Baking Soda- It's not just BS

I have changed a lot in the last 10 years or so.  Much of it, I am sure, comes from being a mom of two and a wife (kind of sucks me dry).  No longer can I go out and blow money on the oh so many things I want, so I have been forced to get creative.  Well, I am trying anyway!  And I am thoroughly enjoying this chapter in my life.  But I miss those massages, pedicures, waxes, and all the other frivolous, incredibly enjoyable indulgences, that the princess inside me LOVES!


My grandmother was the first to teach me about the baking soda power and I have found it to be incredibly helpful through my life.  I, myself, am easily bothered by stings, bites, plants, allergies of all kinds, hair, ...you get the picture...and my son; well, he is my 6 year old boy.  Today he caught a bee.  I told him for weeks (longer actually) NOT to do that.  I might have said, "What, are you crazy? That bee will sting you!"  He, of course, continued to catch them and succeeded today with a sting to show for it.  

One of my son's favorite pastimes, much to his mother's dismay, is studying spiders (which means catching them and making homes in one of his many critter containers).  He has gotten bitten SO many times, and let me tell you...it is UGLY and PAINFUL.  

• Medicinal Uses- Baking soda is the answer.  Mix it with a few drops of water to create a paste and spread it over the sore.  It will draw that nasty, puss poison right out of there. Be persistent though.  It is not a once and done remedy.  This works for mosquito bites too.  If you do it immediately, no red welt will develop.  Another medicinal use comes with treating sunburn.  Sprinkle some BS in the tub to relieve stinging and calm skin.  Cradle cap can also be treated in this manner (just keep away from eyes).  Canker sores as well; mix warm water and baking soda and swish the mixture and spit.  Repeat every couple hours.  Even Fido can benefit from the power of the soda!  Use this solution to clean out your pet's ears.                                                    There is an awesome DIY recipe for a foot soak using baking soda and epsom salt at LIVESTRONG.com.  The baking soda soothes dry skin.

• Clean your dishwasher- Put a cup of baking soda on the bottom of your dishwasher and run the rinse cycle.  Cleans it right up!

• Water repellent-  Wipe some baking soda and warm water on your windshield and rain will slid off more easily.

• You ever burn a pan?  I have.  It is salvageable...fill the pan with about 1/4 water and a cup of baking soda and bring it to a boil.. Turn it off and let it rest overnight...in the am it should clean up easily.  The same idea applies with thermoses or containers that smell funky.  Put in some warm water and a tablespoon of baking soda and let it sit overnight.  

• Clean a drain- Dump down a cup of Baking Soda and a cup of vinegar and let it sit for a bit.  Then dump down a pot full of boiling water.  This is more of a maintenance things.  It would work on serious blockages.

• Fishy Hands?  Wash with baking soda and take that smell away so you can enjoy your dinner!

• Garbage-  Sprinkle some on the bottom of the can and leave it smelling fresh. 
  

• Clean out hairbrushes and toothbrushes with baking soda.

• Tomato Plants-  Sprinkle some baking soda in the soil to make those maters sweeter.

• Fluffify your omelets...can't get that fluff?  Put in a LITTLE (maybe 1/4 teaspoon) into your eggs and you should see nice results.

• Veggie Wash-  A baking soda bath for your produce is awesome.  It removes pesticides and wax.