There is a huge push today to know exactly what is in our daily household cleaners. Because of this many people turn to making their own cleaning supplies to control exactly what is used to clean surfaces in their homes. With so many household cleansers on the market riddled with chemicals that cause respiratory, hormonal and dermal disruptions, there has to be a natural solution. There are so many ways to take care of your house in a manner that will not harm you or your family. Baking soda is a real cleaning powerhouse around the home. It removes stains, sanitizes, deodorizes, polishes, cuts through grease and much more. The best part? It costs a fraction of the cleaners you buy at the store, and a single box can tackle more than one task. I buy mine by the 13 pound bag for $6.50 at HEB.
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, a natural substance that maintains the pH balance. Baking soda neutralizes both acids and bases, so it actually eliminates odors rather than just covering them up. Baking soda can also act as a very mild abrasive cleaner perfect for removing stains from sinks, countertops, and even fine china. Baking soda is very similar to the compound known as washing soda (sodium carbonate) and can serve the same function in the laundry. It is a very mild alkaline powder that slightly raises the pH of water when it is mixed in. It is also a mild antiseptic that will discourage bacteria growth.
My favorite way to use baking soda is to combine it with essential oils and place it in a nice container for multiple usage, preferably one with a shaker top. This great tool is phenomenal as an alternative to carpet fresheners. The beauty of being able to customize it depending on your mood, the season or the essential benefit makes for multiple jars around my place. This combination of natures goodness can be used as a laundry booster for whiter whites and brighter brights. I love using citrus oils the most! You can also use it as a scouring powder for cleaning countertops, toilets and sinks. I shake a bit of baking soda mixed with tea tree and peppermint oils on my mattress after I take off my old sheets and before I replace them with new ones, the smell and antibacterial properties are a delight. Last but not least, this simple mixture of baking soda can be added to your bathwater. The benefits of bathing in baking soda run the gamut from helping alleviate UTI's and yeast infections, soothing poison ivy, poison oak, or sumac and also assisting in healing fungal skin and nail infections.
I know you have a container of baking soda in your home, it is an essential staple that can be used for more than drawing bad odors from your refrigerator. Try it out in a different way!
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