What's all the hype about Baking Soda?

Baking Soda is a staple in just about every household. In some homes it's used strictly for baking, in others you will find the standard box in the refrigerator. In my home, it is used for just about everything. It is cheap, safe and actually does what it claims to do. What more could you ask for!

Baking Soda is sodium bicarbonate. It is found naturally in mineral deposits. Most of the baking soda in North America is mined in Wyoming. Not that it really matters, all we have to do is buzz down to the local grocery store and grab a box, and we don't really have to travel to Wyoming….unless we want to.

If you go to the Arm & Hammer website you will find a great section on all the things you can do with baking soda.

You probably know by now that baking soda can be used for just about anything. It is one of the most multifaceted natural products you will ever find. There has been resurgence in the use of baking soda over the last 20 years due to the increased interest in using environmentally friendly products. Studies show that baking soda is environmentally benign.

Check out this study at Pubmed, Safety and Efficacy of Baking Soda

There is a ton of information on the internet giving tips on the many uses of baking soda but chances are you've learned a few from your mom. You know it's a cleaning solution, that it neutralizes odors and cleans the drains with a bit of vinegar.

You probably know more than you think. Growing up, my mother used baking soda for everything. But it wasn't until I got sick that I went back to my roots and discovered that baking soda could really be used for 'everything'!!

If you don't know the difference between baking soda and baking powder check out this article What Is the Difference Between Baking Soda & Baking Powder?

My Healthy Home Baking Soda Tips for the Kitchen:

Quick note: I don't bake or cook so you won't find a single tip on using baking soda for cooking from me!

#1 Clean your cutting board weekly with baking soda. Spread baking soda over entire surface then pour some vinegar on it and let it bubble away all those nasty odors and bacteria.

#2 Put a good amount of baking soda in your kitchen drain pour a good amount of vinegar down the drain to clean out your pipes. It will kill the bacteria and get rid of that nasty lingering odor.

#3 Make a paste of baking soda and water to scrub your flat top range. Let it sit for about a half hour then scrub again using a cloth rag it will make your range sparkle like new!

#4 Put a teaspoon of baking soda in your blender with water and a drop of dish soap put the lid on and blend until clean.

#5 Just chopped onions and garlic for your famous salsa? Take baking soda and sprinkle into the palm of your hand add just a touch of water, enough to make a paste scrub and rinse! No garlic or onion smell.

#6 Want your stainless steel kitchen sink to shine? Sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda all around your sink add just enough water to make a paste and scrub with a damp cleaning rag.

#7 Does your dishwasher have a bit of an odor? Next cycle sprinkle a good amount of baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher and run the cycle as usual. Your dishwasher will smell as if new, not to mention that load of dishes will come out cleaner!

#8 Make your tarnished silver sparkle! In a bowl mix baking soda and water, make into a paste. Apply the paste to your silver using a rag; you may have to scrub a little but the baking soda should take the tarnish right off! No more nasty chemicals needed! Note: if you do this outside do not pour your dirty water and baking soda in the grass it will kill it! We learned the hard way.

#9 To get hard water stains off kitchen faucets or any faucet for that matter, make a paste out of baking soda and toothpaste use an old toothbrush to get in those tiny crevices.

#10 Going out of town? Sprinkle some baking soda down your kitchen drains and in the bottom of your dishwasher (make sure you leave the dishwasher open just a crack.) You won't come home to those nasty lingering odors.

#11 Make a paste with baking soda and water and scrub your plastic storage containers; nothing cleans plastic as well as baking soda. If you have lingering odors, sprinkle dry plastic container with baking soda, put the lid on and let it sit over night. That should take care of any lingering odors.

#12 Clean your coffee maker with 1-quart warm water and ¼ cup of baking soda, brew. Do this once a week and your coffee will taste great every time you brew a pot.

Want to learn more about Healthy Homes? Check out my Healthy Home page for information on building a healthy home and more tips on healthy living

OK so maybe I didn't get all my tips from my Mom- check out Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of (Lansky, Vicki)

Check back again next week when my baby, affectionately known as Baby Izzy, brings you all her favorite baking soda tips for your baby!

I could go on forever; baking soda is amazing stuff but I don't want to overload you…. Check back for more great tips.

Take the conscious road to authentic power!

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