The 50+ Uses Of Bicarbonate Soda
Bicarbonate or baking soda has to be the most useful thing on the planet… from cooking to cleaning to medicinal cures, it’s a very handy product to have in your B&B cupboard!
1. Clean a stove
Sprinkle baking soda on the stove then spray hot water to dissolve the baking soda and soak for 30 minutes before scrubbing clean.
2. Fix a pan
Soak crusty pans in a two inch layer of baking soda and boiling water to remove the mess.
3. Remove a coffee stain
Get mugs gleaming again by rubbing the stained inside with a cloth soaked in baking powder and hot water.
4. Reboot a microwave
Place a bowl with baking soda and water inside the microwave, then heat for 3 – 5 minutes. Wait for the steam to work then wipe off dirt with a damp cloth.
5. Take off a sticker
Mix baking soda and water into a thick paste then scrub to remove left over glue and sticker pieces.
6. Freshen a fridge
Keep your fridge smelling nice after cleaning with an open container of baking soda inside.
7. Make an air freshener
Mix two cups of hot water with 1/8 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup lemon juice, shake to dissolve – then spray when needed.
8. Flush a drain
Throw a cup of baking soda down the clogged drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Put the plug in and wait for half an hour then rinse with boiling water.
9. Refresh a book
Sprinkle baking soda on musky books and let air in the sun to remove the damp smells.
10. Revive a mattress
Strip the sheets then sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda directly on the mattress. Leave sit for a few hours then vacuum up.
11. Freshen a carpet
Sprinkle carpets with baking soda and leave to sit for a few hours, then vacuum up.
12. Fix hard water
Add baking soda to the wash as a laundry booster, 1/2 cup per load.
13. Remove a blood stain
Steep material for a few hours in cold water with a pinch of baking soda added.
14. Clean a curling iron
Get rid of greasy hair products by scrubbing with a paste of baking soda and water.
15. Brighten up a tile
Mix 3 cups baking soda and 1 cup water and scrub grout clean with a sponge. Leave for a few minutes then rinse clean.
16. Clean a toilet bowl
Sprinkle 1 cup baking soda into the toilet and top with 1 cup vinegar. Allow to fizz for 10 minutes then use a toilet brush to scrub clean.
17. Prevent a deodorant stain
Apply baking soda to your underarms after applying deodorant…
18. Shine brass
Clean with a wedge of lemon sprinkled with baking soda to bring out the shine.
19. Remove a crayon scribble
Make a paste of baking soda and water then use it to gently scrub the marks on a wall.
20. Banish a stain on marble or granite
Spray with water, spread with a paste made from baking soda and water then cover with plastic wrap and allow to set for 24 hours.
21. Defrost a path
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on icy patches on walkways to make a slip free zone.
22. Deodorize a fish
Soak fish in baking soda before cooking to remove unwanted fishy smells and funny tastes.
23. Make a sports drink
Add baking soda to boiled water, salt and squash for a cheap alternative to Powerade.
24. Tenderize meat
Rub into meat then rinse before cooking to tenderize.
25. Wash your hair
Add a teaspoon to your shampoo to combat pollution and product residue on the scalp.
26. Cure indigestion
Baking soda works like antacid – just take with water.
27. Fix a sting
Spread a water and baking soda paste on skin stung by a bee or jellyfish to draw out the poison.
28. Relieve a stuffy nose
Add a teaspoon to a vaporizer to help bring breathing back to normal.
29. Remove a skunk stink
House or pet had a battle with a skunk? Bathe or soak in baking soda to remove all the smell.
30. Keep cut flowers fresh
Sprinkle a teaspoon in the water in a vase to keep flowers fresher.
31. Get ride of acne
Use a mix of three parts baking soda with one part water like face wash. Moisturise immediately after.
32. Build a volcano
Have fun with kids with a baking soda volcano.
33. Reduce acidity
Add to tomato sauces or brewing coffee to bring down the acidity.
34. Get rid of feet infections
Sprinkle in socks and shoes to combat nasty fungal infections.
35. Soothe a rash
Add a tablespoon to a hot basin or bath of water to soothe anything from poison ivy to nappy rash.
36. Deodorize a pet
Sprinkle on a pet grooming brush and work through the fur to remove unwanted smells.
37. Put out a fire
Small fires on rugs, clothing or wood can be put out with a handful of baking soda…
38. Make scented sachets
Mix bath salts with baking soda and put in little sachet bags, then leave in cupboards and drawers around the house to smell fresh.
39. Fix a battery
Add a baking soda and water mix to a corroded car battery to dissolve the corrosion and wipe away.
40. Repel ants and cockroaches
Put under the sink and in the basement to discourage ants and cockroaches from coming in the house.
41. Dissolve a kidney stone
Drink a baking soda mix to make urine less acidic and prevent and dissolve uric acid stones.
42. Treat a sunburn
Make a paste of baking soda and water to soothe the burnt area.
43. Absorb bad odours
Leave in open containers around the house to soak up smoking or pet smells.
44. Wash chemicals from fruit and veg
Rinse fruit and veg in water with three teaspoons of baking soda added to more effectively remove pesticides.
45. Clean a dishwasher
Run a dishwasher through its cycle on empty with baking soda instead of soap.
46. Make play clay
Mix 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups soda and 1 cup cornstarch to make a fun clay kids can play with.
47. Remove a wine stain
Banish wine stains from carpets by sprinkling the area with baking soda. Dab and leave until the wine is absorbed, then vacuum up any residue left.
48. Soak tired feet
Add three tablespoons to a basin of warm water and relax with your feet soaking.
49. Decrease a barbecue
Make a paste of equal parts soda and water and apply with a wire brush.
50. Stop animals eating a garden
Sprinkle around flower beds to discourage rabbits and other animals from chomping on your plants.
That’s 50 uses of baking soda… can you think of any we’ve missed?
Image: katerha on Flickr.com
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Category: B&B Management, Inspiration
