Having a well-stocked pantry can help you in so many ways, mostly in saving you money. Did you know that having a well-stocked pantry can also help the environment? By having certain ingredients on hand you can make your own cleaners and help the environment by having less environmental pollutants from cleaning and personal care products washed down the drain and into our water system. Baking soda is something that not only has uses in baking but it can be used in other ways around the house.
1. Did you know you can make a toothpaste from baking soda? Make a paste from baking soda and 3% hydrogen peroxide; this can be used in place of commercial toothpaste. You can also just tip your toothbrush in baking soda for an extra boost. If you’d rather have a minty version try this recipe, this is a simple, inexpensive, odor-eliminating, tooth-whitening, and very effective formula from Organic Body Care Recipes (Storey, 2007) By Stephanie Tourles.
INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, finely ground
1 drop peppermint, spearmint, sweet orange, clove, or cinnamon bark essential oil
A few drops tap water
Combine ingredients in a small bowl and mix them thoroughly with a toothbrush, your finger, or a small spoon until a smooth, thick paste forms. The paste shouldn’t be too runny; it has to stay on your toothbrush. Dip your toothbrush into the paste and use as you would regular commercial toothpaste.
2. Help Your Hair – Vinegar is amazing for your hair, but baking soda has its place in the shower too. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly–baking soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable.
3. Clean Brushes and Combs – For lustrous hair with more shine, keep brushes and combs clean. Remove natural oil build-up and hair product residue by soaking combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.
4. Clean the Microwave – Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.
5. Clean Floors – Remove dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) from no wax and tile floors using 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water–mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor. For scuffmarks, use baking soda on a clean damp sponge, then rinse.
6. Deodorize Your Refrigerator – Place an open box in the back of the fridge to neutralize odors.
7. Deodorize and Clean Dishwashers – Use Baking soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasher and then as a gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.
8. Extinguish Fires – Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor grease or electrical kitchen fires, because when baking soda is heated, it gives off carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking fires (frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity if you can safely do so. Stand back and throw handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame to help put out the fire–and call the Fire Department just to be safe.
9. Deodorize Sneakers – Keep odors from spreading in smelly sneakers by shaking baking soda into them when not in use. Shake out before wearing.
10. Camping Cure-all – Baking soda is a must-have for your next camping trip. Its a dish washer, pot scrubber, hand cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste, fire extinguisher and many other uses.
As you can see Baking Soda has numerous uses, definitely an item you want to have in your pantry!
Nancy on the Home Front 