Many of your basic kitchen ingredients have uses beyond the kitchen. These versatile and multipurpose ingredients can make your life easier. One of these ingredients is sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda.
Its versatility makes it one of the most important ingredients in any DIY hack, ranging from beauty, skincare to health and even cleaning. Its health benefits and household uses definitely make it a must have in your household. Here are 4 reasons why baking soda is the best DIY ingredient.
1. A Clean Home
While cleaning your home is not a task anyone looks forward to, what if you could make it easy with a basic kitchen ingredient? Well, that’s where baking soda comes to your rescue.
Easy Drain Opener
Baking soda mixed with lemon juice or vinegar is an effective way to unclog drains.
Cleaning cloths and Sponges
You can give your sponges new life by dipping them in a mixture of water and baking soda.
Getting Rid of Stains
The next time you stain your couch or your favourite pair of jeans, drop baking soda over the stain and pour a bit of vinegar. Let this dry and vacuum it up for best results
Clean Steel Sinks
You can bring back the shine to your stainless steel by scrubbing it with a soft cloth sprinkled with baking soda. This is an easy way to avoid the strong cleaning agents ans still keep your sink looking fresh
Shower Curtain Cleaner
Cleaning a shower curtain can be easily done by using a sponge that is damped and sprinkled with baking soda.
2. Miscellaneous Uses
There are everyday situations where baking soda can get you out of a sticky situation.
Odour
Leave baking soda inside your shoes or even in your cloth basket can get rid of the malodours.
Keep Flowers Fresh
Cut flowers can be kept in water that has one teaspoon of baking soda added to keep them fresh for longer
Clean Silverware
You can easily clean tarnished silverware with baking soda. Place your silverware on an aluminium foil. Now add baking soda to warm water and once it foams up, pour the mixture over the silverware, wait for 10 minutes and rinse and dry with a clean towel.
Wash Fruits and Veggies
Baking soda and lemon juice can be used to clean wax off from fruits and vegetables.
3. Health & Hygiene
Baking soda has a variety of uses for a healthy lifestyle and maintaining hygiene. Some of them are:
Heartburn
Baking soda is a simple antacid and is a foolproof way to treat heartburn due to acid reflux. It acts as a neutralising agent and decreases acidity in the stomach.
Insect Bites
A simple paste of baking soda and water can be used as a salve on skin affected by insect bites. It can also alleviate regular skin irritation if you add a cup to your bathwater.
Breath Freshener
Yes, you read it right. Rinsing your mouth with 1 teaspoon of baking powder in a glass of water acts as a mouthwash that can neutralise acidic odours in your mouth, leaving your breath smelling fresh.
Teeth Polish
Using baking soda with your paste once in a while can help you polish your teeth. It is a simple and effective way to make your teeth sparkle.
4. Skincare
A lot of DIY skincare regimes use baking soda as a key ingredient. While there are many skincare routines available, those that consist of everyday kitchen items are definitely worth a shoutout. Here’s why baking soda helps in skincare routines.
Brings a Glow to Your Skin
Mixing baking soda and orange juice is a DIY trick that many swear by for picture-perfect skin. The combined properties can pack a punch when it comes to boosting collagen and removing impurities.
Gets Rid of Pimples and Blemishes
Banishing acne and pimples may be a struggle to many, but baking soda and water can help soothe acne and dry out pimples as well. Its anti-bacterial nature helps to prevent breakouts. Spritzing your face with a baking soda water solution can help you tighten your pores, and avoid clogging and blackheads.
