Uses for Baking Soda
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an alkaline white powder often found in modern kitchens. Its popularity is largely credited to Arm & Hammer — a brand created in 1846 by brothers-in-law Dr. Austin Church and John Dwight. It’s considered a versatile product for good reason. Here are just some of its many uses.
As a Produce Wash Forget the pricey, fancy produce washes on the market. Soaking apples in baking soda and water for 12 to 15 minutes removes 80 to 96 percent of pesticides, better than tap water. Baking soda helps degrade certain pesticides so that they can be washed away.
As a Natural Cleaner Baking soda and water are an effective, nonabrasive cleaner. One use: to wipe away old food residue from the inside of a refrigerator. You can also sprinkle baking soda down the drain with hot water to freshen up your pipes, clean your tubs, sinks, and shower curtain, and buff out scuff marks from floors. It’s also a top-notch deodorizer. Sprinkle baking soda on a carpet, let it sit, then vacuum it up.
To Safely Clean Pots and Pans When cooked food sticks to pans, the American Cleaning Institute recommends adding baking soda, filling them with hot water, and soaking them for 15 to 30 minutes. It helps lift the crusty food pieces.
To Wash Clothes Half a cup of baking soda in your washing machine’s rinse cycle cleans clothes without using other products.
To Help Ease Heartburn Add half a teaspoon to a full glass of water and drink for occasional heartburn. The alkaline baking soda will neutralize excess acid. Use it only as directed on the label or by a medical professional or pharmacist. Do not rely on it for frequent symptoms or for more than two weeks without medical guidance. People with high blood pressure, heart issues, kidney disease, or a sodium-restricted diet should talk to their doctor before trying it.
To Care for Bug Bites You know that annoying itchiness from bug bites? Rather than reach for hydrocortisone cream, apply baking soda paste (mix baking soda with a little water until it thickens to the right consistency) to the bite several times a day, suggests Mayo Clinic.
To Care for Your Teeth During Pregnancy Morning sickness happens. Along with the discomfort of queasiness, the stomach acid that goes along with vomiting can wear away at your tooth enamel. If you’re saddled with occasional or regular vomiting, rinse your mouth with 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water.
You can also do this when sickness (like food poisoning) is causing vomiting.
To Ease Discomfort During Cancer Treatment Swishing your mouth with baking soda, salt, and water may ease throat discomfort caused by radiation or chemotherapy. This mixture may also help prevent mouth sores from getting infected. Make sure to gargle the solution — don’t swallow it. The American Cancer Society recommends checking with your cancer care team before using any mouth rinses because they can sometimes be harmful or make mouth sores worse.
