Baking soda is one of those products that everyone has in their home – or should have, for that matter. You’ll find baking soda enhanced products like dish detergent, laundry detergent, toothpaste, etc., but there are so many ways to use just your basic, generic baking soda at home to help you save money. Not to mention, in some cases it could be a better alternative to buying expensive household products. Essentially, baking soda is AMAZING and here are some ways to utilize that box lying around somewhere in your kitchen:

PERSONAL CARE

• Freshen your mouth. Put one tsp in half a glass of water and use as a mouthwash — swish, spit, rinse. Odors are neutralized by the baking soda, not just covered up!
• Treat insect bites and itchy skin. For insect bites, make a paste of baking soda and water and apply to bite. For itchy skin, shake baking soda onto your hand and rub into damp skin after bathing.
• Soothe your feet. Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water and soak/scrub your feet!

CLEANING

• Make a surface soft scrub. For easy surface cleaning of your tub, tile, sinks, countertops, etc., sprinkle baking soda onto a clean, damp sponge. Scrub, rinse and wipe dry. For tough cleans, make a paste with baking soda, salt and liquid dish soap and let it sit before wiping/scrubbing it off. (I’ve actually used this scrub — not with the salt, but with water — on my stovetop and it is AMAZING. Got out the toughest buildup. I also used a toothbrush to help the process.)
• Polish silver flatware. Make a baking soda paste: 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge, rinse thoroughly and dry.
• Remove marks on walls and furniture by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth. (Who needs magic erasers?)

DEODORIZING

• Deodorize your cutting board. How many times have you been left with a smelly cutting board after cutting onions? Sprinkle the board with baking soda, scrub and rinse.
• Deodorize drains. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain while running warm water. It neutralized acid and basic odors for a fresh drain!
• Freshen your linens. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle for fresher sheets and towels! So easy.

MORE AMAZING STUFF

• Going camping? No problem! Baking soda can be used as a dish waster, pot scrubber, hand cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste and fire extinguisher — just to name a few.
• Extinguish kitchen fires! When baking soda is heated, it gives off carbon dioxide, which helps smother flames. Throw some handfuls of baking soda at the flames to help put out the fire.
• Fruit and veggie scrub. Sprinkle a little baking soda on a clean, damp sponge, scrub and rinse to clean dirt and residue off your produce.

These are just a few of the many uses for baking soda! View the full list at Care2.com.

Have any baking soda tips or tricks? Share with us!
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