Benefits and Uses for Baking Soda

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is widely used in baking.This is because it has leavening properties, meaning it causes dough to rise by producing carbon dioxide. Aside from cooking, baking soda has a variety of additional household uses and health benefits.
 

Here are the benefits and uses of baking soda(Sodium bicarbonate).

1. Treat heartburn

Heartburn is also known as acid reflux. It’s a painful, burning sensation that arises in the upper region of your stomach and can spread up into your throat (1Trusted Source).

It’s caused by acid refluxing out of the stomach and up your esophagus, the tube that connects your stomach to your mouth.
Baking soda can help treat heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid. Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of cold water and drink the mixture slowly.

2. Mouthwash

Mouthwash is a great addition to a good oral hygiene routine. It reaches corners of your mouth and crevices of your teeth, gums, and tongue, which may be missed during brushing.

Many people use baking soda as a replacement for mouthwash. Some studies have shown it can help freshen your breath and even provide antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

The recipe:-
Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to half a glass of warm water, and then swish as usual.

3. Soothe canker sores


Canker sores are small, painful ulcers that can form inside your mouth. Unlike cold sores, canker sores do not form on the lips and aren’t contagious.

Though more evidence is needed, some research has found that baking soda mouthwash is great for soothing pain caused by canker sores.

4. Whiten your teeth

Baking soda is a popular home remedy for whitening teeth.

Many studies have found that toothpaste containing baking soda is better for whitening teeth and removing plaque than toothpaste without baking soda.

5. Deodorant

Surprisingly, human sweat is odorless.Sweat only gains an odor after it’s broken down by bacteria in your armpits. These bacteria convert your sweat into acidic waste products that give sweat its odor.

6.Neutralize fridge odors 

Some foods in your fridge have overstayed their welcome and started spoiling. This foul odor may stick around long after emptying the fridge and cleaning it thoroughly.
Fortunately, baking soda can help freshen a smelly fridge by neutralizing bad odors. It interacts with the odor particles to eliminate them, rather than just masking their smell

Fill a cup with baking soda and place it in the back of your fridge to neutralize bad odors.

7.Air freshener

Not all commercial air fresheners eliminate bad odors. Instead, some simply release fragrance molecules that mask bad smells.

In addition, fewer than 10% of air fresheners tell you what they contain. This can be problematic if you are sensitive to chemicals that may be found in air fresheners .

Baking soda is an excellent and safe alternative to commercial air fresheners. It interacts with odor particles and neutralizes them, rather than masking them.

To create a baking soda air freshener, you will need:
a small jar
1/3 cup baking soda
10–15 drops of your favorite essential oils
a piece of cloth or paper
string or ribbon

Add the baking soda and essential oils to the jar. Cover it with the cloth or paper, and then secure it in place with the string. When the scent starts to fade, give the jar a shake.

8.Kitchen cleaner

The versatility of baking soda makes it a great kitchen cleaner. It can not only remove tough stains but also help eliminate foul odors.
To use baking soda in your kitchen, make a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water. Apply the paste to the desired surface with a sponge or cloth and scrub thoroughly.

9.Remove stubborn carpet stains

A combination of baking soda and vinegar can remove the most stubborn carpet stains.
When baking soda and vinegar are mixed, they create a compound called carbonic acid, which is a common ingredient in cleaning products. This reaction creates a lot of fizzing, which may help break down tough stains. 

Here’s how you can eliminate stubborn carpet stains with just baking soda and vinegar: 

Cover the carpet stain with a thin layer of baking soda.
Fill an empty spray bottle with a 1-to-1 mixture of vinegar and water and spray it over the stained area.
Wait up to 1 hour or until the surface dries.
Scrub the baking soda loose with a brush and vacuum the residue.
The stain should now be completely removed. If there’s some baking soda residue left on the carpet, wipe it up with a damp towel.

10.Clean fruits and veggies

Many people worry about pesticides on foods. Pesticides are used to prevent crops from damage by insects, germs, rodents, and weeds. Peeling fruit is the best way to remove pesticides. However, it also means you don’t get the important nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals, found in the skins of many fruits.
Interestingly, recent research has found that soaking fruits and veggies in a baking soda wash is the most effective way to remove pesticides without peeling them.

11.Homemade weed killer 

Weeds are pesky plants that can grow in the cracks of your walkways and driveways. They often have deep roots, making them hard to kill without using a chemical weed killer. Fortunately, you can use baking soda as a cheaper and safer alternative. That’s because baking soda is high in sodium, which creates a harsh environment for weeds.
Sprinkle a few handfuls of baking soda over weeds that are growing in the cracks of your sidewalk, driveways, and other weed-infested areas.
However, avoid using baking soda to kill weeds in your flowerbeds and gardens, as it may kill your other plants as well.


                             Baking soda is a versatile ingredient that has many uses besides cooking.                                         
It shines when it comes to neutralizing odors and cleaning. This household staple can help remove tough stains, eliminate foul odors, and clean difficult areas like the oven, microwave, and tile grout.
In addition, baking soda has a variety of health benefits. For example, it can help treat heartburn, soothe canker sores, and even whiten your teeth.

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