Baking Soda for Health:
Oral Health: Baking soda has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, plus it freshens breath, so it's great for oral health. Simply mix half a teaspoon full in a half glass of warm water, swish around in your mouth for 30 seconds, and then spit it out.
Soothing Canker Sore Pain: Canker sores are small ulcers that form inside the mouth. Research shows the same baking soda recipe above is excellent for easing the pain of canker sores.
Heartburn Remedy: Research confirms this "folk remedy" can work for acid reflux, a.k.a. heartburn. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of cold water and consume it slowly.
Help Sunburns, Itchy Skin, Bug Bites, Bee Stings: You can either take a bath in which you've added 1 to 2 cups of baking soda, or target specific areas on your body by adding a touch of water to baking soda and creating a paste. (For sunburns, also adding in some oatmeal to the paste works even better!)
Removing Calluses: Calluses are those hard patches on skin, often on the feet or hands, caused by longterm friction. Soaking them in a solution of baking soda and water has been shown to soften and eliminate them.
Exfoliating Face Mask: Because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, baking soda can be a very effective exfoliator. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons baking soda, the juice of a half of a lemon, and a tablespoon of honey (add a touch of water if too thick). Gently apply to your face (don't scrub) and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse.
Boosting Exercise Performance: Consuming baking soda may help you perform at your peak for longer. Research shows this is especially true for high-interval training. (Because you would consume a mixture of baking soda and water prior to exercise, though, DO talk to your doctor prior to doing so, as some people may experience side effects such as nausea or upset stomach.)
Slowing Kidney Disease: Yes, research even shows consuming baking soda can significantly slow kidney failure. Again, though, definitely DO talk to a health professional prior to using it for this purpose.
Baking Soda for Home and Garden
Remove Pesticides from Fruits and Veggies: Research shows soaking fruit and veggies in a solution of about one teaspoon of baking soda for every two cups of water removes almost all pesticides. Soak for at least 10 to 15 minutes, and be sure to rinse them after soaking.
Neutralizing Refrigerator Odors: Most people know this one well. Baking soda doesn't just mask odors, it interacts with odor particles to eliminate them. Simply fill a cup with baking soda and locate it at the back of your fridge.
Neutralizing Room Odors and Trash Can Odors: For the same reasons above, baking soda works well to neutralize odors elsewhere, especially in smaller spaces like closets, cars, and garbage cans. For the garbage, many people add 1/4 cup directly to the bottom of the trash can and then periodically dump it, wash it out, and add new baking soda. Others create sachets using cheese cloth or other fabrics and place at the bottom of the garbage.
Remove Carpet Odors and Stains: Baking soda is exceptional for eliminating odors and stains from rugs and carpets. For odors, you can spread a thin layer of baking soda on the carpet, let it sit for about an hour, and then vacuum. For stains, spread it over the stained area, then spray with a 1 to 1 solution of water and vinegar, let sit for an hour to dry, scrub the area with a brush, then vacuum.
Whitening Laundry: Because baking soda is an alkali, it can help remove stains and dirt and whiten and brighten clothes. Just add a half a cup to your regular laundry detergent.
Killing Weeds in Cracks: Research shows -- and as an avid gardener I can confirm -- that shaking some baking soda in the cracks in rocks, sidewalks, driveways and such near the base of weeds can kill them. BE CAREFUL not to use around plants you want, though, as it can harm or kill them, too.
Putting Out Grease / Oil Fires: As a child I remember several occasions where my mother quickly poured baking soda on grease fires on our very old-fashioned stove. Baking soda reacts with heat to create carbon dioxide, which douses fire, and it is especially useful to have on hand for grease/oil fires where water can be ineffective.
Brian Vaszily
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