uses of baking soda

Snagged this from House+Made and thought I post it here.

1. Use as a on-toxic, natural scouring powder (use like Soft Scrub or Comet, but you don’t need gloves!)
2. Create a ‘foam gun’ by mixing vinegar and baking soda in a soda bottle (DO NOT put the lid on!); aim it at a friend for full effect.
3. To make your own baking powder, stir and sift together 2 parts of Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1 part cornstarch.
4. Makes a last-resort fire extinguisher, great for grease fires (to which you should NEVER add water), also.
5. Add 1/4 cup when re-washing a load of stinky laundry that sat in the washer too long.
6. Soda absorbs kitty-litter stinkiness. Cover the bottom of the litter box with a layer of baking soda then add kitty litter on top.
7. Wash out thermoses, sippy cups, and other closed containers with soda and water to get rid of stale odors.
8. Clean your coffee maker by running it through its cycle with a solution of 1 part baking soda to 4 parts water.
9. Polish your silver with a bit of soda on a damp rag.
10. Rub a solution of baking soda and water on your windshield to keep it from fogging up.
11. To remove strong smells from your hands wash with baking soda and water, then rinse.
12. Add 2 Tbsp. of baking soda to baby’s bath water to help relieve diaper rash irritations.
13. Make a paste of baking soda and a little water and apply directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy to relieve discomfort.
14. Make a smooth, white playdough: mix together 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch. Sprinkle on carpets or upholstery and vacuum up to remove pet smell and other disagreeable odors.
15. Relieve canker sore pain by using it as mouthwash.
16. Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon to the water in the vase.
17. Put an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb the odors.
18. Sprinkle it in your slippers, boots, and shoes to alleviate shoe smells.
19. Put it under sinks and along basement windows to repel crawling insects.
20. Sprinkle around the garden to prevent rabbits from eating your veggies and to sweeten your tomatoes.
21. Add a cup to the toilet, leave it for an hour, and then flush. It will clean the toilet and absorb the odor.
22. Use a paste of baking soda mixed with water as an anti-acne face scrub.
23. Scrub fruits and vegetables with baking soda and water to remove pesticide residues and wax.
24. Mix 1 tsp. baking soda with your usual shampoo to remove styling product build-up and to relieve oily scalp.
25. Make ‘invisible ink’ by mixing equal parts baking soda and water; paint on paper then hold up to a lightbulb to read the message (the heat will brown the baking soda)
26. To open up a partially clogged drain, pour 1/2 c baking soda in, then add 1 cup of vinegar; let bubble for several minutes, then run hot water down the drain.
27. Combine equal parts baking soda and borax to make your own dishwasher detergent.
28. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda in the bottom of your trashcan to alleviate stinky trash odors.
29. Scour crayon and pencil marks off of your wall without damaging paint with a bit of baking soda on a damp cloth.
30. Freshen up your toothbrushes by soaking in a solution of equal parts baking soda and water.
31. Sweeten your breath by using a solution of baking soda and water as a mouthwash.
32. Brush your teeth with baking soda to whiten and remove stains naturally.
33. Make a solution of 1 Tbsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. liquid soap, and 1 gallon of water; spray on plants to keep powdery mildew at bay.
34. Add 1/2 cup baking soda to your washing for whiter whites and brighter colors.
35. Pretreat clothes with a paste made from 4 Tbsp. baking soda and 1/4 cup warm water to remove stains (even perspiration!).
36. Sprinkle on steps and sidewalks as a wintertime de-icer.
37. Keep weeds from growing out of cracks in your concrete walk- or driveway by sprinkling generous amounts of baking soda into the cracks.
38. Rid your pet of earmites by washing out their ears with a cotton ball dipped in a solution of 1 tsp baking soda in 1 cup warm water.