Incredible Uses for Baking Soda (Bicarbonate Soda)
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incredible uses for Baking Soda (Bicarbonate Soda)
Since moving out of my parents place and into my own home, one of the most interesting things I've learnt is how useful Baking Soda (also called Bicarbonate Soda) actually is. So I want to share my knowledge with you. Here are a few great uses for Baking soda, which you can get fairly cheaply from pretty much any supermarket/store.
1) Teeth Whitening
Ok you probably already knew this one. Baking Soda is a common ingredient in tooth paste, and brushing your teeth with it will gradually improve their colour. Do not substitute for actual toothpaste though, as it does not protect or clean your teeth in the same manner. Use tooth paste every day, and baking soda as well as tooth paste every other day. Within just a few weeks you'll notice a huge difference. Don't mix it with vinegar like some people suggest, vinegar is acidic and not good for your teeth. It works great by itself, trust me.
2) Hair Volumizer and anti-grease shampoo.
I was skeptical when I first tried this, but if your hair is naturally greasy and/or flat, try using baking soda paste instead of shampoo. Mix baking soda with water, and wash your hair with it 2-3 times per week. Start at the roots, and work it through your hair, leave it on for 4-5 minutes, then rinse. You will immediately feel your hair thicken the first time you brush it after it dries. This works wonders for me and I don't know how I ever coped without it.
3) Unblocking Drains
Found out this one by accident. I literally was trying to unclog a sink drain that had been draining far too slowly for ages. Accidentally tipped about a three-tablespoon amount of baking soda down it that I was using for brushing my teeth. The water which had been resting in the sink immediately drained, it was magical. 4oz is the recommended amount, and apparently using 100ml of hot vinegar immediately afterwards makes it more effective, but again the baking soda alone worked wonders for me.
4) Windshield cleaner
Add baking soda to a damp clothe and use it to wipe your windshields, particularly on days when it is forecast rain. Not only will your windshield be sparkling clean, but the raindrops will not 'stick' to it as well as they usually do. I have only tried this one once, but it worked for me, so hopefully it should work for you too!
5) Spot repellent.
Baking soda is an ingredient used in many facial masks, but it works on it's own as well! Whilst it cannot replace other face masks in terms of quality, it is far less pricey! Mixing baking soda with water and applying it thinly to warm and wet skin can prevent grease and clogged pores. This means spots will have a harder time existing and remaining on your body. Use at least 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of water, I used 2 and it worked great! However, it does seem to make your skin slightly paler, just a warning if you are working on your tan.
6) Cleaning most things
For toilets, baths, ovens, and even floors, baking soda is a fantastic cleaning agent. It is a very mild and safe form of bleach which kills bacteria and leaves white surfaces looking wonderful. Again it is recommended to add warm vinegar, but using baking soda on a warm, damp sponge seems to work just fine. As it is none-toxic, you can also clean food items such as fruit, veg, pasta etc.
7) Bath Soap
Adding around 50-80g of baking soda to a bath will wash away any body oil and grease. It is great for your skin and leaves you feeling and smelling clean and soft. Again it may affect your skin tone a little, but if you are concerned with spots/grease this is a great alternative to most bath soaps. You can also just create a paste from baking soda and water and add it directly onto your skin a few minutes before a bath, for better results.
These are just a few uses that I have found for this amazing product. Of course it does not always fully live up to the products it is replacing, but more often than not I have discovered that baking soda can be just as, if not more effective than items created to suit a specific purpose. Besides, Baking Soda is super cheap and safe to use. Give it a go and I hope you are as impressed with baking soda as I am!
Since moving out of my parents place and into my own home, one of the most interesting things I've learnt is how useful Baking Soda (also called Bicarbonate Soda) actually is. So I want to share my knowledge with you. Here are a few great uses for Baking soda, which you can get fairly cheaply from pretty much any supermarket/store.
1) Teeth Whitening
Ok you probably already knew this one. Baking Soda is a common ingredient in tooth paste, and brushing your teeth with it will gradually improve their colour. Do not substitute for actual toothpaste though, as it does not protect or clean your teeth in the same manner. Use tooth paste every day, and baking soda as well as tooth paste every other day. Within just a few weeks you'll notice a huge difference. Don't mix it with vinegar like some people suggest, vinegar is acidic and not good for your teeth. It works great by itself, trust me.
2) Hair Volumizer and anti-grease shampoo.
I was skeptical when I first tried this, but if your hair is naturally greasy and/or flat, try using baking soda paste instead of shampoo. Mix baking soda with water, and wash your hair with it 2-3 times per week. Start at the roots, and work it through your hair, leave it on for 4-5 minutes, then rinse. You will immediately feel your hair thicken the first time you brush it after it dries. This works wonders for me and I don't know how I ever coped without it.
3) Unblocking Drains
Found out this one by accident. I literally was trying to unclog a sink drain that had been draining far too slowly for ages. Accidentally tipped about a three-tablespoon amount of baking soda down it that I was using for brushing my teeth. The water which had been resting in the sink immediately drained, it was magical. 4oz is the recommended amount, and apparently using 100ml of hot vinegar immediately afterwards makes it more effective, but again the baking soda alone worked wonders for me.
4) Windshield cleaner
Add baking soda to a damp clothe and use it to wipe your windshields, particularly on days when it is forecast rain. Not only will your windshield be sparkling clean, but the raindrops will not 'stick' to it as well as they usually do. I have only tried this one once, but it worked for me, so hopefully it should work for you too!
5) Spot repellent.
Baking soda is an ingredient used in many facial masks, but it works on it's own as well! Whilst it cannot replace other face masks in terms of quality, it is far less pricey! Mixing baking soda with water and applying it thinly to warm and wet skin can prevent grease and clogged pores. This means spots will have a harder time existing and remaining on your body. Use at least 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of water, I used 2 and it worked great! However, it does seem to make your skin slightly paler, just a warning if you are working on your tan.
6) Cleaning most things
For toilets, baths, ovens, and even floors, baking soda is a fantastic cleaning agent. It is a very mild and safe form of bleach which kills bacteria and leaves white surfaces looking wonderful. Again it is recommended to add warm vinegar, but using baking soda on a warm, damp sponge seems to work just fine. As it is none-toxic, you can also clean food items such as fruit, veg, pasta etc.
7) Bath Soap
Adding around 50-80g of baking soda to a bath will wash away any body oil and grease. It is great for your skin and leaves you feeling and smelling clean and soft. Again it may affect your skin tone a little, but if you are concerned with spots/grease this is a great alternative to most bath soaps. You can also just create a paste from baking soda and water and add it directly onto your skin a few minutes before a bath, for better results.
These are just a few uses that I have found for this amazing product. Of course it does not always fully live up to the products it is replacing, but more often than not I have discovered that baking soda can be just as, if not more effective than items created to suit a specific purpose. Besides, Baking Soda is super cheap and safe to use. Give it a go and I hope you are as impressed with baking soda as I am!
