Baking Soda - Other Uses: Page 1
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Sprinkle toilet bowl with baking soda, drizzle with vinegar, let soak for at least 30 minutes and scrub with toilet brush.
Tip: Let ingredients soak for a while to make for easy scrubbing, especially on persistent stains like toilet bowl rings.
- coffeemakers
Running baking soda and water through the machine will give it a good clean and refresh it. Rinse with plenty of clear water afterward to remove all traces of the baking soda.
- hairbrush deep cleaner
3 tablespoon (42g) baking soda
3 tablespoons (45ml) vinegar
warm water
Hairbrushes and combs need a deep clean every now and then to remove the buildup of styling products and oil that can accumulate; otherwise, a dirty brush can make for dirtier hair as you inadvertently put small amounts of those materials back into your hair every time you use it! To get your beauty tools spic-and-span the all-natural way, start by placing them in the sink and sprinkling them with the baking soda. Pour the vinegar over them and let them bubble and fizz for a few minutes. Fill the sink with warm water and let the brushes soak for a few hours. Rinse thoroughly, taking care to remove any trapped hair, and allow to air-dry.
- make a soda bottle
4 or 5 generous spoonfuls baking soda
4 or 5 squares toilet paper
1 20-ounce (591ml) plastic bottle (empty)
1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar
Here's a fun activity to make a kiddie pool seem even more exciting: Lay 4 or 5 squares of toilet paper on a table and put a generous spoonful of baking soda in the middle of each. Working one sheet at time, gather the four corners together, twist loosely to secure the contents, and gently push the bundle through the mouth of an empty 20-ounce (591ml) plastic bottle. When all of the bundles are in the bottle, top it off with 1/4 (60ml) vinegar and give the bottle cap one simple twist so that it is not tightly secured. Lay the bottle on its side in the pool or bathtub, then watch it skim along the surface as the chemical reaction inside sends millions of bubbles shooting out the back (the loosely capped end). Tip: Add marbles to weigh down the bottle opening so that the back end is in the water.
- holiday ornament care
1 16-ounce box (454g) baking soda
Those family keepsakes that we hold so dear-holiday ornaments-are especially vulnerable to developing musty odors during the off-months if they're kept in a place susceptible to dampness (e.g., the basement or back of a closet). To minimize the chance of an unpleasant unpacking, consider placing a box (454g) baking soda in the storage container before putting away holiday decorations. If you find that things are stale, try sealing them in a plastic bag for a few days with 2 tablespoons (28g) baking soda to neutralize the smell.
- Laundry Detergent
1 cup soap flakes
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup baking soda
1-2 tbsp. oxygen bleach (optional for extra whitening power)
Soap flakes can be made by grating your favorite pure vegetable soap with a cheese grater. Mix ingredients together and store in a glass container.
Use 1 tablespoon per load (2 for heavily soiled laundry), wash in warm or cold water
For soft water: use 1 cup soap flakes, 1/4 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup baking soda.
For hard water: use 1 cup soap flakes, 1 cup washing soda, and 1 cup baking soda.
- super simple sink cleaner
1 tablespoon (14g) baking soda
1 teaspoon (5ml) lemon juice
2 tablespoons (30ml) vinegar (optional)
It's easy to keep porcelain sinks sparkling clean with this all-natural, germ-fighting combination: To begin, place the baking soda in a small pile in the sink. Pour the lemon juice on top and watch it start to bubble. Stir with your finger to form a paste, then lightly rub the paste over the entire sink with a damp sponge. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water. For an extra sanitizing measure, pour the vinegar on the sponge and use it to give everything one last wipe down. (the vinegar scent will fade as it dries).
- baby bottles
These can be cleaned with a solution of baking soda and water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.
- Skunked dog cleaner
1 quart (1 liter) hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup (55g) baking soda
1 teaspoon (5ml) dish soap
There is simply no way to describe the smell of a freshly skunked dog. Fortunately, you can turn that smell into a distant memory with the amazing combination of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Mix the peroxide with the baking soda and dish soap in a large plastic bucket (do not store the mixture in a sealed container- it will produce a lot of bubbles and explode). Wear latex gloves and bathe your dog outside, if possible. Take care to work the mixture into the fur, concentrating on the areas sprayed, while keeping it away from your dog's face and eyes. Let stand for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with fresh water. See your vet if your dog shows any sign of injury (some skunks are rabid).
- lemon sachet
1 cotton handkerchief
1 cup (220g) baking soda
zest of 1 lemon
6-inch (15cm) piece of ribbon
Sachets are a nice easy to keep spaces that are often dark and closed up, like drawers, storage containers, and closets, smelling fresh and sweet. If you don't care for sewing, you can easily and quickly fashion a sachet out of a plain cotton handkerchief and some ribbon. Lay the handkerchief on a flat work surface. Combine the baking soda and zest in a small bowl. Put the mixture in the middle of the handkerchief and gather the four corners of the handkerchief together so that the mixture assumes the shape of a ball. Twist the gathered corners and tie with the ribbon just above the ball.
- air freshener
Use a teaspoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 2 1/2 cups (570ml) of water. After it stops foaming, mix well and use in a spray bottle.
- homemade deodorant
1/2 cup (110g) baking soda
1/2 cup (65g) corn starch
Most commercial antiperspirants contain chemicals, such as aluminum, that control perspiration by blocking pores so they can't release sweat. If you'd prefer a more natural way to control body odor, consider whipping up a batch of homemade deodorant powder to neutralize odors. Mix the baking soda and cornstarch and store in a shaker-style container. (The amount should last a month or so.) Sprinkle a small amount on a damp washcloth and pat onto underarms (do not rinse afterwards). Tip: Add finely ground dried lavender to add a pleasant, natural scent to the powder.
- baby clothes and cloth diaper cleaner
1/2 cup (110g) baking soda
fragrance-free liquid laundry detergent
1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar
Baking soda is a great laundry aid for baby clothes because it helps neutralize the strong acids present in the bodily fluids of babies. Plus, being fragrance-free and water-soluble, it dissolves completely in the laundry water and doesn't leave behind harsh chemicals that can irritate a baby's delicate skin. To use, add the baking soda to the wash cycle along with the detergent. Add the vinegar to the rinse cycle to leave clothes naturally softened and ensure that all the detergent is properly removed.
- nonstick cookware cleaner
2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice
1 teaspoon (5g) baking soda
Sometimes a simple wash in hot, sudsy water doesn't remove all the foul that's left on a nonstick pan, especially if it's been used for frying. Eventually, thin layers of leftover oil will build up and become a gummy residue, causing food to stick when cooking. To ensure that your nonstick cookware stays truly clean, make a habit of regularly cleaning it with a bit of lemon and baking soda. Pour the lemon juice into the bottom of a just-cleaned pan and add the baking soda. Use a nylon-coated sponge to gently scrub. Rinse thoroughly with hot water.
- removing hard water stains
Water stains are another common occurrence if you live in a hard water area. Use baking soda, sprinkled onto the stain, and then wipe clean with vinegar. Remember to watch out for the fizz!
- Make objects swim
2 teaspoons (9g) baking soda
Tall clear plastic or glass container
Water
Vinegar
Food coloring
Various small objects (rice, raisins, small pieces of dried pasta, pieces of fruit)
This fun science experiment shows how carbon dioxide helps objects swim. When baking soda (a base) and vinegar (an acid) are combined, a chemical reaction occurs that produces carbon dioxide. To start, almost fill the container with three parts water and one part vinegar. Slowly and carefully add 1 teaspoon baking soda. This is going to react with the vinegar so be ready for some fizzing and a possible overflow. Once the fizzing dies down, slowly and carefully add the second teaspoon of baking soda, and follow up with the food coloring once the bubbles settle. With the added food coloring, you will see the liquid moving. Drop in an object. It will most likely sink, but once enough bubbles attach to it (thanks to the carbon dioxide!), it will swim. Keep experimenting with different items to watch how they move. TIP: If the movement appears to be slowing down, slowly add carefully add another teaspoon of baking soda.
- Removing Stains from Bathroom surfaces
You can remove stains from most bathroom surfaces by applying a paste of baking soda and water; let sit for a few minutes then scrub or wipe clean.
- drain cleaner
Vinegar and baking soda cause a chemical reaction when combined, so be prepared. They break down fatty acids from grease, other foods, and a buildup of soap into simpler substances. Pour 1/4 cup (2 oz) of baking soda and 2/3 (150ml) of vinegar into the drain. Cover, if possible, while the solution fizzes. Follow this with a bucketful of very hot water.
- Brass cleaner
1/2 lemon
1 tablespoon (14g) baking soda
It's easy to fashion half of a lemon into an amazingly effective yet gentle all-natural scrubber for tarnished brass. To use, sprinkle the cut side of the lemon half with the baking soda and rub over tarnished brass objects. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a clean soft cloth.
No comments:
Post a Comment