In its simplest description, baking soda helps regulate pH. If you mix it with either an acid or an alkaline substance it has a neutralizing effect on it. It is perfect for neutralizing acidic odors and maintaining a neutral pH. It also has a gentle abrasive ability to help scrub. It deodorizes, neutralizes, and cleans all without the toxic mess of most commercial products.
There are literally countless ways you can utilize baking soda around your household. It even has various medicinal uses too! It is extremely versatile, gentle, green and best of all inexpensive. Here are some of the most popular uses:
Keep body odor in check
Those with sensitive skin may be able to use a bit of baking soda in the armpit in place of commercial deodorant. It neutralizes odors and there’s a bonus: it won’t stain your clothes. One method for making your own DIY deodorant is to put ⅛ teaspoon of baking soda in your palm. Add ¼ teaspoon of water to your palm. The mixture should be slippery, so add more water or baking soda as needed. Rub each palm under the opposing underarm and apply the mixture to both armpits. Allow it to dry before dressing, and boom, you’re ready to go free of odor.
Clean a burned pot
You forget to turn off the stove or get distracted while cooking. It happens. Unfortunately, the victim of this oversight is your pot or pan. It’s a burned, stinky mess, but it is salvageable. Here’s a tip from Reader’s Digest: Scrape out as much food as you can and then fill the pan a quarter full with water. Pour in a half cup of baking soda and bring the water to a boil. Turn it off and let it sit overnight. In the morning, you can clean off the black gunk with ease.
Whiten your teeth
Simply combine it with hydrogen peroxide to make your smile brighter. Here are some tips from Colgate:
- Use less baking soda than hydrogen peroxide, and make sure your paste isn’t gritty.
- Combine about two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of baking soda.
- Stir into a paste and start brushing.
- Let the paste stand about a minute and then rinse.
Relieve stomach discomfort
Add just a tiny pinch of it to coffee, orange juice or other acidic foods and beverages. You can also help alleviate acid reflux because it is also a natural antacid. Drink a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in 8 ounces of water to help neutralize stomach acid.
Soothe a canker sore
Help your canker sore health faster by swishing every two hours with a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda stirred until dissolved in 1 cup warm water.
For even more tips check out our top ten uses.