Baking Soda
Sodium Bicarbonate, aka Baking Soda isn’t just for baking, or using to diminish the odors in your refrigerator. There are tons of uses for this, and I would love to share some of the ways I use it in my home and for health reasons. I purchase pure baking soda if I’m using internally of topically. Trust your source of where you buy it from. I like Bob’s Red Mill, (can be found in most grocery stores) and It’s Just! from Amazon which is a pure USP food grade Baking Soda. Prices tend to be a bit higher than the average box you find for $3.00 or under. Those cheap boxes are fine for cleaning and deodorizing, however my personal preference for internally and topically are the 2 choices mentioned above.
Baking Soda Uses:
1. Foot Soak: This is my favorite way to soften my feet. You can use a small tub or even one of those fancy foot soakers. I have never had any issues with the sodium bicarbonate clogging it, plus it gives you a gentle scrub while you're soaking. here are 6 simple benefits to foot soaking with it. Odor neutralizer, skin softening, exfoliator, aching relief, fungal inhibitor, circulation improvement.
2. Oral Care: This may seem odd to most, but baking soda is very beneficial to oral hygiene. It has mild abrasive properties which can help prevent tartar as well as used as mouthwash or toothpaste. You can add your favorite all-natural essential oil (check label for internal safe usage) to help with taste. Gargling with it can also help an irritated throat.
3. Digestive Health: Baking Soda is known for neutralizing stomach acid when mixed with warm water and drinking.
4. Antiseptic: Baking Soda can be used for cuts, bug bites, and skin irritations. Its mild antiseptic properties can help reduce inflammation in most cases.
5. Air Freshener: Use it to sprinkle on carpets to eliminate pet odor or here is a quick diy recipe for an all-natural air freshener. To create an air freshener with baking soda, you need:
a small jar
1/3 cup (74 g) of baking soda
10 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oils
a piece of cloth or paper
a string or ribbon
Add the baking soda and essential oils to the jar. Cover it with the cloth or paper, then secure it in place with the string and put it in your living room, bedroom, bathroom, or kitchen. When the scent starts to fade, give the jar a shake. You can also use this recipe for your carpets. I put mine in a flour sifter for an easier application. Note: You can poke holes in the cloth for a more pungent scent.
6. Laundry: I use baking soda in a mixture for my homemade laundry detergent. It works fantastically on my husbands grease smelling uniform. There are many recipes out there, and sometimes I use variations of them. But here is one I use commonly.
Ingredients:
2 cups of baking soda
2 cups of washing soda
2 cups of borax
Instructions:
In a container, mix the baking soda, washing soda, and borax thoroughly.
If desired, add essential oils and shake the container to mix well. (Citrus oils work well, and I use lavender for my sheets)
Store in an airtight container and use as needed. I use a big glass jar, that you can find at Walmart or Target. I double the recipe.
Homemade detergent is a great all-natural way to clean your clothes without all the chemicals, synthetic dyes and perfumes.
In Gratitude and Wellness
Donna
The Wholistic Hut