Growing up I would get so embarrassed when friends would come over and see my mother and her box of Arm & Hammer baking soda. She would start the morning using it to brush her teeth, follow that up with a facial scrub, and then move on to making a paste for deodorant.
Who knew that all those years ago that while my mother was being resourceful, she was also being "green". She has always been a big proponent of using baking soda for every imaginable task around the house. As a teenager I saw her frugal use of baking soda as a another indicator that we didn't have any money, when I should have seen it for what it was: my mother "Keeping Her Cents"!
Now as the mother of 3 who only works part-time outside the home, I don't have to tell you that at times, money is verrry tight. The coupon shopping goes a long way to supplementing our income, but every now and then there is a short fall. Baking Soda to the Rescue.
I did some research and found some surprising uses for my old buddy baking soda aka sodium bicarbonate. Uses that we are trying to incorporate in our daily lives.
Beauty:
1. Exfoliate Skin -- 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water can be used daily to exfoliate the skin. I have used this mixture on my face with good results, but be warned: Don't get too vigorous with the scrubbing! Just like any other exfoliate, you can damage your skin.
2. Skin Softener -- Fancy bath products can get expensive, so sprinkle about 1/2 cup baking soda into your bath water and have a good soak. This will help to remove oil and perspiration from your skin. You'll be surprised at the softening power of this handy little box of goodness.
Household and Cleaning:
4. Surface Cleaner -- Baking Soda can be used as a natural, effective cleaner on all of your hard surfaces. Sprinkle lightly on your cleaning sponge or cloth and scrub as usual. Rinse completely and dry.
It is nice to know that no harsh chemicals were used to clean areas where my children are on a daily basis. On occasion when I've gotten preoccupied and burned parts of dinner, baking soda has worked really well to clean the pots.
5. Drain Freshener -- 1/2 cup of baking soda poured into kitchen or bath drains while running warm water will leave you with a fresh drain.
My family loves seafood, but I hate the smell after the meal is done. This is a simple way to help neutralize the odors from one of our favorite indulgences.
6. Deodorizer -- We've all heard the tip to place a box of baking soda in the back of the fridge and freezer to neutralize odors. Now try sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of your garbage pails, inside stinky sneakers when not in use (shake out before wearing), or in the bottom of coolers after a weekend of camping.
Personal Care:
7. Antacid -- This is an effective way to relieve heartburn and sour stomach. Strictly follow all directions on package for dosing details.
8. Toothpaste -- Make a paste of baking soda and water to brush your way to whiter teeth.
9. Mouthwash -- (This one is just in case the sales every end on toothpaste) A mixture of baking soda and a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution can be used for whiter teeth and fresher breath. The foamy feel of the hydrogen peroxide takes some getting use to, but you can do it to "keep your cents".
Pet Care:
10. Cat Litter Add-In -- Sprinkle baking soda into cat litter to help neutralize odor. Kitty litter with baking soda is usually a lot more expensive, so I make my own version.
Who knew that all those years ago that while my mother was being resourceful, she was also being "green". She has always been a big proponent of using baking soda for every imaginable task around the house. As a teenager I saw her frugal use of baking soda as a another indicator that we didn't have any money, when I should have seen it for what it was: my mother "Keeping Her Cents"!
Now as the mother of 3 who only works part-time outside the home, I don't have to tell you that at times, money is verrry tight. The coupon shopping goes a long way to supplementing our income, but every now and then there is a short fall. Baking Soda to the Rescue.
I did some research and found some surprising uses for my old buddy baking soda aka sodium bicarbonate. Uses that we are trying to incorporate in our daily lives.
Beauty:
1. Exfoliate Skin -- 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water can be used daily to exfoliate the skin. I have used this mixture on my face with good results, but be warned: Don't get too vigorous with the scrubbing! Just like any other exfoliate, you can damage your skin.
2. Skin Softener -- Fancy bath products can get expensive, so sprinkle about 1/2 cup baking soda into your bath water and have a good soak. This will help to remove oil and perspiration from your skin. You'll be surprised at the softening power of this handy little box of goodness.
Hair Care:
3. Brush & Comb Cleaner -- Use baking soda to remove the natural oil build-up in your brushes and help keep your hair looking shiny. Mix 1 tsp. baking soda in a basin of warm water, throw in your hair brushes and combs, then rinse and allow to dry.Household and Cleaning:
4. Surface Cleaner -- Baking Soda can be used as a natural, effective cleaner on all of your hard surfaces. Sprinkle lightly on your cleaning sponge or cloth and scrub as usual. Rinse completely and dry.
It is nice to know that no harsh chemicals were used to clean areas where my children are on a daily basis. On occasion when I've gotten preoccupied and burned parts of dinner, baking soda has worked really well to clean the pots.
5. Drain Freshener -- 1/2 cup of baking soda poured into kitchen or bath drains while running warm water will leave you with a fresh drain.
My family loves seafood, but I hate the smell after the meal is done. This is a simple way to help neutralize the odors from one of our favorite indulgences.
6. Deodorizer -- We've all heard the tip to place a box of baking soda in the back of the fridge and freezer to neutralize odors. Now try sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of your garbage pails, inside stinky sneakers when not in use (shake out before wearing), or in the bottom of coolers after a weekend of camping.
Personal Care:
7. Antacid -- This is an effective way to relieve heartburn and sour stomach. Strictly follow all directions on package for dosing details.
8. Toothpaste -- Make a paste of baking soda and water to brush your way to whiter teeth.
9. Mouthwash -- (This one is just in case the sales every end on toothpaste) A mixture of baking soda and a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution can be used for whiter teeth and fresher breath. The foamy feel of the hydrogen peroxide takes some getting use to, but you can do it to "keep your cents".
Pet Care:
10. Cat Litter Add-In -- Sprinkle baking soda into cat litter to help neutralize odor. Kitty litter with baking soda is usually a lot more expensive, so I make my own version.
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