Little Known Uses for Baking Soda

Everyone has baking soda in his or her kitchen, but did you know you could use it for more than just baking? It's common knowledge that you can throw a box in your fridge and it will help eliminate odors, but did you know there are several other uses for baking soda? It's also one of the cheapest, and easiest products to find in just about any store.

Check out the tips below and see what else you can use it for!

1. Baking soda soothes insect bites and stings. Just mix into a paste with vinegar.

2. You can use baking soda as an antacid, mix ½ teaspoon soda in 4 ounces of water and drink it. It will neutralize stomach acids and give you the burps!

3. Help with your sunburn, mix baking soda in a cool bath for half and hour. A baking soda bath can also help with chicken pox and mosquito bites.

4. Calm your poison ivy itch by making a paste of baking soda and water. Spread it on your rash and let it dry.

5. Clean your glasses with baking soda mixed with water.

6. Minor burns can feel relief with a mixture of baking soda and water formed into a paste. Apply it on your burn and let it dry.

7. Put out small fires with baking soda. Obviously if it is a large fire, or one that's out of control you'll want to call the Fire Department immediately, but for small grease or electrical fires, throw baking soda on to extinguish it.

8. Use as a scouring powder for your bathroom sinks, toilets and tubs. Also works great in the kitchen wherever you need a little extra muscle to clean a dirty area. Just sprinkle some baking soda on a damp sponge and you're ready to go!

9. Freshen upholstery and carpets. Just sprinkle some on, wait 10 minutes and vacuum up! Smell is gone!

10. Use it to make your pool water cleaner. The instructions for this one are a little complicated so check it out here if you intend on using this tip! http://www.armandhammer.com/basics/magic/#8

As you can see, there are several ways to use baking soda! Who knew? I certainly didn't. Next time you see that little yellow box at the grocery store, consider picking up a few extra boxes, I'm sure you'll find plenty of places to use it!