Hi there friends… I have head you all that you would like to see more Hack Posts in the New Year so we are starting today! Going to try to bring you 3-4 a month : ) Today it is all about Baking Soda Hacks You Need To Know!
Sodium bicarbonate, better known as baking soda, is sitting around in most of our kitchens, fridges, and cabinets. It’s incredibly useful in baking, but did you realize how many things you can actually replace in your house with inexpensive baking soda? These baking soda hacks will help you out!
Self Care:
- Dry Shampoo:
- All you need for dry shampoo is equal parts baking soda and cornstarch. Add some natural essential oils for sent and the added benefits and mix it all up. put it in a shaker and massage into your roots. You’re good to go!
- Nail Scrub or Tan Stain Remover:
- Nails looking grubby? Did you drip some sunless tanner? Mix up some baking soda and lemon juice. Let it fizz and once the bubbles die down you apply to the affected area. Let it sit for about 10 minutes then scrub it away. You should see a drastic improvement.
- Teeth Whitening Paste:
- There’s a reason baking soda is included in all of those commercial whitening toothpastes. It works! But you don’t need to pay a premium price for it. Mix one tablespoon coconut oil, one tablespoon baking soda and half a teaspoon hydrogen peroxide in a small, resealable jar. You can add a few drops of food-safe peppermint essential oil if you want some flavor. Brush with this mixture two to three times a week to whiten teeth and freshen breath. This paste will stay good for two weeks.
- Clean Your Hair Brushes:
- Have you ever cleaned your hairbrush? Think of it. Every time you brush your hair your brush is pulling out dandruff, oils, dirt and more. An easy way to clean it is to soak it in a mixture of a teaspoon of shampoo, with a teaspoon of baking soda, and one cup of water. Do this once a week if possible, but at least once per month.
- Instant Deodorant:
- If you run out of your deodorant simply wash and scrub your pits clean. Before they dry pat some baking soda on the dampness. You can also add a gentle natural essential oil if you want a scent.
For the Home:
- Chalk Paint:
- Chalk paint is still all the rage. You can use it to repaint furniture, walls, or fun kids projects. Just mix up 1/2 cup of baking soda in cold water. Take one cup of your latex paint and slowly mix in the baking soda mixture. Use it immediately and discard any unused paint.
- Clean Up Crayon:
- Kids get creative. Unfortunately, sometimes they get creative on your walls. If they decorated with crayon you can use a paste of 50/50 baking soda and water to scrub it away without harming your paint. Tip: put down a towel or drop cloth to catch any drips
- De-Stain Plastic Food Containers and Clean Up Tough Messes:
- Baking soda hacks for the kitchen! It’s so useful. No need to chemical laden soaps and scrubs. Just use baking soda. Equal parts baking soda an water will de-stain plastic containers, scrub stuck on food, and clean up counters. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a cup of water and run it in your microwave for 2-3 minutes. Any mess inside will come right off.
- Get Whiter Clothes:
- Sure, bleach can as well, but if you’re looking for a healthier alternative, use baking soda. To get whites whiter, add some baking soda to our laundry detergent. This will also bring out the colors in your colored clothing.
- All-Natural Air Freshener:
- No Need for Febreeze! In a small bowl, mix together one tablespoon baking soda and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil with a fork. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle, using a funnel if needed, then top with purified water. Shake well and spray for long-lasting freshness!
Food and Flowers:
- Keep Flowers Alive Longer:
- Adding a tablespoon of baking soda to fresh water will help your cut flowers look lively and healthy. Make sure to cut stems at an angle and keep the water fresh.
- Improve the taste of tea:
- Just a pinch of baking soda in a gallon of freshly brewed tea will remove bitterness and cloudiness.
- Make a fluffier omelet:
- Just a pinch for a 1-2 egg or half a teaspoon of baking soda for every three eggs will yield a fluffier, yummier omelet.
- Neutralize beans:
- Beans, beans the magical fruit, the more you eat the more you… well, you know. Sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda in water while soaking dry beans and you’ll find your beans will not make you quite as gassy as before.
Clean it Up:
- Deep Clean Your Cutting Board:
- Cutting boards can get nasty and quick, even with regular wipe downs. Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda all over the board, then spray evenly with white vinegar. Let bubble for 5-10 minutes, then wipe with a cloth dipped in clean, cold water. Rinse with warm water and let air dry. This will deep clean and sanitize your board. Try to do this at least once per month.
- Shower + Grout Cleaner:
- Sick of having a grimy shower? Mix up 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide, and one teaspoon dish soap in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray the shower tiles generously, and let sit for 10 minutes. Then wipe away grime with a wet washcloth or paper towel. For extra power, use a scrub brush on it before wiping it away.
- Wash Pesticides Off Produce:
- If you buy conventional produce, you are probably aware it is covered in chemicals and pesticides. Get rid of this junk thoroughly by using a mixture of water, baking soda, and vinegar. For leafy greens, you can soak them into this mixture. You can also put some in a spray bottle for smooth-skinned veggies and fruits like apples. Spray it on, let it sit 5-10 minutes, and rinse it off.
- Unclog Kitchen Drains:
- Baking soda is a great first step for unclogging drains. First, use a plunger/sewer snake to break the clog. Once it’s been loosened, try a combination of white vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water. Pour the boiling water down the drain then follow it up with half a cup of baking soda then let it sit for a few minutes. Follow it up with a mixture of one cup vinegar and one cup boiling water. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes then finish up with another pot of boiling water.
- Clean Carpets:
- Everything sits on our carpets and even gets ground into them but it’s easy to freshen up any carpet. Simply sprinkle liberal amounts of baking soda on top let it sit for a few hours (possibly overnight), then vacuum afterward. They will smell and look much fresher!
- Deodorize The Litter Box
- Simply spread a thin layer of Baking Soda on the bottom of the Litter Pan before pouring the Litter in. This will absorb most of the odor in between changings. Baking Soda is non-toxic so it will not hurt the cat.
- Take care of Trash Can Odor
- Just sprinkle a little bit of Baking Soda in the bottom of the Trash Can or bag and it will eliminate the odors till it is time to take out the trash.
- Cleaning Pots and Pans
- Put 2-3 tablespoons of Baking Soda in your Dish Water and let your pans soak for about 5 minutes… the grime will come off so much easier this way.
- Sticky Stuff Remover
- By mixing 2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda with a Tablespoon of Vegetable Oil, you will have a solution that will make it so easy to remove those sticky spots you find so many items.
- Polish Silver:
- Use electrochemistry to clean your silver. Store tarnished silver jewelry or cutlery in a mixture of 2c hot water, 2 T baking soda and a pinch of salt. Take the silver items, dip them in the water mixture then wrap them in aluminum foil. Note that this will only work for elemental silver, not stainless steel or chrome.
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