3 Interesting Uses For Baking Soda

It’s difficult to find a food product more versatile than baking soda. This white soluble compound, which is also called sodium bicarbonate, has been used for centuries – even as far back as ancient Egypt – as a natural cleaning agent and preservative. In 1843, when the British chemist, Alfred Bird, created commercial baking soda, the compound gained further popularity as a quick-acting leavener of baked goods.

Today, baking soda can be found in almost every home, and it still remains popular as a baking ingredient. Due to its pH-regulating abilities, however, this inexpensive and environmentally-friendly product has far more uses than most people realize – and many of those uses extend well beyond the kitchen.

Deodorant

Baking soda is a strong antibacterial and can kill the bacteria responsible for making sweat smell. Simply mix an eighth of a teaspoon of baking soda with a small amount of purified water (avoid dissolving them) and rub the solution under your arms. This is a much more natural way of neutralizing odors than using commercial deodorants, whose ingredients list often reads like a chemistry set.

Toothpaste

There’s a good reason why many natural toothpastes contain baking soda: its antibacterial properties help prevent plaque build-ups (and whiten the teeth as a bonus). It’s not necessary to purchase an overpriced natural toothpaste, however, when baking soda alone does the job just as well. Simply take a pinch of baking soda and place it in a small bowl. Then, add some purified water to the bowl and mix until the solution is slightly runny. Some people like to add sea salt to the solution to boost its effectiveness.

Laundry Detergent

Adding baking soda to your laundry is an effective, cost-efficient and chemical-free way to keep your clothes clean and soft. Simply add half a cup of baking soda to each laundry load (if you’re cleaning the laundry manually in a tub with water) or to each rinse cycle (if you’re using

a washing machine). Baking soda is a particularly good choice for people who favor clothes made from natural fibers such as organic cotton, linen, or hemp. After all, what’s the point in purchasing these natural clothes if they’re just going to be ruined with chemical detergents?

Today, baking soda can be found in almost every home, and it still remains popular as a baking ingredient. Due to its pH-regulating abilities, however, this inexpensive and environmentally-friendly product has far more uses than most people realize – and many of those uses extend well beyond the kitchen.