If you or anybody you know likes to bake cakes, then you'll have heard of baking soda. It’s a wonderful ingredient and a kitchen cupboard staple, but did you know that baking powder actually has a huge catalog of uses?
Baking soda is an excellent odor eliminator; it can freshen, de-grease, revitalize, and even calm. Inspired by Shareably, here are eight of the best applications for baking soda. They’re quick and easy, use only two ingredients, and could radically change your health and beauty regime for the better.
1. Get rid of heartburn
If ingested, one or two teaspoons of baking soda mixed with a full glass of drinking water has the power to neutralize stomach acid. You'll be bidding farewell to uncomfortable heartburn in no time.
2. Soothe razor burn
If you have sensitive skin and are prone to razor burn when you shave, then try mixing a full tablespoon of baking soda into one cup of water. Apply the smooth paste to the affected area and leave it for five minutes to work its magic. This remedy is gentle enough to be used up to three times per day.
3. Prevent gout and kidney stones
High levels of uric acid in the blood could be cause for concern; it could even result in kidney stones or gout. Baking soda in tablet form (ask your physician) can help lower these acid levels and could even help combat the metabolic effects of kidney disease.
4. Take care of your teeth
Did you know that baking soda can naturally whiten your teeth? And the recipe is delightful; mash a single ripe strawberry into a paste with half a teaspoon of baking soda. Use a soft toothbrush or a finger to spread the paste onto your teeth. When five minutes are up, brush your teeth like you normally would and rinse your mouth thoroughly. Just limit applications to a maximum of two per week in order to protect your tooth enamel.
5. Treat acne
If you are bothered by occasional acne flareups, then you can use a baking soda paste as a skin-drying agent. Mix enough baking soda with water to form a paste, then dab it onto the affected area to gently remove blemishes and treat surface-level pimples. Wash off with warm water and pat dry.
6. Alleviate ulcer pain
If you’ve ever been bothered by a painful stomach ulcer then you know how uncomfortable they can be! Baking soda can provide temporary relief due to its acid-neutralizing properties. Stir a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of warm drinking water. However, note that this is to relieve the pain and won’t fix the underlying problem. Be sure to talk to your physician.
7. Soothe aching feet
After spending a day on your feet, if your tootsies are screaming out for a break then mix three tablespoons of baking soda with warm water to create a luxurious, reviving foot bath. Gently massage your feet (or better yet, get someone else to do it!) for the very best results.
8. Deodorize!
Many modern deodorants contain aluminum and parabens, and some people like to steer clear of these amid fears that aluminum is cancer-causing. Baking soda, you'll be pleased to hear, is a natural alternative for staying odor-free.Make a smooth, white paste with a little baking soda and tepid water; you could also add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant fragrance. Use a brush to apply the mixture to your underarms. Shareably insists that this is not as messy as it sounds!
So there you have it. Promote your baking soda from the kitchen cupboard to the bathroom cabinet, because there is so, so much you can do with this single, simple ingredient. Perhaps the best thing of all is that you'll save so much money in the process. You’ve got nothing to lose!
Get mixing and find out what baking soda can do for you.
