Buddy Friday - 50 + 1 uses for Baking Soda/Bicarbonate of Soda

Thought this might be of use, as I am using a lot around the house now.

1. Put an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb the odors.

2. Improve the smell of dish clothes by soaking them in baking soda and water.

3. Sprinkle it onto your cat’s litter box to absorb the bad odor.

4. Sprinkle it on your pet’s comb or brush to deodorize their fur and skin.

5. Dissolve a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in water in a microwave safe bowl, then bring to the boil in your microwave. Allow to sit for a minute or two, then you should easily be able to wipe out any baked on stains, plus your oven will microwave will smell fresher too.

6. Wash chemicals and pesticides off fruits and vegetables in a pot filled with water and 3 - 4 tablespoons of baking soda added.

7. Stains on porcelain sinks, toilets and plastics can be removed by applying a layer of baking soda and then using a damp sponge . I found this to work particularly well on a water stain in a sink that couldn't be shifted otherwise without the use of heavy duty chemicals and scratching the surface.

8. As an alternative to caustic soda for clearing blocked drains, throw a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a couple of jugs of boiling water.

9. Wash garbage cans with baking soda.

10. Wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers with baking soda and water to get rid of stale smells.

11. Run your coffee maker through its cycle with a baking soda solution. Rinse.

12. Polish silverware with dry baking soda on a damp cloth. Rub, rinse and dry.

13. For a badly-burned pan with a thick layer of burned-on food: pour a thick layer of baking soda directly onto the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water so as to moisten the baking soda. Leave the pot overnight, then scrub it clean next day.

14. Soak your shower curtains in water and baking soda to clean them.

15. Sprinkle baking soda on your wet toothbrush and brush your teeth and dentures with it.

16. Apply baking soda directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy to relieve discomfort. Make a paste with water.

17. Take 1/2-teaspoon of baking soda in one-half glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.

18. To relieve sunburn: use a paste of baking soda and water.

19. Reduce odor build-up in your dishwasher by sprinkling some baking soda on the bottom.

20. Run your dishwasher through its cycle with baking soda in it instead of soap to give it a good cleaning.

21.Making Play Clay with baking soda: combine 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch/cornflour.

22. Oil and grease -- stained clothing washes out better with baking soda added to the washing water.

23. Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by putting 4 tablespoons of soda in them each week. Flush the soda down with hot water.

24. To remove burned-on food from a pan: let the pan soak in baking soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.

25. Add baking soda to water to soak dried beans to make them more digestible.

26. Oven Cleaner Dampen the floor of the oven, sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda and dampen again. Leave the mixture overnight and then remove with a cloth. Rinse with hot water.

27. Fabric Conditioner To make your own fabric conditioner, mix equal quantities of water, bicarbonate of soda and vinegar in a storage bottle, take care as the vinegar & soda will fizz up. Add ¼ cup of conditioner to your wash.

28. To remove the odour of onion and garlic from wooden or other porous surfaces, sprinkle some bicarb on to a damp cloth and rub into the surface. Rinse with water.

29. Air Freshener Mix 8 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda with 3- 4 drops of essential oil and place in a bowl.

30. Use to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from toaster. Dampen cloth and make a mild abrasive with baking soda.

31. Cleaning Sinks Either place bicarbonate of soda directly onto a damp cloth or make up a paste of soda with a little water. Wipe around the sink & rinse well.

32. Cooker Tops As above, make a paste of soda & water and apply with a cloth. Wipe over well and rinse with cold water.

33. Clean formica counter tops with bicarbonate of soda on a damp sponge

34. Wash a cup of baking soda down a toilet or drain once a week to help maintain or restore the pH of a septic tank. The regular addition of baking soda helps prevent corrosion of concrete as well as metal septic tanks.

35. White sport socks cleaner - rub a paste of soda and water into the socks before normal washing. It will bring back the whiteness and get rid of the nasty smells too

36. Remove wine or grease stains from carpet by lightly sprinkling area with baking soda. Dab it up and add a little more if necessary. Leave on until the wine is absorbed, then vacuum up any residue left.

37. Use a paste of baking soda to remove tea & coffee stains from cups

38. To eliminate dog odors or just freshen up the air, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on your carpet where your dog lies and vacuum up. Leave the bicarbonate of soda on the carpet for half an hour. It also eliminates odor in your vacuum after it has been vacuumed up. A great way to freshen up your home air during the winter when everything is closed up.

39. To clean oily stains from your concrete paths and driveways just sprinkle baking soda over the area and scrub it with a wet brush or stiff broom.

40. Use bicarbonate of soda as an underarm deodorant

41. To remove strong odors from your hands, wet your hands and rub them hard with soda, then rinse

42. Use to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from toaster. Dampen cloth and make a mild abrasive with bicarbonate of soda.

43. Clean the oil and dirt from your hair brushes and combs by soaking them in a mixture of warm water and 2 teaspoons of baking soda.

44. De-grease and clean barbecue grills, make a paste by mixing equal parts Bicarbonate of Soda and water, apply with a wire brush, wipe clean, and dry with a cloth.

45. Clean the acid build on the battery terminals of your car or truck with a foam made up of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Make sure also to dry the battery terminals afterwards before starting the vehicle.

46. For silver pieces without raised patterns or cemented-on handles: place the silver on aluminum foil in an enamel pot. Add boiling water and 4 tbsp. baking soda. Let stand, rinse and dry.

47. Soothe tired feet, add three tablespoons Bicarbonate of Soda to a basin of warm water and soak feet in the solution.

48. To make your own baking powder, stir and sift together 2 parts of Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1 part cornstarch.

49. Deodorize cloth diapers, mix one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda in two quarts of water, and soak diapers in the solution.

50. Freshen your laundry by adding half a cup Bi-carb soda to the laundry rinse cycle to give towels and linens a breezy freshness.

51. An easy and highly effective way of clarifying your hair after you have been swimming in the pool or ocean is to mix 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda with your shampoo. Then massage into your hair and let the mixture sit on your head for two minutes before rinsing it out and repeating. This cheap and easy way of clarifying your hair can be used as often as necessary, but do not try it on colored hair as it can fade the color a bit.

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I will be posting photos of some views from my drive to work starting tomorrow. I love Sunday's Today's Flower post.......