a month to keep your hair clean and to avoid heavy build up that results from styling products.

Baking soda is cheap, easy to find, safe and non toxic for your household. You can save even more money by purchasing it in bulk quantities at warehouse stores. Baking soda has a shelf life for baking because it loses it's effectiveness. However, for the uses described above baking soda will last a very long time. So enjoy saving money and the environment.