Save $$ with Baking Soda

I love baking soda because it can be used in so many ways and it's so inexpensive!

I decided to learn as much as I could about it, so I went to swagbucks and looked it up.  I discovered that it's a "salt bicarbonate of soda".  That, to me, meant absolutely nothing, so I looked up the word "bicarbonate".   I promise I read all the words, but it just didn't do me any good.  I would have been better of trying to figure out ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.  So, instead of knowing what it is exactly I'm just glad that it's useful and totally safe for children and the environment. (Not that I sit around and worry about the environment or anything, but I do like to think my kids are safe.)  =)

Here are a few ideas to help you save money and live more naturally at the same time:

1. Everyone knows that you can put baking soda in the fridge to soak up all the smells.  Before you throw it out and replace it, (it should be replaced every 2 months) throw it down the sink (especially if you have a food disposal) and let it sit for a few hours.  You may need to do it overnight.  I use my sink too often during the day to do it then.  It should help with smells. 
2. Put some baking soda in your favorite shampoo - just a tiny bit, and mix it in the palm of your hand.  It will help get rid of dandruff or hair spray build up.  
3. Use a bit of baking soda and water to make a scrub for your face.  It exfoliates the skin, but it will dry it out if used too often, so be very careful.
4. Add a bit of baking soda to a pot of beans or chili while they are soaking.  Rinse before you cook them.  It will remove some of the gas.
5. Kill cockroaches!!  Mix equal parts baking soda and sugar and set out.  Way cheaper than buying expensive pesticides.  Be careful not to put it in a place where pets or young children will find it and eat it.  Although it's safe and won't hurt them, too much will make them sick.
6. Dissolve some in lukewarm bath water and it will help with itchy rashes from bug bites, eczema, poison ivy and other irritants.
7. Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in cold water to wash fresh produce or garden vegetables.
8. Smelly shoes??  Sprinkle a little baking soda in them over night and/or set them in the sun for a few hours.
9. Use in place of carpet deodorizers.  Sprinkle on the carpet.  Let it set for a half hour.  And vacuum.  It'll save you $$!
10. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with water and use as a slave to take the sting and itch out of a bee/wasp sting.
11. Make a paste with baking soda and water and use it to remove stains in sinks, cups, cutting boards, tile, grout and counter tops.  It works like bleach, but is much safer and is safe on marble counter tops.  It will also take crayon and marker off walls. 
12. Here's one I found...replace baking soda with expensive pool chemicals.  1.5 pounds of baking soda for every 10,000 gallons of water.  For more information on this and other baking soda ideas go here.