by Leanne Coffman

Created on: July 23, 2009

Sometimes the simplest remedies are the most useful. When looking for health, beauty, cleaning or household help, don't neglect this handy product: Baking Soda.

Our grandmothers knew this powerful and versatile item well. Lately, we've seen a return to the basics with baking soda popping up in toothpaste, laundry soap and cleaning supplies.

However, you can best harness baking soda's potential by arming yourself with it straight from the box. It's a cost effective and natural way to a host of household and health solutions.

Here are a few tips to make the most of this "green" powerhouse:

1. Tooth Whitening: Hang on to your cash! Baking soda really works at a fraction of the cost of all those whitening pastes and products. Brush teeth with a paste of baking soda and water. Leave on five minutes. Rinse. Smile at your eco-friendly and cost-friendly bright grin.

2. Insect Bites: Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply to bites or poison ivy (works well for Chicken Pox, also). If you mix white vinegar in the paste, it takes the sting out of bee bites.

3. Coffee Maker Cleaning: Got a nasty coffee maker? Run a cycle of water plus two tablespoons of baking soda to clear hard water.

4. Heart Burn/Sour Stomach: A long-time remedy for stomach ails; baking soda cures tummy issues faster than you can say, "Sodium Bicarbonate".

5. Baking Powder Replacement: Run out of baking powder? Did you know that baking powder is simply one part baking soda, two parts cream of tartar, and one part cornstarch? Save yourself a trip to the store and some pennies, too.

6. Play Clay: Why buy the stuff, when you and your kids can make it together? Add 2 cups baking soda, 1 1/4 cups water, and a cup of cornstarch. Add food coloring to make your play clay a rainbow of natural colors.

7. Laundry Stains: Add a quarter cup straight to the laundry, with detergent to boost cleansing or mix a paste of baking soda and water and apply straight to stains.

8. Canker Sores: Rinse your mouth with a tablespoon of baking soda in 8 oz. of warm water. Then apply a baking soda paste straight to canker sore. Dries and heals overnight.

9. Scouring Powder: Instead of buying all those cleansers with harmful additives, scrub stains with eco-friendly baking soda in a paste.

10. Diaper Rash: 2 Tablespoons of baking soda gently relieves diaper rash and irritations on tender skin.

11. Cat Box Freshener: Stinky cat box? Sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda, mix in with litter. Purr-fect.

12. Fridge Freshener: Leave an open box in the fridge and freezer to soak up odors. No more bad tasting ice or funky flavored leftovers!

13. Fire Fighter: Extinguishing grease or oil fires in the kitchen should never be attempted with water. Baking soda is a handy product for safe fire-fighting in the kitchen.

14. Hair Rinse: Most clarifying shampoos are costly and made of questionable ingredients. Use three tablespoons of baking soda in two cups of water to rinse out build up. Work through hair. Follow with regular shampoo and conditioner. Shiny hair with naturally beautiful ease!

Enjoy baking soda's benefits while keeping your budget and the environment happy!

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