Chances are you probably have a box or two of baking soda in your apartment right now. Most Americans use baking soda for three key reasons: baking, absorbing odors and cleaning. However, you probably haven’t recognized all the unique ways baking soda can be used for health, healing and personal purposes.
Baking soda is 100 percent sodium bicarbonate and helps regulate pH balances. It ensures that a substance doesn’t become too acidic or too alkaline. When baking soda comes into contact with another substance, its main duty is to neutralize that pH level. Due to its positive interaction with other substances, there’s a lot of creative ways you can use baking soda in your apartment to your advantage.
We’re going to go through 15 things you probably never knew you could do with baking soda.
1. Cleans brushes
Baking soda is a great agent to use for cleaning brushes, combs and other hair care items You should soak your brushes in a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with warm water. Rinse thoroughly and then allow the brushes to dry.
This will help remove natural oils and other build-up that gets stuck in brushes over time.
2. Natural deodorant
It’s no secret that traditional deodorants contain a lot of harmful parabens and aluminum in them. To avoid chemicals and antiperspirants, use a pinch of baking soda mixed with water and rub it under your arms. This will serve as a simple yet effective natural deodorant alternative.
3. Bath soaks
You can use baking soda to create the ultimate relaxing bath soak. By mixing baking soda and something like apple cider, you’ll have a peaceful bath for soaking.
These substances will also helps to clean your bathtub, which is an added bonus!
4. Splinter removal
Baking soda can help draw out splinters by adding a tablespoon of it to a glass of water and then soaking the area in the mixed substance.
By using this course of treatment, many splinters will come out on their own within a few days.
5. Natural teeth whitener
Utilizing baking soda and other products, such as activated charcoal, you can achieve whiter teeth in as little as one week. Mix baking soda and activated charcoal and leave it on your teeth for five minutes. Then, brush your teeth, rinse and repeat once per week.
Please note, you can damage your enamel if you use this method every night, so it should be used in moderation.
6. Deodorize cutting boards
If you cook regularly, you know the feeling of when your cutting boards smell like a million different food scents. You can use baking soda to regularly deodorize the cutting boards. Just add a tablespoon or two of baking soda to your cutting board and then scrub, rinse and repeat as needed.
7. Laundry detergent add-on
Get your clothes cleaner and brighter by adding in 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry as needed. The baking soda makes the laundry detergent work harder and therefore, achieves a better balance of pH.
8. Neutralize beans
Traditional “gassy” beans such as black beans and pinto beans can be soaked in baking soda to help improve digestion. You can sprinkle a teaspoon or two of baking soda in water when you soak your beans to prevent indigestion when consuming them.
9. Deodorize shoes
When you’re not wearing your shoes, sprinkle baking soda in them and let them sit. Just be sure to shake them out before wearing them again.
This will help get the unpleasant scents out of your shoes and ensure they stay fresh smelling for a long time.
10. Natural hand cleanser
Sick of using store bought hand soap? Not a problem. Mix three parts baking soda with one part water to create a natural hand cleanser that will do the same job as traditional soap. Get unnecessary dirt off, neutralize odors and smell fresh.
11. Keeps flowers fresh
If you want to keep your flowers fresh longer, consider adding a teaspoon of baking soda to the water in the vase. Baking soda will ensure your flowers stay fresher at least a few days longer.
12. Unclog drains
Many people know this trick. Just mix a little baking soda and vinegar and your clogged drains will be gone in no time. Forget needing any expensive store-bought products for this problem.
13. Deodorize trashcans
When you put a new trash bag in your trashcan, drop a teaspoon of baking soda on the bottom. You’ll be surprised, but this will help your trash from becoming too smelly. The substance keeps the smells better under control.
14. Natural floor cleaner
Baking soda can used as a great natural floor cleaner, especially if you have tile floors. Just mix 1/2 cup baking soda in a warm bucket of water and start mopping!
15. Crayon cleaner
Yes, you read that right. Gently apply baking soda to a wet cloth and massage the crayon stains off the walls. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this solves the problem!
Baking soda can be used in so many ways!
As you can see, baking soda is one of the best substances we have access to. You can get creative with your baking soda and start adding this natural alternative to your life more.
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Source: apartmentguide.com