Unexpected Uses for Baking Soda
By Sara Butler
Baking soda is really undervalued and underutilized. It has all kinds of uses that many people have no clue about! If you use this kitchen staple only for baking or for deodorizing your refrigerator or freezer, then you are missing out! Here are some surprising ways you can use baking soda!
Soothe Your Skin
If you get a rash or a sunburn, or even get stung by a bee, you can make a paste of water and baking soda to apply to your skin to soothe it. It helps to relieve itching too. Adding just a half cup to your bath can help to soften your skin as well.
Balance Your Soil
If you’re an avid gardener and you’re not using baking soda in your garden, then you should start! If you regularly test your soil and have found it’s too acidic, this powder can help to balance out the pH in the soil. You can also add it to your watering can for plants that don’t do well in acidic soil environments.
If you enjoy growing vegetables in your garden you can also sprinkle some baking soda around your tomato plants to help produce a sweeter tomato. It also keeps flowers alive longer in a vase and can be used to help dry flowers you want to keep, too.
Clean Your Fruits and Vegetables
The fresh fruits and vegetables you buy at the store should always be cleaned before you cook them. After all, you don’t want to expose your family to anything you don’t have too, such as pesticide residue. To clean your produce, simply sprinkle on a bit of baking soda and then scrub gently with a damp sponge. Then rinse and you’re ready to serve it!
For a Sour Stomach
Baking soda makes a great homemade antacid if you’ve got an upset stomach. Add a teaspoon of powder to half a glass of water and drink it to help with heartburn. If tomato products give you a hard time after eating them, you can try to head off the acidity at the pass by adding a pinch of baking soda to tomato soups and sauces. Also, you can add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water when washing beans to make them a bit easier on the digestive system.
Repel Pests
If you have problems with pests such as ants or cockroaches, you can sprinkle some baking soda around the places they enter from – around windows or through cracks in the basement. This will keep the critters from crossing the threshold into your home!