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Seven Uses For Baking Soda |
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Tips and Advice -
Cooking from Scratch
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Written by Maureen Wood
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Baking soda is a cooking from scratch necessity for any kitchen. It is
one of the greatest multi-purpose products. What else can be used for
baking and for cleaning out the kitchen sink? This versatile white
powder has a multitude of uses beyond the two I just mentioned. Here are my favorite uses for Sodium bicarbonate.
Odours Baking soda is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly deodorizer. An open box of baking soda makes a great air filter in the fridge, freezer or near the box of kitty litter. This is especially helpful if someone in your home is sensitive to spray deodorizers. You know how your hands get all smelly from chopping garlic? If you rub a couple teaspoons of baking soda in your wet hands you not only get rid of the odor but exfoliate the skin leaving behind softer hands. Sprinkle it into shoes to reduce the smell of sweaty feet. If you have carpets sprinkle a box on the carpets, let sit for 20 minutes then vacuum up.
General Cleaner Baking soda can be used to scour counter tops and sinks by sprinkling it on like Comet, scrubbing with a wet rag then rinsing off. It can also be used as a gentle scrub for cleaning pots. If used to clean out your fridge, it will leave it sparkling clean with no strong cleansing odors to attach to foods. It is an excellent scrub for the bathtub. After you clean out the sink clean the drain by putting a couple tablespoons down each drain followed by a splash or two of vinegar, then run hot water for a few minutes.
Grease Fires and SpillsIf you are quick thinking and there is no fire extinguisher in sight, grabbing a box of baking soda and pouring on to the fire before it gets out of control will extinguish it. Don't try to be a hero. If you can't safely attempt it then protect yourself. Pouring baking soda on grease spills makes them easier to clean up -- my husband has used this in the garage more than once.
Dirty Clothing Heavily soiled clothes can be pre-soaked in baking soda and water before washing with your regular detergent. A baking soda paste can also be used on tougher stains.
Oral Hygiene Before toothpaste there was baking soda. If you are ever in a pinch, wet your toothbrush, sprinkle on some baking soda and brush away that plaque (don't forget to floss afterward). It's equally good for bite planes.
Skin Irritations If you or your children suffer from skin irritations sprinkling baking soda into the bath water will help relieve them. My grandmother use to swear it was the miracle cure, when mixed into a paste with water, for mosquito bites but it has never worked for me.
Cooking Baking soda is used as a rising agent in cakes, muffins, breads etc. It's an important ingredient and makes all the difference when used. It is a different composition, but in a pinch I've substituted baking powder with baking soda and vice versa.
Growing up, baking soda was a common fixture in our house. Over the years I've learned more than a few tricks for this economical white powder. Now that you have read mine be sure to share some of your uses for baking soda in the comment section below.
M. E. Wood lives in Eastern Ontario, Canada. If you are going to find this eclectic reader and writer anywhere it is probably at her computer. For more information visit her Squidoo Who page.
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Tags: baking soda cooking odours air freshener natural products cleaner skin care sensitive skin |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 21 May 2009 )
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