by Linda G. Hull

Created on: July 22, 2009   Last Updated: July 23, 2009

Baking soda is a good chemical free cleaning choice. But did you know that food grade baking soda is also a wonderful green solution for all your health and beauty needs? Want to know more? Check out these health and beauty tips:

Baking soda is an effective toothpaste due to its abrasiveness. Just mix with a small of amount of water to make your paste. Add a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth. Hate those germ killing mouthwashes that burn your mouth? Dissolve a small amount of baking soda in warm water to create your own deodorizing mouthwash or a soak for your dentures or other dental devices.

Adding cup of baking soda to your bath water softens the water enhancing the effectiveness of your body cleanser while neutralizing skin acids. It's also soothing for sufferers of eczema, insect stings, sunburn, or rashes.

If you've run out of your favorite facial cleanser, use baking soda. Mix baking soda with water to make a paste. Apply paste by rubbing lightly onto skin in a circular motion to loosen dead skin cells. Avoid the sensitive eye area. Rinse and pat the skin dry.

Hair products create a buildup on hair that shampoo fails to dissolve and remove. Baking soda to the rescue! Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to form a paste. Apply to hair, working through strands. Then shampoo and rinse thoroughly. Combs and brushes can be cleaned using baking soda dissolved in warm water. Remove loose hair first, and then soak in baking soda solution to loosen oils, skin cells, and dried hair care products. Rinse and air dry.

Substitute baking soda for aluminum based or aerosol deodorants. Use a clean powder duster to apply under your arms. Sprinkle a little in your shoes to deodorize shoes.

After a long hike, soak your tired feet in a soothing solution of three tablespoons baking soda dissolved in a small tub of warm water. Relax and allow the solution to deodorize, soothe, and freshen your tired feet. Afterward, remove the now softened dead skin and cleanse nails by scrubbing feet with a baking soda paste.

Remove gardening grime from hands with a paste of baking soda and water. Dirt will loosen with a little scrubbing. Rinse with water.

Wash hands odoriferous after cutting up onions or garlic with a baking soda paste to deodorize.

Also apply baking soda paste on burns to reduce pain and discomfort. Keep moist for the best results.

Baking soda is an effective fruit and vegetable scrub. Rubbing the outside of

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