by Carolyn Lanier

Created on: January 14, 2008   Last Updated: January 17, 2008

For a Fresher Cleaner Home, Grab that box of baking soda, it's not just for baking and keeping the refrigerator smelling nice. Most people only use baking soda when a recipe calls for it. Facts about nutrition in baking soda, the active ingredient is Sodium Bicarbonate, there's zero calories, fat, carbs, protein, and only 6% sodium based on a 2,000 calorie diet which makes it ideal for recipes, then, usually that little box sits in the refrigerator a few months to get thrown away because a lot of people don't know that there's so many uses for it.

Battery cleaner,
To clean corrosion off battery terminals, add some water to baking soda making a paste, put on top of terminals letting it soak a few minutes then rinse off.

Medical and Personal Uses,
Baking soda can also be used as an antacid, just add 1/2 teaspoon to 1/2 glass of water (4 fl.oz) every 2 hours for the relief of heartburn, acid ingestion and sour stomach.

For poison ivy, rashes and insect bites, just make a paste and apply to affected area's.
Sunburn, windburn or prickly heat, dissolve one half cup baking soda to a warm bath and soak.

Apply baking soda to a damp toothbrush, brush, rinse as usual and the gentle abrasive will clean better then any toothpaste plus freshen your breath at the same time.

For a refreshing bath, dissolve one half cup to a tub of warm water, for smooth feeling skin and a relaxing bath.

Tired feet, add three tablespoons to a tub of warm water and soak feet in solution.

For a deodorant, dust baking soda under arms.

For a Deodorizer,
Diaper pails, sprinkle liberally with baking soda.

Garbage disposals and sinks, one tablespoon down the disposal once a week, and gradually pour some down the drain and flush with water.

Garbage cans, carpet, litter boxes, shoes, smelly dirty clothes, just sprinkle some in these items.

Refrigerators and closets, put an open box on shelf.

For Cleaning,
Microwaves, stainless steel sinks, ovens, counter tops, pots and pans, cutting boards, coffee and tea pots, bathroom tile, and refrigerators, crayon marks on walls, sprinkle on a damp sponge, scrub and rinse clean.
Baking soda naturally cleans fruits and vegetables, and can also be used to clean stuff animals, hubcaps, and septic tanks.

Swimming Pools,
Add 1.5 pounds of baking soda for every 10,000 gallons of water to raise the total of Alkalinity by 10 ppm, it also helps irritation and unpleasant odors.

Baking Soda, the ideal household cleaner, scrubs away soils and grease without scratching.

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