Tips, Tidbits & Tricks: Baking Soda

Tidbits:
• Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3.

• The ancient Egyptians used natural deposits of natron, a mixture consisting mostly of sodium carbonate decahydrate and sodium bicarbonate, as a cleanser.

• In 1846 two New York bakers, John Dwight and Austin Church, established the first factory to develop baking soda from sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide.

Tips and Tricks:
• Remove strong odors from your hands by rubbing them with baking soda and water.

• Relieve canker sore pain by using it as mouthwash.

• Turn baking soda into homemade Play-Do by combining it with one and 1/4 cups of water and one cup of cornstarch.

• Sweeten your tomatoes by sprinkling baking soda on the soil around your tomato plants.

• Add a teaspoon or so of baking soda to your shampoo to remove buildup.

• Baking soda can be used to smother a small fire.

• Baking soda should be replaced every 6 months (when used for baking).

• To clean pans with food crusted on the bottom, add a good amount of baking soda and enough hot water to cover bottom of pan. Let soak, then wash!

• To help clean drains unclogged, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar then a quart of boiling water.

• Sprinkle ½ cup of soda over dirty laundry, then stick in the washer. The soda will help brighten clothes and remove odors.

• Stinky shoes? Pour some baking soda in the toes of old socks, then stuff the socks into your shoes and leave them overnight.

• To clean jewelry, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply the mixture the piece

• Sprinkle baking soda wherever ants are entering your home to help keep them out.


What's your favorite use for baking soda?

Resources: Life Hackery, Green Living Tips, Wikipedia