10 Uses for Baking Soda!

Don’t you just love a product that you can buy and use for practically everything?  My family does and that gave me an idea to start a series called “10 Uses For.”  Each time, I’ll choose something that does double duty around your home while also saving you money!  I decided to start with baking soda since it’s so versatile.

1.  Cleaning Products.  We use vinegar and baking soda to unclog our drains.  Just pour the baking soda down the drain and then slowly pour the vinegar down.  It really works.  A paste of baking soda and water can clean counter tops and stoves.  If you want scouring power, mix baking soda, kosher salt and liquid dish soap.

2.  Acne Preventer.  Mixing baking soda with honey and applying it for 15 minutes will help prevent acne and blemishes.

3.  Teeth whitener.  Dipping your toothbrush in baking soda will work as a natural teeth whitener.  You can also make your own toothpaste by combining baking soda, water and peppermint oil.

4.  Dry Dog Shampoo.  My dog has a natural pug odor so this stuff comes in handy.  You can find the recipe here.

5.  Coffeemaker and Dishwasher Cleaner.  Run a cycle with baking soda and water every once in awhile to clean your coffeemaker or dishwasher.

6.  Hair Help.  Using baking soda while shampooing and conditioning will make your hair resistant to split ends and will also remove styling product residue.

7.  Fruit and Veggie Wash.  Rubbing baking soda on fruits and vegetables and then rinsing with water will thoroughly wash them.

8.  Carpet Freshener.  Just mix baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil and sprinkle the mixture on your carpet.  Let it sit and then vacuum it up!

9.  Hairbrush Disinfectant.  Mixing 3 Tablespoons of baking soda with warm water and a drop of bleach will clean and disinfect your hairbrush.

10. Deodorant.  Yes, you can even make your own deodorant and it’s not even hard to do.  I wouldn’t use it on a day that you’re running a marathon but it’s great for everyday use.

DIY Deodorant

2 Tablespoons Baking Soda

6 Tablespoons Cornstarch

2-3 Tablespoons unrefined Coconut Oil

10-20 drops Essential Oil (Do NOT use a citrus scent)

10-20 drops Tea Tree Oil

1 empty, washed and dried deodorant container

Put your Baking Soda and Cornstarch in a medium-sized bowl and mix well.  Then add your essential oil and Tea Tree Oil.  Mix again, then add your Coconut Oil.   Mix this really well. Mine was hard to blend so I popped it in the microwave for a few seconds.  It then had an icing-like consistency, which was very easy to mix. It can also be crumbly.  Since either way, it will go into the container with no problems.  Pour your mixture into the container.  I continuously tapped my container so i didn’t have a ton of air bubbles.  The mixture will harden so make sure you don’t have any air bubbles. When it’s all packed and wiped down, put your deodorant into the freezer for about 10 minutes.  This will make it harden and make it easier to apply later.

There are so many more uses for baking soda too.  There are entire books devoted to it!  Try renting one from the library for more ideas.   I hope you enjoy these and please comment with any ideas for more ’10 Uses For’ posts!