by Lana Stockton

Created on: July 22, 2009   Last Updated: August 19, 2010

While baking soda is still a great way to polish teeth, it now plays a part in low cost, earth-friendly health and beauty routines (for guys too). And no first aid kit should be without baking soda.

Beauty Tips: Clean and earth friendly green

1. Relieve itchy skin by adding 1 cup of baking soda to your bath and take a nice, long refreshing soak. Gently blot dry with a towel to remove excess moisture.

2. Pure deodorant

The deodorizing properties in baking soda are activated by moisture, neutralizing odor instead of covering it up. With a powder puff, lightly dust your underarms with cornstarch followed by a dusting of baking soda. Perspiration doesn't have a chance against the deodorizing qualities of this natural, earth friendly product. Sprinkle a tiny amount in your shoes for freshness head to toe.

3. Sweet touch-ups

Freshen up your clothes the natural way. For clothes that need a freshness boost or to remove that new smell from purchased clothing, add 1 cup of baking soda to the machine load. Soak 2-3 hours agitating a few times to completely saturate the fabric. Then wash, rinse and dry as usual.

4. Clean Hair

To remove product build-up on your hair, squirt the usual amount of shampoo into the palm of your hand. Add a couple pinches of baking soda, mix together and apply to your scalp. Massage well and rinse.

5. Don't forget to clean your comb and brush. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to a sink full of hot water and toss them in to soak while you shower.

6. Mouthwash

For fresh breath you can make your own mouthwash by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of soda in 1/2 cup of water. Swish and rinse.

First Aid kit

7. Soothe the pain and itching of insect bites and nettles by making a paste of baking soda and water. Generously apply paste to the affected area.

8. Antacid.

Stir 1/2 teaspoon baking soda into a half glass of cold water. Drink quickly. If you have high blood pressure this solution may not be right for you as it is high in sodium.

9. Neutralize battery acid.

Lead acid battery electrolyte is neutralized by baking soda. If you spill battery acid on your skin immediately wash with soap and water then toss baking soda on the affected skin. No first aid kit should be without a box of baking soda. http://www.geocities.com/oceansci/canyon_floor/contr olboxassembling/batterysafety.htm

Fido's beauty treatment.

10. On cold winter days, sprinkle Fido's fur with dry baking soda. Massage, fluff off the excess then brush for a finished touch. Fido will never guess he's just had a bath.

Who would have known in grandma's day that her little gold box on the bathroom sink would become this popular for today's health and beauty?

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