The only soda you need
No I am not talking about the sugary bubbly soda. I am talking about baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate. This powdery stuff can be used in baking, but I use it in so much more!
As mentioned in previous posts, I don’t use chemicals of any kind in my home. Baking soda has become a cleaning staple to replace the chemical irritants found in conventional products. In addition to usefulness in the home, baking soda can be used in your daily hygiene regimen. Baking soda has an alkalizing effect which neutralizes pH levels. This can help eliminate odors in the fridge. It can also balance acidity in the washing machine which allows your laundry detergent to work more efficiently.
Although there are countless ways to use baking soda, here are the ways I use it in my life:
- Laundry- add a couple of tablespoons to natural detergent to increase the effectiveness and to brighten whites and colors
- Scrub pots and pans- especially if you’ve burned some pasta to the bottom (I am a great cook!)
- Clean showers and tiles- sprinkle some on with a bit of water and scrub away the soap scum
- Freshen toilet- add a cup to the toilet for one hour then flush to reveal a clean bowl and no odor
- Fresh flowers- add a teaspoon to the water in your vase and extend the life of the flowers
- Body scrubber- say goodbye to harsh apricot scrubs and add a tablespoon to your body wash to reveal baby soft skin
- Add volume and body to your hair- if you haven’t washed your hair for a few days, add a tablespoon to your shampoo and discover a whole new clean
- Face mask- I do not recommend using this as a face wash as it may be too harsh for sensitive skin, but I do like to dilute it with my face soap and leave it on as a mask once a week
- Freshen breath- use a teaspoon in a cup of water and swish as you would mouthwash (this also helps with canker sores)
So there you have this weeks favorite! Don’t just reserve this stuff for deodorizing your fridge or baking. Try adding it to your cleaning routine and beauty care.
