BAKING SODA – A VERSATILE ALL ROUNDER

 

I was attending a conference in Dehradun and staying in a boutique hotel. One afternoon I noticed a house keeping person cleaning a pair of swords that were used as decoration pieces in the hotel lobby. I suddenly remembered that my brother-in-law had presented me with a pair of similar swords, and they needed some shining to make them presentable once again. So, I asked the young man what he was using to make them shine. “Baking soda and vinegar” he said.

 

We started talking and I soon realized that this young man was very knowledgeable, and studying hotel management. He told me that baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a versatile compound used in cooking, cleaning, and has health applications due to its alkaline properties and leavening ability. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), is a white crystalline powder with a slightly salty, alkaline taste. It is commonly used in baking as a leavening agent, reacting with acids like vinegar, lemon juice, or cream of tartar to produce carbon dioxide, which causes dough and batter to rise, creating a light and fluffy texture in bread, cakes, and muffins.

 

However, my friend apprised me of many other uses of baking soda:

 

1. Whitens Your Teeth

You've probably noticed many toothpaste brands featuring baking soda as a main ingredient, and for good reason. Baking soda helps remove stains and discolorations from the surface of the teeth or enamel. You can simply add a teaspoon of the sodium bicarbonate to your toothpaste, and brush for a few minutes. Don't forget to rinse well. 

 

2. Unclog Drains

Baking soda can help unclog blocked drainpipes when combined together with vinegar. Pour a pot of boiling hot water down the drain with half a cup of baking soda. Let the natural drain cleaner go to work for a few minutes. Add a cup of vinegar mixed with hot water on top of the baking soda, then cover the drain with a plug. Your drains should be super clean in less than 10 minutes. 

 

3. Keeps Your Breath Fresh

Are you trying to get rid of the smell of that garlic you had for lunch? Baking soda can help with that. Baking soda works like magic for freshening your breath, and acts as a natural mouthwash. Put a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water and use it as a mouthwash, your bad breath will be history!

 

4. Cleaning the Sink, Ovens and Kitchen tiles.

Add a 1/4 cup of baking soda into a sink full of water, and let it act for a few minutes. Let the solution absorb all the chemicals before rinsing and cleaning. The oil and grease marks and stains will disappear. Mixing it with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar may also help control the growth of harmful microorganisms, including mold or bacteria.

You can make a paste by mixing baking soda with an equal amount of lemon juice and a bit of water. Apply the paste to the desired surface with a sponge or cloth and scrub thoroughly. Ovens and kitchen tiles can also be cleaned similarly.

 

5. Relieve Insect Bites

Baking soda can alleviate the itching of a mosquito bite. The alkaline inside the sodium bicarbonate neutralizes the skin irritation, and provides instant relief. Add a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water, and then dip the mixture on the affected areas by using a clean cloth. 

 

6. Relieve Heartburn

There are many natural home remedies for treating heartburn, including a feature we did here. One of the remedies includes baking soda. Baking soda acts as a natural antacid when mixed with water, and helps reduce acid reflux. Add half a teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of warm water. Make sure the solution dissolves well before drinking. 

 

7. Relieve Skin Irritation 

Baking soda helps relieve skin irritations when applied as a paste with witch hazel. Gently apply the paste on the itchy spots, and let it relieve the discomfort. You should consult with a physician beforehand if you suffer from dermatitis or other serious skin disease.

 

8. Deodorize the Refrigerator 

Baking soda can eliminate horrible smells from the fridge and keep it deodorized. Sprinkle a little baking soda with water onto a damp sponge, and clean the refrigerator thoroughly. Make sure you remove all the food before cleaning the shelves out.  

 

9. Remove Oil and Grease

Another excellent use for baking soda is that it can be used to remove oil and grease stains from upholstery. Place a little dab of the baking soda onto a clean white cloth, and allow between 10-15 minutes for the substance to go to work. The oil and grease stains should magically dissolve by that point. 

 

10. Simple Floor Cleaner

Baking soda can act as a natural floor cleaner to remove unwanted stains. Add a half cup of baking soda into a bucket of warm water, and use the mixture to mop up the mess. Some people even add a little dash of lemon extract for a fresh and pleasant smell. The baking soda also acts as a disinfectant.

 

11. Polish Silver Flatware

Are you having a hard time removing the grease from your beautiful silverware? Baking soda will have it sparkling in no time! You'll need some aluminum foil, a glass dish, a tablespoon of baking soda, a tablespoon of sea salt, half a cup of white vinegar and a cup of boiling hot water. Dip the silverware into the mix, and use a pair of tongs to remove them from the boiling water.  

 

12. Remove Odors from Your Hands

Baking soda can clean your hands from heavy-smelling odors. Sprinkle a little baking soda onto your hands, and rub them together. You can even add some toothpaste or mouthwash to one hand and rub. Don't forget to rinse your hands with water after.

 

13. Deodorize Garbage Disposals 

There is no smell quite as unpleasant as a clogged garbage disposal, especially during the summer time. Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, while allowing warm water to run. The soda neutralizes the foul odor, giving your garbage disposal a fresh clean smell.  

 

14. Homemade Air Freshener 

The vast majority of air fresheners contain harmful chemicals and toxins that are unsafe to breathe in. Baking soda acts as a natural ingredient to help sanitize any disinfected areas. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with water into an empty spray bottle, and voila!

 

15. A Self-Made Deodorant 

1/3 cup coconut oil 2 tablespoons baking soda  1/3 cup arrowroot powder  10 to 15 essential oils of preference (optional)  Mix everything into a small mixing bowl. You can add the essential oils after the mixture has been made. Place the concoction into a small container, and allow it to sit for a few minutes before applying the solution. 

 

16. Clean Your Combs and Brushes 

We can get rid of oil buildup and residue from our combs or brushes simply by adding baking soda. Soak the combs or brushes forn 15 minutes into a solution of a table spoon of baking soda and water. Let them dry out on a towel afterward.      

 

17. Keep Cut Flowers Fresher for Longer Periods 

Baking soda can help extend the longevity of the cut flowers by adding a teaspoon of the white sodium powder to the water in the vase. 

 

18. Pamper Your Feet 

Baking soda eliminates foot odors, fungus, and even Athlete's foot. Soak your feet in a tub of warm water, and then add about 3 tablespoons of baking soda. The homemade pedicure should help get rid of the bacteria causing the unpleasant foot odors. 

 

19. Carpet Deodorizer 

Sprinkle a dash of baking soda over your carpeting to remove harsh stains. Baking soda absorbs the odors naturally. Allow the soda to settle into the carpeting for a few hours before vacuuming it up. 

 

20. Easy Microwave Cleanup

Baking soda can help clean out all the spilled sauces inside the microwave. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl with a cup of water, and let the concoction settle for three minutes. Your microwave will be as good as new!

 

21. Freshen Coat Closets 

Keep an open box of baking soda inside your closet to remove any odors that are trapped inside. The powerful, powdery scent will keep your closets fresh and clean all year round. The closet floor can be mopped using a vinegar and baking soda mix.

 

22. Keep Ants Away 

Ants are terrible pests, and they can invade our home in the blink of an eye! Baking soda stops the tiny pests in their tracks. A home-made pest solution with a little baking soda and a trail of regular sugar can do wonders. The sugar is what attracts them, while the baking soda kills them. Pest problem solved! 

 

23. Whitens and cleans laundry.

That’s because it’s an alkali — a soluble salt — that can help remove dirt and stains. An alkali, like baking soda, works by interacting with acids in stains when dissolved in water.

To try it out, add 1/2 cup (110 g) of baking soda to your regular amount of laundry detergent. It also helps soften the water, so you may need less detergent than usual.

24. Removing pesticides frrom fruits and vegetables

Many people are concerned about pesticide residue on foods. Pesticides are used to protect crops from insects, germs, rodents, and weeds, but many have harmful effects on human health. Peeling fruit is the best way to remove pesticides. However, it also means you don’t get all of the important nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals, found in the skins of many fruits. S baking soda wash is the most effective way to remove the remenants of pesticides from farm produce.

 

25. Scorched pots and pans cleaner

It’s easy to accidentally scorch the bottom of a pot while cooking. These can be a nightmare to clean, but you can save a scorched pot with baking soda and water. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the bottom of the pot, and add enough water to cover the burnt areas. Bring the mixture to a boil and empty the pan as usual or scrub gently and your clean pot is back.

 

Baking soda is 4 million years ago when salt lakes around the world evaporated and formed trona deposits. Trona is the rock that’s processed into soda ash (sodium carbonate), a naturally occurring mineral. Soda ash can then be processed to make baking soda. The world’s largest deposit of trona is in Wyoming, which produced more than 17 million tons of the mineral in 2018 for export around the world. In India it is manufactured by Tata Chemicals in its state of the art facility in Mithapur, Gujarat.