The Amazing Potential of Baking Soda!

5 Great Ways to Use Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great all around and inexpensive product everyone should have in their home. It is often thought of in situations in cooking, but it is like the jack of all trades when it comes to cleaning and deodorizing. Baking soda can make your life easier in a variety of ways. Dr. Aaron Workman of one of the highest rated car accident medical care programs in Kentucky explains 5 ways baking soda can assist your daily routines.

1. Cleaning and Deodorizing Your Home

This stuff is a great natural cleaner and deodorizer. It is a safe and effective alternative to unknown chemicals you may be using on surfaces around your house. It has some abrasive qualities that makes it good for cleaning sinks, stove, and counter tops without worry about scratching them. Create a paste by mixing baking soda with a little water and use it to scrub away stains in the bathroom, kitchen, tiles, grout, and sinks.

It will deodorize and make your carpets and upholstery items smell clean. You can sprinkle baking soda on carpets, furniture, or even in shoes. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then vacuum or shake it off to remove odors. Baking soda naturally neutralizes odors, leaving your home smelling fresh and clean without artificial fragrances.

2. Freshen Your Refrigerator

If something is stinking up the fridge, a box of baking soda can ease the odor. If you open a box and place it at the back of your fridge, it can absorb and neutralize some of the bad smells. This occurs through it absorbing different types of molecules that cause the odor.  It is another inexpensive and easy method of keeping your fridge smelling fresh. A box will not last forever, and your nose may tell you when it is time to replace the box. This can be around 3 months, give or take, let your nose guide you.

If you have kids and their closets smell of funk, it can also be used in any small, enclosed spaces. If they have multiple shoes that are smelly, then they can be placed in a small tote with a fresh box of baking soda for odor absorption. This method works not only in the fridge but also in other small, enclosed spaces like pantries, cabinets, or closets.

3. Natural Toothpaste

Baking soda has long been used as a natural toothpaste and teeth whitener. It can help with plaque and surface stains without the harsh chemicals found in a lot of commercial products. You can either mix a small amount of baking soda with water to form a paste or simply dip your wet toothbrush in baking soda before brushing. For added flavor and antibacterial properties, you can also mix in a drop of peppermint oil. Since it is slightly abrasive, it can help polish your teeth, and it can neutralize acids in your mouth, which contributes to better oral hygiene. As with everything, do not overdo this. If you are using this all the time, it can wear down tooth enamel.

4. Soothe Skin Irritation

Baking soda’s alkaline properties make it an excellent remedy for soothing skin irritations like sunburn, bug bites, and mild rashes. You can add a quarter to half a cup of baking soda to a warm bath and soak for 15-20 minutes to help relieve sunburn pain and itching. Once you soak, follow up with appropriate moisturizer. If you need help with bug bites, you can use baking soda with water to form a paste and put it directly on the area to reduce itching and discomfort.

5. Unclog Minor Drain Issues

It can be a great solution for unclogging drains without using harsh chemicals. It works best when combined with vinegar. Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture fizz and bubble for about 15 minutes, then flush it with hot water. This combination helps break down grease, soap scum, and other debris clogging the drain.

Baking soda is a household staple for a reason. It should take a spot beside the hammer, screwdriver and flashlight as every home must have. From cleaning and deodorizing to soothing skin irritations and even freshening your teeth, it is an incredibly versatile and inexpensive product that can simplify many tasks.

— This article is written by Aaron Workman, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.

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