When I was little we always kept baking soda at home, so it was only natural that when I got married and moved out, I should also keep it in our shelves. Through the years, I have discovered many uses for this wonderful "home-must-have":
- I learned that before toothpaste existed or became popular, baking soda was widely used and teeth were... white and the mouths were fresh. I know that now, in this very era, some people use it once a week to keep their teeth white - others use a small amount of peroxide in water to rinse them. Works well! I have seen those teeth...
- Being an amateur gardener, many years ago I ended up in muddy soil and caught a fungus in one of my toe nails; the doctor prescribed some pills and a topical cream after ordering blood tests; I found this type of nail polish that promised to kill the invader but nothing worked. Finally, after losing the nail several times and having the podiatrist threaten to surgically remove it, I went to my local "natural" grocery store and bought Sphylantex - maybe I should have taken it orally, but I didn't... I applied it directly on the ugly subject for a few weeks; in addition I also put a dropper in the water to soak my feet at pedicure time. It worked! But, I decided I had to do something to keep fungi away; I remembered that when our children had a rash, I used to add a tablespoon of baking soda to their bathtub to change their skin's PH and it did work, so I decided to do the same to my feet; now every time I am going to have a pedicure, I put one Tbsp. of baking soda, about an ounce of peroxide (to keep the nails white) and a dropper of Pau D'Arco; mmhhh, perfect!
- And, how about that special mix against dandruff? See my posts on haircare.
- In January, my good friend Carmencita came to visit and I showed her my washing machine, wonderful appliance! Saves energy and water but gets this horrible smelly, mouldy ring that I could not get rid of. Guess what, she got an old toothbrush and... baking soda! Hoorray!
- Carmencita also told me she uses to clean her counter when it gets stained; also her refrigerator, her microwave, etc.
- My son Peter says that I should use it to clean my glass stove top instead of using those commercial chemicals that leave and everlasting smell and my hands coarse (obviously I don't use gloves). I am going to have to listen to him.
- Do you grow your own pumpkins, I just read that spraying each pumpkin with a mix of 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 of corn oil in 1 quart of water will keep fungus far away from your patch.
- I can also keep your suitcase smelling fresh.
- Remember to add a dash baking soda to your cup of hot water with cider vinegar for its neutralizing effects (refer to my reflux or sinus postings)
- Add some to your pet's bed, leave it for about one hour and then shake it off - it will be fresh.
- Use it to may play clay (not play dough): 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup cornstarch, 1 1/4 cups cold water and the food coloring of your choice; put dry ingredients and mix well, add water and food dye and set on the stove over medium hear stirring continuously for some 10 to 15 minutes; it should look a little like mashed potatoes. Be careful not to overcook. Let it cool on a plate at room temperature covered with a damp cloth. After cooling you can store it in the fridge in a plastic bag up to 8 days.
- Besides getting rid of your child's heat rash, if you add that tablespoon of baking soda to his/her bath, you can ease mild diaper burns, the itching caused by bug bites, sunburn, poison ivy and if he has chicken pox, you will find that baking soda could become your best friend!
- And, finally! Make a great scrub for your face, mix 2 heaping spoons of finally ground, uncooked oatmeal and 1 teaspoon of baking soda, add water a bit at a time until it is a nice manageable paste.
Talk to you soon!
