Baking Soda - Other Uses: Page 3

• all-purpose baking soda cleaner
  1 cup (250ml) warm water
  1/4 cup (60ml) dishwashing liquid
  1 16-ounce box (454g) baking soda
  
  A simple squirt of this all-purpose cleansing scrub and a damp sponge are all you need to clean most non-porous surfaces around the house, like counter tops, sinks, tubs, and toilets. Start by putting the warm water in a large mixing bowl and stirring in the dishwashing liquid (stir slowly to avoid creating a lot of bubbles). Next, add the box of baking soda and stir until the mixture forms a smooth, uniform consistency. Transfer the mixture to a jar and use as needed around the house (wait 30 minutes before putting a lid on the fresh batch to let the carbon dioxide bubbles escape). Tip: Be forewarned that the solution will separate between uses, but if you set the jar upside down for a few minutes, the layers will loosen; you can then follow up by giving the contents a gentle stir. (

• refrigerator odor eater
  1 16-ounce (454g) baking soda
  
  Baking soda's use as a refrigerator deodorizer is probably most familiar. It's deodorizing properties can do wonders to control food odors. Open the top of a box and place it in the back of the refrigerator of freezer. Replace every 1 to 2 months for best results.

• cleaning the exterior of white goods
  All exteriors of white goods, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and freezers, will benefit from a wipe over now and again with a cloth soaked in baking soda and warm water. Greasy marks and dust will quickly disappear. 

• Clogged Drains
  1/2 Cup Salt
  1 cup Baking Soda
  1 qt of Boiling Water
  
  When you kitchen sink is slow to empty, it may be result of sludge buildup in the pipes.
  
  Pour 1st the salt down the drain, followed by the baking soda.
  
  Let this mixture sit for several hours (over night if possible.
  
  Pour boiling water down the drain to flush out sediment. 

• swimmer's hair prevention
  1 12-ounce (355ml) bottle spring water
  2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice
  2 tablespoons (28g) baking soda
  
  Long summer days spent cooling off in a chlorinated pool can impart a slight green tint to blond hair, a condition aptly known as "swimmer's hair." To rid your hair of chlorine after a dip in the pool, add the lemon juice to a bottle of spring water (take a few sips of water to leave room for the juice). Then stash in your swim bag along with a small plastic bag with the baking soda. After swimming, add the baking soda to the lemon water and shake well. Apply to your freshly shampooed hair, then rinse thoroughly and towel dry. 

• Cleaning the refrigerator
  I've always used baking soda solution to clean the inside of the refrigerator. For refrigerators that you had to turn off and defrost from time to time, I always wiped the trays and shelves with a strong solution. As well as cleaning up greasy marks it removes any odors from spills, milk bottle bottoms, and cheesy whiffs. With the larder fridge we have now, I remove any uncovered food, wipe down with paper kitchen towel before putting the food back in.
  
  If you are planning on turning off your refrigerator while you are away on a long vacation, or are moving house and need to leave it switched off for a while, using baking soda is a good way to save time and prevent mold from forming. I use it to clean out the fridge-freezer in our home in France when we leave each time, leaving the doors open and the power off. The only time we went back to black moldy deposits in the freezer was when a helpful workman closed the freezer door (to be fair, he did think he was doing us a favor) and I hadn't given the shelves the treatment. On return, a quick wipe over with a solution of baking soda in cold water was all that was needed before starting up the unit again. Any stubborn stains that have sat at the back of the refrigerator for a while may be removed with a tablespoon of baking soda mixed with a squeeze of toothpaste. 

• stovetop fire fighter
  1 cup (220g) baking soda
  
  Keep a box of baking soda in the cabinet nearest the stove in case your pan has a flare-up during cooking. To use, quickly cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of your baking soda (about 1 cup or 220g) and place a lid on top. Do not try to wash out the pan until it is completely cool, and never pour water on a grease fire. 

• Removing Splinters
  Remove a splinter easily by applying a paste of baking soda and water, then waiting several minutes for the splinter to pop out of the skin. 

• cat box deodorizer
  1 cup (220g) baking soda
  
  There's no need to buy the more expensive fragrance-filled brands of cat litter when you have some extra baking soda in the house. Fill the litter box halfway with cat litter and then spread a layer of baking soda (about 1 cup or 220g), followed by another layer of litter. 

• Collars, Cuffs and Stains
  Make a thick paste of vinegar and backing soda and pre-treat stains before washing normally. 

• locker room deodorizer
  1 16-ounce box (454g) baking soda
  
  If you frequent the gym and maintain a personal locker, the damp conditions from the showers can make the contents of your locker all the more odorous. To keep odors at bay, keep a box of baking soda in the back of your gym locker. And don't forget that baking soda can work double duty for you. If foot odors are a particular problem, for example, try sprinkling a little baking soda into your shoes before placing them in your locker. 

• Pots and pans with baked-on deposit (Note: not nonstick)
  For really burned-on grease and grime you can try the full assault. Remove what burned-on food you can, then pour a layer of baking soda onto the bottom of the pan and use just enough water to moisten the soda. Let stand until the next day, then scrub clean. 

• carpet cleaner for pet vomit
  2 or 3 handfuls baking soda
  
  A sick pet can lead to all kinds of undesirable stains-from grass to bile to whatever was most recently in the food bowl- so make it a point to have some baking soda on hand for fast action. Start by sprinkling baking soda on the mess to neutralize the acids and absorb some of the liquid. Let the baking soda dry, then scrape or vacuum it up. Follow up with a splash of club soda if any stains remain and blot dry. Note: Whatever you do, don't scrub it while it's wet, as this can drive the stain deeper into the fibers. 

• Collars and cuffs
  Vinegar
  Baking soda
  
  Collars and cuffs can be cleaned by rubbing a thick paste of baking soda and vinegar onto the stains before washing in the usual way. 

• diaper rash soother
  3 tablespoons (42g) baking soda
  Lukewarm water
  
  A baby's tender skin can be ultra-sensitive to uric acid (a product of urine), resulting in an uncomfortable rash that can make wearing a diaper quite unpleasant. To relieve the sting, try bathing your baby in between diaper changes. Prepare a lukewarm bath and mix in 3 tablespoons (42g) baking soda. Afterwards, let the affected area air-dry before diapering (apply a barrier of ointment to afford the skin an opportunity to heal). Repeat as often as possible until the rash clears up.

• refreshing a vacuum flask
  To clean out an old vacuum flask add a teaspoon of baking soda and fill with warm water. Let steep for a while then rinse out with cold water. 

• fruit and vegetable shelf-life extender
  1/4 cup (55g) baking soda
  2 paper towels
  
  Humidity is the bane of your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Too much moisture provides an opportunity for microscopic spores on fruits and vegetables to grow more quickly, a problem that can ultimately result in spoiled produce. To help keep conditions in your crisper on the dry side, stack 2 paper towels in the bottom of the drawer and sprinkle 1/4 cup (55g) baking soda in between them. Replace every week or so when you replenish your produce. 

• fruit and vegetable bath
  1 gallon (4 liters) 1/4 cup (55g) baking soda
  
  When you come home from the farmers' market and have a basket full of produce to wash before storing, consider a baking soda bath to make your task easier. Combine the water and baking soda in the sink. Add your vegetables, swish them around, and let them have a brief soak, To remove the bitter taste of baking soda, make sure to follow up with a thorough rinse. 

• fruit and vegetable wash
  1 cup (250ml) water
  2 tablespoons (28g) baking soda
  1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
  
  All produce needs a thorough washing before use, especially cucumbers and tomatoes, which typically have a waxy coating that can trap pesticides and other potentially harmful residues. Though there are plenty of produce washes on the market, you can skip the expense and whip up a homemade batch of your own. Fill a small spray bottle with the water, baking soda, and lemon juice (make sure to strain the juice if you're squeezing it fresh). Give the mixture a shake to ensure it's combined well, and then you're good to go. Spray on fruits and vegetables just before prepping or eating. To remove the bitter taste of baking soda, make sure to rinse the produce thoroughly with fresh water once you're done. Your homemade produce wash should last about 1 week.

• red wine remedy for carpets
  2 or 3 handfuls baking soda
  
  Red wine has a fantastic ability to stain, owing to its acidic nature and abundance of colorful plant compounds. Whatever you do, don't rush to blot a spill for you may inadvertently drive the stain deeper into the pile of the carpet. Instead, cover the area thoroughly with baking soda and let it absorb the liquid, then scoop up the baking soda. Apply a fresh layer of baking soda and let dry overnight. Then simply vacuum in the morning.