Before I go any further into parabens and phthalates and all the nasty things they do, I thought an uplifting and informative post was in order. :) Keep on the lookout for upcoming posts on vinegar and essential oils.
Baking soda (not to be confused with baking powder, which you should buy the aluminum free version of, by the way) is a wonder substance. Here is a list of the things I use baking soda for and a few recipes you can use it in.
In the kitchen:
As a scrub on pots and pans
As a leavening agent
To get stubborn stains off floors, counters and out of sinks
In the fridge to keep out odors
Putting out fires
To get out coffee and tea stains (even on fine china!)
To get the wax off of store bought fruits and veggies (put a little on a damp sponge and scrub)
In the trashcan
In the bathroom:
Scrub the counter
Put 1/2 cup baking soda down the sink with hot water periodically to prevent clogs, put 1/2 cup baking soda and vinegar down the sink to get rid of clogs
Make a paste and use it on tough shower stains, residue, mildew spots, toilets, and on shower floors and hardware
Make a paste with lemon juice for the spots where you drop hair dye (Oops!) and scrub!
Dump a box into warm/hot water in your whirlpool tub with 3 cups of vinegar, turn on the jets and let it clean itself out. Rinse the tub and you're done :)
Sprinkle liberally in the bottom of diaper pails and trashcans
Cleaners:
Detergent: 1/3 cup baking soda, 1/3 cup borax and 1/3 cup liquid castille soap plus hot water in a one gallon jug (keep the lid, you have to shake before each use) and use 1/2 a cup per load of laundry.
General counter cleaner: 2 cups of vinegar, one cup of hot water and 1 cup of baking soda and 25 drops of tea tree oil. Mix all in a spray bottle and use to clean counters and cabinets and the shelves of refrigerators.
Cloth Diaper refresher: add 1/2 cup to a load that needs some refreshing (this does not strip, but it will rebalance the ph in the fabrics) This also works on socks ;)
Personal Care:
Toothpaste: put a little baking soda in your palm, wet your toothbrush and dip it in the baking soda and scrub. If you want extra whitening, after scrubbing rinse your mouth with peroxide (it is totally safe, check the bottle) and give an extra scrub. This is especially great for people who like coffee/tea/wine.
As a facial scrub: pour a teaspoon or so into your palm and add enough water so that it moves over your skin easily and scrub. This is a great mini facial and exfoliator, but I don't recommend using it more than once a week as it can really dry out your skin.
As a "no-poo" shampoo: sprinkle it onto your scalp, rub it around and rinse
Fill up your bath tub, pour in 1/2 to a whole box and 1 cup of epsom salt for a ph balancing whole body soak, add some chamomile bath sachets (or tea bags) for a super treat for your skin
Tooth whitener: mush up a strawberry and add enough baking soda to make a paste. Brush it on your teeth with an old toothbrush and leave it for 5 minutes. Do not do this more than once a week!!!
For bee stings: make a paste with water and leave it on the sting until it's dry. It pulls out the poison and is much more hygienic than tobacco!
