Tip of the Day: Baking Soda Does it All Plus More!

This post will wrap up my segment on using substitutions and home remedies to replace the more expensive, toxic, or inconvenient methods of health and beauty products, medicines, and cleaning supplies.  Last week, I mentioned a number of non-traditional uses for baking soda.  I will continue with this list, but please note, there is no way to post every good thing that baking soda does.

First of all, I want to thank all of those who have read and especially commented on this series of posts.  I would like to mention a few uses for baking soda that my brilliant readers have added to the list.

Cheeseboy @ The Blog O' Cheese submitted this use for baking soda: "It sits in the fridge and does whatever it does back there."

Becky @ Rise Above Your Limits said that her favorite use is mixing it with vinegar to make a cool volcano eruption.

Susanne @ The Woman to Woman Talk mentioned how much safer baking soda is compared to some of the chemicals that we use to clean our homes.

I Am Jo Ross @ Definitely ME added that it whitens teeth.

With summer coming, this use may come in handy.  To remove the dullness or discoloration caused by chlorinated pools, rinse hair with 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 1 pint water.

Remove fish, onion, or garlic odor from hands with a solution of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or liquid soap.  Rub, and rinse.

Make bubbling bath salts with 2 1/2 cups baking soda, 2 cups cream of tartar, and 1/2 cup cornstarch.  Mix, and store in a covered container.   Use 1/4 cup per bath.

For a simple daily deodorant, dust baking soda under arms using a powder puff.

For instant relief of razor burn, dab on a baking soda solution.  Use a dab of baking soda on a shaving cut to stem bleeding.

To soothe sunburn pain, saturate a washcloth with a solution of 4 Tbsp. baking soda in 1 quart water.  Apply to affected area.

Make your own natural kitty litter by mixing a small box of baking soda with 2 to 3 inches of dry, sandy clay.

To clean up a pet's "accident," scrub the area with club soda, and let dry.  Then sprinkle with baking soda, and let stand.  Vacuum.

If your pet has a run-in with a skunk, (or you do,) wash the pet in a bath containing 1 qt. 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 1 tsp liquid soap.  Rinse well, and dry.  Discard unused cleaner.

To make play clay for the kids, combine 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup cornstarch, 1 1/4 cups cold water, food-coloring (optional).  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 10 to 15 minutes.  Should stir until it's the consistency of mashed potatoes.  This clay will harden as it dries so you can make lasting keepsakes.

To test baking soda for freshness, pour a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice over 1/2 tsp. baking soda.  If is doesn't actively bubble, it's too old to use.

If you need 1 tsp. baking POWDER and don't have it, use 1/4 tsp. baking soda plus 5/8 tsp. cream of tartar.

Test the acidity level of your garden soil by adding a pinch of baking soda to 1 Tbsp. of soil.  If it fizzes, the soil's pH level is probably less than 5.0.

Sprinkle baking soda around tomato plants to sweeten tomatoes by lowering acidity.

There are so many more uses for baking soda that I didn't mention. You can use it for almost every part of the body, in every room in the house, and in every area of your yard. If you have a problem, there may be a way for baking soda to solve it.

What do you use baking soda for?  Please share!