Using Baking Soda in the Home for Cleaning, More

Household baking soda has many uses around the home besides just baking. It is a safe, nontoxic substance that can be used for cleaning and for health and beauty aids. Since baking soda is natural it is a green alternative to using chemicals around the house. Household cleaners can cause breathing problems and may not be safe to use in a home with children or pets.

Baking soda can be mixed with your favorite shampoo to gently absorb excess oil and wash away the residue that styling products leave behind. Use about the size of a quarter and mix with your shampoo in your hand. Wash as normal making sure to rinse thoroughly.

Baking soda also makes an excellent exfolliant for the face and body. Mix baking soda and water to make a paste to scrub your body and face. This isn't recommended for your face if you have very sensitive skin. If you use self tanner scrubbing with baking soda before applying the tanner can help the tanning lotion go on smoother and reduce unsightly streaks.

Baking soda can also be used to whiten your teeth. After using your regular toothpaste for the fluoride use baking soda to scrub off stains and clean your teeth. To use as a toothpaste, pour baking soda in your hand and dip a wet toothbrush into the baking soda. Brush as normal making sure to rinse well.

Baths can dry your skin and making it itchy. Pouring just half of a cup of baking soda into a bath can help wash away oils from your skin and leave your skin soft and silky. To relieve red, tender skin from diaper rash, put half a cup of baking soda in your child's bath water. It's safe and non toxic for your child to bathe in.

Baking soda makes a great gentle scouring powder for the home. It works great on soap scum in the bathtub or shower. It's also great to clean sinks and counters but be sure to rinse well. Baked on foods can be removed from pots and pans by sprinkling baking soda on it and scrubbing with a dish rag.

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and can be sprinkled on carpets or furniture. It's best to be left on several hours or overnight then vacuumed the next day.

Baking soda is a degreaser and deodorizer. It is safe and gentle enough for baking or for using for beauty aids, yet tough enough to scrub pots and pans and bathtubs. It is inexpensive and readily available in almost any store. It's safe to use around children and pets and nontoxic.