Baking Soda - Other Uses: Page 5

• dandruff fighter
  1 handful baking soda
  
  For problem dandruff, especially the kind that accompanies an oily scalp, try using straight baking soda (without shampoo) as another means for cleaner hair. To use, wet hair thoroughly and then work in a small handful for baking soda as you would shampoo, taking care to rub delicately near the scalp. Make sure to rinse thoroughly. While hair may feel dry after the first few washes, it will eventually take on a lovely luster.

• Removing Carpet Odors
  Get rid of unpleasant smells in carpet by dusting with baking soda or cornstarch and then vacuuming it up. 

• cleaning the garbage can
  Use a fairly strong solution of baking soda and warm water to wash the kitchen garbage can out. It will keep the smell down as well. This is good for all plastic and stainless steel cans.   

• all-natural fabric softener
  Juice of 4 lemons
  2 cups (500ml) cold water
  1 teaspoon (5g) baking soda
  
  For the freshest, cleanest linens and towels, turn to the remarkable power of lemons-not chemicals-to get the job done right. In a large plastic jar, combine the lemon juice with the cold water. Add the baking soda, cover, and shake well. Add the lemon mixture to the final rinse cycle and your sheets and towels will emerge feeling soft and smelling great. 

• cleaner most pots and pans
  1/4 cup (55g) baking soda
  2 to 3 cups (500 to 750ml) water
  
  If you have a dirty pot to contend with, reach for the baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda on the bottom and add the water. Bring to a boil and simmer for a few minutes; the baking soda will significantly loosen the mess. Let cool, and your scrubbing job will be much easier. Don't however, try this formula on aluminum pots (including the popular anodized aluminum types), as baking soda will react with the metal and could damage the finish. 

• Yellowed Linens brightener
  1 gallon (4 liters) water 1/4 cup (55g) baking soda 1 tablespoon (18g) salt Whitening yellowed linens with a commercial bleach solution can seriously weaken the fabric fibers. Instead, try this gentle, easy method for brightening them: Bring the water to a gentle boil in a large pot. Add the baking soda and salt and stir until dissolved. Add your yellowed linens and boil gently for an hour, making sure the fabric is completely submerged. Drain and rinse the linens thoroughly in cool water. For best results, allow to air dry in direct sunlight. You can double or triple the formula for larger items.  

• easy iron cleaner
  1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar
  1/2 cup (125ml) water
  1 tablespoon (14g) baking soda (optional)
  
  A dirty iron can spell disaster when burned-on buildup of starch and hard water deposits leave a stain on freshly laundered fabric. To keep your iron in prime condition, combine the water and vinegar, along with the baking soda if the iron is especially dirty. Wet an old but clean towel with the mixture and then iron the towel until the plate of the iron is clean. Most manufacturers advise against putting anything except distilled water in an iron's reservoir, so don't use this formula from the inside out! 

• stainless steel appliance cleaner
  1 small spoonful baking soda
  
  Stainless steel appliances are popular in part because they tolerate heat well, resist germs, and look great, but they do require careful cleaning. For most messes, baking soda is the perfect cleaner for the job because it won't scratch the metal. To use, put a small spoonful on a damp sponge and squeeze the sponge a few times to form a thick paste. Rub lightly on stainless steel in the direction of the grain. Make sure to rinse thoroughly and buff with a dry paper towel to remove water spots. 

• removing grime from furniture
  Dirt and grime can be easily removed from woodwork with a solution of 1 cup (225ml) of ammonia, 2/3 cup (150ml) of distilled vinegar, and 2 1/2 tablespoons (30g) of baking soda dissolved in warm water. This solution will not dull the finish or leave streaks. Be careful of the smell when you mix these together.    

• automatic shoe freshener
  1 cup (220g) baking soda, divided
  
  If you or your loved ones are bothered by the smell of shoes after you've worn them, here's a great method for getting rid of the offensive odors. Take an old pair of clean cotton socks (no holes in the toes, please) and fill each one with 1/2 cup (110g) baking soda. Shake gently to make sure most of the powder inside. Place one sock in each shoe at the end of the day, and the baking soda will help absorb moisture and neutralize the odors. Replace every month. 

• sticky mess cleaner
  3 spoonfuls baking soda
  
  Reorganizing the kitchen cupboards can be a gratifying task until you come across a sticky mess stuck to a shelf. Before you haul out the scrub brush and a slew of cleaners, consider sprinkling a few spoonfuls of baking soda in the mess. Owning to the delicate scrubbing power of baking soda, you should be able to get away with just a damp sponge treatment. Make sure to rinse thoroughly with fresh water. 

• Dishwasher powder
  Instead of using a commercial brand of dishwashing detergent, try mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with two tablespoons of borax for a load.  

• laundry detergent booster
  1/2 cup (110g) baking soda
  
  Do you want whiter whites, brighter brights, and all of the wonderful benefits that laundry detergents usually promise? Well, if you've purchased brand that isn't living up to your expectations, baking soda can save the day. Add 1/2 cup (110g) to the wash cycle and your clothes really will come out a little perkier. If your clothes aren't particularly soiled, you may even be able to use less detergent with the baking soda boost because baking soda maintains a neutral pH level in the water, enabling the detergent to perform at its absolute best. Tip: Baking soda works best with liquid detergents as opposed to powdered.  

• home manicure or pedicure soak
  1/4 cup (55g) baking soda
  2 quarts (2 liters) warm water
  
  If you have dry cuticles and rough spots, take a few minutes to treat your hands and feet to the royal treatment by first soaking them in a warm baking soda solution for 10 minutes. After you've done soaking, tackle calluses with a pumice stone and push back your cuticles. And don't forget to moisturize when you're through!

• Creamy Soft Scrub
  2 cups baking soda
  ½ cup liquid castile soap
  4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin (acts as a preservative)
  5 drops antibacterial essential oil such as lavender, tea tree, rosemary or any scent you prefer (optional)
  
  Mix together and store in a sealed glass jar, shelf life of 2 years.
  
  Tips: For exceptionally tough jobs spray with vinegar first—full strength or diluted, scented—let sit and follow with scrub.
  
  Dry soft scrubs can be made with baking soda or salt (or combination of both) with 10-15 drops essential oil to scent   

• gentle facial scrub
  1 small spoonful baking soda
  1 quarter-size dollop facial cleanser
  
  Sloughing away dead skin cells is an excellent way to polish the skin and reveal a brighter, smoother complexion. If you're prone to dry skin, try boosting the scrubbing capacity of your favorite face wash once a week: Mix the usual amount of cleaner with a small spoonful of baking soda in the palm of your hand. Wash as usual, applying very little pressure as you let your fingerprints move in small circular patterns. The baking soda will gently scrub your skin. Make sure to rinse thoroughly and pat dry (do not use on broken or irritated skin). 

• oil spill absorber
  1 16-ounce box (454g) baking soda
  1 16-ounce box (454g) cornmeal
  
  If you car is leaking a little oil, you're most likely to see the evidence on your garage floor or driveway. Fortunately, the cleanup will be easy (and cheap) to tackle with this formula-unlike the leak itself. Mix the baking soda and cornmeal in a large plastic container (the amounts here should be enough for several spills). Sprinkle lightly on a fresh spill to soak it up. Let dry overnight, then sweep or use a shop-vac to get rid of it in the morning. 

• Freezers
  Use Baking Soda and water when the spare freezer in the garage has been off, or we've stored various family members' freezers etc. Cleaning with baking soda and warm water has always kept the units fresh-as long as the door is kept propped open.
  
  If you defrost the freezer, wait for all the ice to melt, then wipe carefully with warm water solution and let it dry thoroughly. Restart the freezer... and close the door!  

• Dishwashers
  Baking soda will remove that nasty, crusty buildup you get on the inside of the door. Use as a paste and rinse off before running the machine. Try using baking soda instead of the usual powder or tablet once in a while to clean the dishwasher, too. 

• stuffed animal cleaner
  1/2 cup (110g) baking soda
  
  Many plush toys are not safe in the washing machine, which makes the problem of cleaning them all the more challenging. To rid stuffed animals of unpleasant odors, place them in a plastic bag with 1/2 cup (110g) baking soda. Shake the bag gently and let sit overnight. In the morning, brush the baking soda off the toy and it should smell noticeably fresher.