Baking soda is a common ingredient in many food recipes and found in almost every home. Baking soda has been widely used as a household cleaner and a health and beauty product for a number of years. Some are tried and true, well-known to grandmothers everywhere. Others are the result of recent research. Here are fifteen kitchen, health and beauty applications for you to try.
1- Natural Fire-Stopper
Baking soda's a natural fire-stopper. Keep a box close at hand when you're working with live fire of any kind. A handful can put out grease, electrical, wood, and fuel fires.
2- Coffee Cleaner
Run a baking soda and water solution through your coffee maker, followed by two fresh-water brew cycles to keep your java tasting tip-top.
3- Skin Glowing
Go for a natural glow get advantage of baking soda. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water for an effective and inexpensive skin exfoliates. Just apply it to your skin with fingertips or a washcloth in a gentle, circular motion and rinse.
4- Teeth Whiting
Baking soda is a fabulous natural teeth whitener. A little baking soda on a wet toothbrush has a mild abrasive effect on your teeth. This can help to remove any build up on your teeth and many help to remove or reduce stains.
5- Beauty of Elbows & Heals
Make a paste of baking soda and warm water; rub it on your elbows and heels to smooth rough skin.
6- Hair Protection
A teaspoon of baking soda added to your bottle of shampoo will make your hair more manageable and prevent the build up of hair care products in your hair
7- Skin Exfoliate
Adding cup of baking soda to your bath water softens the water enhancing the effectiveness of your body cleanser while neutralizing skin acids. It will help to mildly exfoliate your skin, leaving it nice and smooth. You can simply dissolve a small amount of baking soda under the tap as you fill the bath.
8- Natural Relief
To relieve burns, rashes, or poison ivy, make a paste with baking soda and water and gently spread over the affected areas. If left on for a few minutes and allowed to dry, it will reduce redness and irritation.
9- Foot Remedy
Baking soda can make a good foot treatment, due to its antibacterial abilities. In some cases it can help treat the fungal infection known as athlete’s foot. Try soaking your feet in a solution of baking soda and water for at least 30 minutes. Relax and allow the solution to deodorize, soothe, and freshen your feet. Afterward, remove the now softened dead skin and cleanse nails by scrubbing feet with a baking soda paste.
10- Beauty of Finger Nails
Dip a nail brush into a solution of baking soda and warm water to scrub fingernails and toenails clean. As an added benefit, cuticles will be softened.
11- Oral Health
To neutralize odors and bacteria, dissolve a spoonful of baking soda into 1/2 cup warm water and gargle for fifteen seconds.
12- Burns Relief
Also apply baking soda paste on burns to reduce pain and discomfort. Keep moist for the best results.
13- Natural Deodorant
For a natural deodorant, sprinkle baking soda under your arms. You can combine cornstarch and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio for a smoother texture.
14- Toys Cleaning
Clean and deodorise toys, work surfaces, high chairs, cots and cribs with a solution of baking soda and water to remove odours and keep areas fresh and germ free.
15- Sun Burn Protection
To ease the pain and discomfort of sunburn, Apply a paste of baking soda (3parts baking soda to 1part water) to the affected area and leave on. It will set and go crusty but it will relieve the pain.
The health and beauty benefits of baking soda are numerous. Baking soda isn't just for the kitchen anymore. So pull that baking soda box down from your kitchen shelf, dust it off, and start discovering the wonders of this versatile, inexpensive, and all natural product.
