Unusual Uses For Baking Soda

Once again I am sharing some interesting and weird uses of stuff very common in households. Its Baking Soda. Earlier I have shared unusual uses of toothpaste. Now I am going to tell you uses for baking soda other than making your cakes and muffins soft, fluffy and spongy.
Baking soda is white, dry, powdery chemical leavening agent. It is pure sodium bicarbonate and is different from baking powder. It releases carbon dioxide in form of bubbles when it interacts with an acid and water.

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• Used as a cleaning agent: Take soda on damp sponge and clean your microwave, silver items, plastics, showers, bath tub, bathroom tiles, refrigerator, burnt-on food from cookware, cutting boards, food containers, tea pots, dentures and stainless steel sink. To clean the toilet, add a cup to the toilet leave for an hour and then flush, it will sparkle and odor will be gone. Use it to remove grease from pots and pans. Remove crayon marks from walls and vinyl floor. Soak brushes and combs in baking soda solution.  To make scrubbing dishes easier use it in dishwasher. Sprinkle it over the carpet leave it for an hour or overnight and then vacuum up. Mix it with warm water to wash baby bottles, nipples and brushes.
• Use it in your laundry: Add half a cup of baking soda to regular liquid laundry detergent to whiten dirty cloths and socks. Use it to wash diapers. It also minimizes the smell of dirty laundry. 
• Health and beauty uses: Dissolve half cup soda in a tepid bath and soak in the bath for fifteen minutes to soothe sunburn, windburn and prickly heat. Use half cup soda in a tub of warm water for soft and relaxing bath. Use it as an antacid. Works as a underarm deodorant. Use it as a scrub for face and body.  One teaspoon baking soda in one-half glass of warm water works as a refreshing mouthwash. Mix tablespoon of soda with your regular shampoo and then rinse your hair it will prevent conditioner and styling gel build up in hair. Mix half teaspoon of soda with peroxide and use it as a toothpaste. Baking soda works as a blackheads remover, wash face with warm water and apply a dab of baking soda on affected area leave it for two minutes now rinse off soda with warm water.
• Used in allergies: In a neti pot full of warm water mix quarter teaspoon of soda and quarter teaspoon of salt clean out nasal passage once a day will cure nasal allergies and cold. To soothe baby's diaper rashes add two tablespoon of baking soda in baby's bath. To reduce pain and swelling of red bump caused by insect bite or animal/plant sting dab thick paste of soda on the sore area and let it dry. For itchy and dry eyes make an eyewash with baking soda use one teaspoon of baking soda and two cup of water. 
• Uses in the home: To repel cockroaches and ants put it under the sink and in kitchen cabinets. Add a teaspoon to the water in vase to keep cut flowers fresh for longer. Keep it in open container in a fridge to absorb odor. Baking soda can work as modeling clay mix soda in 1 1/4 cup of water with one cup cornstarch. To soften the stiff brushes boil them in solution of one cup soda, 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 gallon water. Sprinkle a pinch of baking soda in shoes, slippers, socks to remove bad odor from them. Wash fruits and vegetables with baking soda solution. Use it as an air freshener by mixing it with perfumed bath salt and then keep it in small sachets. 

There many other  uses also but I found these tips very useful in day to day life so shared them here for my blog readers. Now I am sure that after reading this you are going to stockpile it, isn't it :) and its very cheap too!!

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Some Unusual Uses Of ToothPaste

Did you know toothpaste has some more interesting uses other than making teeth sparkling white. Read on to know some tips but be sure you are using white paste not that gel one.

1. Goggles, mirror, diving mask or any other glass item can be cleaned efficiently with toothpaste. Just apply small amount on glass surface and wipe it off with lint free cloth. 

2. To get rid of nasty smell of garlic, onion and fish from your palm just rub small amount of toothpaste  thoroughly on your palm and wash with water.

3. Toothpaste works wonder on minor burns (please note not open wound). For instant relief and cooling effect apply toothpaste on the affected area.

4. Toothpaste can sparkle silver, brass and metal jewelry also. Apply small amount on brush and brush it gently on the metal surface let it dry, rinse it with water and wipe with cloth for shine. It will turn grungy metal into shiny one in no time.

5. Crayon marks on wall is way too difficult to take out. No need to worry as toothpaste can do it for you. Just a dab of it on crayon mark and then rub it gently with wet cloth and let it dry. But be sure that your wall paint allows you to do it, sometimes paint can fade and glossy wall can look less shiny. So better apply on small area first and then see the result.

6. You can clean your iron too. Yes those black patches on your iron can spoil your cloths. Apply toothpaste on iron's surface and scrub gently. Your iron will look new.

7. Now for some clean and clear skin. Apply small amount on pimples, insect bites or bee sting leave it overnight and wash it off in the morning. It reduces blemishes very quickly.

8. To get rid of sour milk smell from baby's milk bottle, take toothpaste on sponge and apply inside the bottle rinse it properly.

9. It can make your sink shiny. Just apply toothpaste all around the sink, faucet and drain, rub it and rinse properly, Sink not only will shine but will smell good also.

10. Take little amount of toothpaste on brush and brush gently on finger nails and toenails. It will make them shiny and healthier. 

11. Toothpaste works well in removing stains from cloths and carpet also. Apply small amount on stain rub it vigorously and then wash in washer. Don't use this on bright colored cloths.

12. Apply elbow grease, water and toothpaste on furniture and then wipe off with  cloth. Your furniture will shine like never before.

13. Sometimes we see those water rings on tables and are too tough to get rid of. Just a tiny drop of toothpaste and rub it off with cloth. 

14. You can bring those scratched CDs and DVDs again to life by applying toothpaste on scratched side of CD/DVD and rub gently in circular motion then wipe off.

15. Toothpaste works wonder on scuffed up leather items and sneakers. Apply small amount on the surface with brush , rub it and then wipe it with clean cloth.

Did you know that apart from 25-45% water, toothpaste contains: 

1. Fluoride

2. Abrasive

3. Detergent

So please take care of sensitive surfaces and areas before using toothpaste. Its always good to run small patch test before using it on skin, bright colored cloth & bold colored or glossy walls.

Do you know some other unusual use of toothpaste.....do share with us :)

Joining Show And Tell Friday!!!

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