Archive for July, 2009

Baking Soda

This past week I came to the stark and disparaging realization that only 2 people in a household, using minimal paper products to save money don’t seem to empty the trash as frequently as my family of 7 did. While this may at first sound wonderful, I came across the realization because my kitchen smelled like something terrible! So, after considering my problem for awhile, I found out that baking soda is wonderful to remove odors in the trash can. Just sprinkle some in the bottom before putting the trash bag in and change it out when needed. Sometimes I even sprinkle it in the trash bag as well and I have heard that you can wash your trash cans with it. This is a simple, clean, and cheap way to take the smell out of a stinky kitchen trash can. I looked online to find that thefarm.org has even more ways to use baking soda around the house:

* Baking Powder – sift together: 2 parts of Cream of Tartar, 1 part baking soda, 1 part cornstarch
* Fire Extinguisher – Keep handy in your house and in your garage to put out electrical, grease, clothing, fuel, wood, upholstery, and rug fires
* Veggie/Fruit Cleaner – Soak and rinse vegetables and fruits in water sprinkled with soda
* Degreaser – Remove stains from clothes by adding baking soda to the wash water
* Refrigerator Cleaner – Clean freezer and fridge with dry soda sprinkled on a damp cloth then rinse with clear water
* Deodorizer – Deodorize refrigerator/freezer by leaving an open container of baking soda to absorb odors – stir and turn over from time to time and replace every 2 months; Deodorize dishwasher by sprinkling soda in the bottom or run through a cycle with soda instead of soap to clean; Deodorize shoes, socks, boots, and slippers by sprinkling soda in them
* Kitty Litter Odor Absorber – Cover the bottom of the kitty box with 1 part soda then add 3 parts kitty litter on top
* Detergent – Add 1/2 cup soda to each washing machine load
* Cleaner – Use to clean combs, brushes, food and drink containers, marble-top furniture (solution of 3 tablespoons soda to 1 quart warm water – let stand, then rinse), Formica counter-tops, thermos bottles, ice chests, glass or steel coffee pots (not aluminum) (solution of 3 tablespoons soda to 1 quart water – run coffee maker through cycle with soda solution), baby bottles, barbecue grills, greasy garage floors
* Polish Silverware – Use dry soda on a damp cloth, rub, rinse, and dry
* Food Remover – Soak pans with burned-on food in soda and water for 10 minutes before washing or scrub with soda on scouring pad; For badly stuck-on food, pour a thick layer of soda directly onto pan bottom, sprinkle with water to moisten, leave overnight, scrub the next day
* Shine Stainless Steel/Chrome – Rub with dry baking soda on a moist cloth – rinse and dry (scrub in the direction of the grain)
* Bathroom Cleaner – Dry soda on a moist sponge cleans sinks, tubs, tiles, shower stalls, etc; Soak shower curtains in soda and water to clean
* Drain Cleaner – Flush 4 tablespoons soda down drains with hot water each week
* Hand Odor Remover – Scrub with soda and water before rinsing
* Toothpaste – Brush your teeth with soda on your toothbrush to whiten
* Diaper Rash – 2 tablespoons baking soda in your baby’s bath water will relieve diaper rash
* Skin Irritation – Soda mixed with water to bee stings, rashes, chicken pox, insect bites (baking soda and vinegar) and poison ivy will help relieve discomfort
* Heartburn – 1/2 teaspoon baking soda + 1/2 cup water – relieves indigestion/heartburn
* Sunburn/Windburn – Make paste from baking soda and water
* Windshield Rain Repellent – Smear baking soda on dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out
* Melted Bags – Dampen cloth and use baking soda as abrasive to remove melted plastic bread wrappers from toasters
* Sour Dishcloths – Soak in baking soda and water mixture