Around the House

Countertop Cleaner: Keep counters clean by sprinkling with baking soda, then scrubbing with a damp cloth or sponge. If you have stains, knead the baking soda and water into a paste and let set for a while before you remove. This method also works great for stainless steel sinks, cutting boards, containers, refrigerators, oven tops and more.

Odor Eraser:

• To eliminate odors in the fridge or cupboard, place some baking soda in a saucer on a shelf and replace every three months.
  
  
• Leave a dish of baking soda in the room overnight to freshen air that smells of smoke.

Oven De-Grimer:

• Coat the inside of your dirty appliance with a paste made from water and baking soda. Let stand overnight. Then, don gloves and scour off that grime. Make spotless with a moist cloth.
  
• Need to clean your microwave faster? Put 1 cup of water and 2 tsp. baking soda in a 4-cup microwave-safe container. Microwave for 4 to 5 minutes, then wipe the inside with a sponge.

Carpet Revitalizer: Refresh carpets by sprinkling baking soda on them before vacuuming. For smelly carpets, mix one part baking soda and one part powdered laundry starch and sprinkle on rug. Leave for 15 minutes, then vacuum off.

Drain De-Clogger: Feeling plugged up? Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the problem drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water. If that isn't doing it for you, chase the baking soda with a 1/2 cup of vinegar and cover tightly, allowing the vigorous fizzing of the chemical reaction to break up the gunk. Then flush that with one gallon of boiling water.

Fruit Cleanser: Worried about toxic pesticide residue, germs and dirty fingerprints on your juicy peaches and crisp carrots? Just sprinkle a little baking soda on wet produce, then gently scrub and rinse.

Health & Beauty

Canker Sore Killer: Apply baking soda to canker sores several times daily. It reduces the amount of bacteria in the mouth for faster recovery.

Itch Reliever: To lessen poison ivy itch, make a paste of one tsp. water to three tsp. baking soda or cornstarch, and slather it on the affected area.

Burn Soother: Make a thick paste of baking soda and water, and apply it immediately to the burn. Keep it on for about an hour, reapplying as needed. Not only does this soothe the pain -- it also helps prevent blisters.

.Hair Reviver: If product buildup has left your hair stiff and clumpy, strip away residue by shampooing with a mixture of shampoo and baking soda. In the palm of your hand, mix about 1 tsp. of baking soda with a dollop of shampoo (the amount you’d normally use). Wash and condition as usual.


Thanks to TheDailyGreen.com for contributing to this information