Keep Baking Soda on hand for these uses.

[itw69fxst]

Here are a few from a company that I order "stuff" from.

 

http://www.thereadystore.com/diy/4399/30-amazing-uses-for-baking-soda/?utm_source=rne_thursday_20131205a--google--organic&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=thursday--content--baking_soda_uses&utm_content=main_content_banner&trk_msg=LLKPSJB40N543EL12KA756E4UK&trk_contact=HFPRIAU8SRG4GPLRMOT9LL5SLS

 

 

1. Make toothpaste
You can combine baking soda with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution to create a non-fluoride toothpaste.

2. Facial scrub
Instead of going to an expensive spa, make your own facial scrub! Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean. This is gentle enough for daily use.

3. Deodorant
Pat baking soda under your arms to neutralize body odor. It’s a great alternative to harsher deodorants.

4. Use as an Antacid
Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach and/or acid indigestion. Refer to baking soda package for instructions.

5. Treat Insect Bites & Itchy Skin
For insect bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower.

6. Make a Bath Soak
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralize acids on the skin and help wash away oil and perspiration, it also makes your skin feel very soft. Epsom salts are pretty miraculous for the bath too.

7. Soothe Your Feet
Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water and soak feet. Gently scrub.

8. Make a Hand Cleanser and Softener
Skip harsh soaps and gently scrub away ground-in dirt and neutralize odors on hands with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, or 3 parts baking soda to gentle liquid hand soap. Then rinse clean.

9. Freshen Sponges
Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solution to get rid of the mess (4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water).

10. Polish Silver Flatware
Use a baking soda paste made with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining sterling and silver-plated serving pieces.

11. Clean Shower Curtains
Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling baking soda directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtain and rinse clean. Hang it up to dry.

12. Boost Your Liquid Laundry Detergent
Give your laundry a boost by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash gets clothes cleaner, fresher and brighter.

13. Gently Clean Baby Clothes
Baby skin requires the most gentle of cleansers, which are increasingly available, but odor and stain fighters are often harsh. For tough stains add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your liquid laundry detergent, or a 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle for deodorization.

14. Remove Oil and Grease Stains
Use baking soda to clean up light-duty oil and grease spills on your garage floor or in your driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

15. Clean Batteries
Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, etc. because its a mild alkali. Be sure to disconnect the battery terminals before cleaning. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the battery terminal. After cleaning and re-connecting the terminals, wipe them with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Please be careful when working around a battery–they contain a strong acid.

16. Deodorize Your Refrigerator
Place an open box in the back of the fridge to neutralize odors.

17. Deodorize the Cutting Board
Sprinkle the cutting board with baking soda, scrub, rinse.

18. Remove Odor From Carpets
Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let set overnight, or as long as possible (the longer it sets the better it works). Sweep up the larger amounts of baking soda, and vacuum up the rest. (Note that your vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy.)

19. Remove Odor From Vacuum Cleaners
By using the method above for carpets, you will also deodorize your vacuum cleaner.

20. Camping Cure-all
Baking soda is a must-have for your next camping trip. It’s a dish washer, pot scrubber, hand cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste, fire extinguisher and many other uses.

21. Extinguish Fires
Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor grease or electrical kitchen fires, because when baking soda is heated, it gives off carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking fires (frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity if you can safely do so. Stand back and throw handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame to help put out the fire–and call the Fire Department just to be safe.

22. Septic Care
Regular use of baking soda in your drains can help keep your septic system flowing freely. One cup of baking soda per week will help maintain a favorable pH in your septic tank.

23.  Fruit and Vegetable Scrub
Baking soda is the food safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse.

24. Clean the Microwave
Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.

25.  Relieve Diaper Rash
Put two tablespoons in your baby’s bathwater to help relieve diaper rash.

26. Fresh Flowers
Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon to the water in the vase.

27. Repel Rain
Wipe your windshield with it to repel rain.

28. Music Fruit Relief
Soak dried beans to a baking soda solution to make them more digestible.

29. Spot-Treat Acne
You can make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply the paste to surface zits. It probably won’t work as well for deep blemishes.

30.  Obviously, Cooking
Use it as a substitute for baking powder by mixing with it with cream of tartar or vinegar.

[McGarrett]

+1 for baking soda. Great list, there are a few on there I did not know about. Another product to keep on hand is apple cider vinegar, it has a multitude of uses around the house also.

[Guest gunnutt]

post those about vinegar I would like to see them

[Patrick Henry]

I use one cup baking soda and no other detergents to wash my hunting clothes.  I have read it removes odors and leaves no scent.  It takes the blood stains out too.  It is a lot cheeper than the no scent detergents sold for hunting clothes.

[Patrick Henry]

To clear a drain pour in one cup baking soda followed by one cup of vinegar.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

I knew it was great for several of those things, but that's good info. My wife makes her own detergent, though, and I don't know if it has any baking

soda in it. I'll ask. Whatever it is, it works and is cheap or she would bother. She has lots of tricks inside that skull. Some of her mom's survival

stuff must have rubbed off on her.

[Guest Bonedaddy]

Also great for blasting the paint off cars or car parts and not damaging the metal.

[McGarrett]

post those about vinegar I would like to see them

Here are some household uses: http://www.rd.com/home/150-household-uses-for-vinegar/2/

 

Other uses and health benefits: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5875/15-Reasons-to-Use-Apple-Cider-Vinegar-Every-Day.html

 

Check out the Braggs organic apple cider vinegar. I mix it with a little honey and lemon juice in a glass of water several times a day. Been doing it for 3 years now. I can vouch for the weight loss, more energy, etc. It works. I haven't been sick in a long time either, knock on wood. I use the cheap acv for household use and the good stuff for my drink.

[Guest gunnutt]

thank you!!

[DaveS]

Good information, thanks for posting!

 

Dave

[Guest TNSovereignty]

Put it out free-choice for those pesky goats ... when they eat something that upsets the rumen they medicate themselves.  

[morrisster]

I knew it was great for several of those things, but that's good info. My wife makes her own detergent, though, and I don't know if it has any baking

soda in it. I'll ask. Whatever it is, it works and is cheap or she would bother. She has lots of tricks inside that skull. Some of her mom's survival

stuff must have rubbed off on her.

I too make my own detergent (both laundry and dishwasher) - neither uses baking soda - though you can convert baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to washing soda (sodium carbonate) by baking it in the oven for an hour at 400degrees.  While my regular detergent recipe does not call for baking soda, I will ad a scoop when the towels are extra smelly or the whites need brightening. Add a splash of vinegar and bam.

P.S. I got a great deal on baking soda at publix the other day - 2 boxes for $.95 (like 2.2c/ounce) I stocked up.  (bulk at same and costco is right about the same price but then you have to have/buy a membership and buy a 13 lb bag...)

[Guest TNSovereignty]

Also check out Dakin's solution, a make-at-home antiseptic.  Use distilled or filtered water, bleach & baking soda.  

http://www.virginia.edu/uvaprint/HSC/pdf/09024.pdf