Baking Soda (NaHCO 3)~ A few good uses

Baking soda has been around a very long time, and has had a variety of uses besides "Baking". Here are a few things maybe you didn't know it was good for or how to use it for these purposes.

Brushing your teeth, it adds a little abrasive to knock off stubborn plaque and make you mouth feel fresh hence its odor reducing properties. Here is a recipe for making a homemade toothpaste.
1 cup coconut oil
1/2 c baking soda
1 tsp, splenda (optional)
10 drops of peppermint oil (i am thinking of trying tea tree oil as well, Melaluca
is an awesome natural product) (this may be too strong start with less and add to)
stir to a paste and store in an airtight jar.
Sounds very cool and inexpensive

I discusses the No Poo scalp cleansing method in a previous entry, check back to
New Years Resolution on December 28, 2012

You can also use it in a light abrasive nutrient cleansing oil for the face/skin
This is a refreshing change for all skin types, since the oils are natural your skin will soak then in.
equal parts of
coconut oil (yes the pure kind you can cook with),
100% shea butter (yes the kind that is pretty solid),
and good quality olive oil.
I melted the coconut and shea together for about 40 seconds in 20 second bursts in the microwave, then stirred until they were completely melted. Pour into a dark bottle add olive oil and give it a shake. I added a tiny bit of almond extract(yes the kind you cook with) just to give a really pleasing scent. You massage this onto your face and then use a soft washcloth and warm water to gently rub off, it leaves your skin feeling clean, soft and fresh. Once a week you can pour a little over some baking soda or extra-fine sugar for a nice exfoilating scrub. It is a nourishing emollient, that can cut your skin cleansing product expenses in half. (Mix with some salt for a really great exfoilating body scrub, thinking ahead to spring)

Did you know you can use Baking Soda to unglog a drain
sprinkle baking soda into the drain, then add some white vinegar (yup kiddo chemistry)
after it is finished with its reaction, I usually just leave it awhile to bubble and loosen whatever is in the drain. Then I finish with some boiling water.
unless you live with a sasquach and there is just a mega hairball down there this will normally move it out.

I leave you with just a tiny bit of Baking Soda History for this entry
Baking Soda is a leavening agent and is commonly grouped with yeast
Mixing Baking SOda and Vinegar to cause the release of Carbon Dioxide and cause effervessing is the most commonly known early Chemistry experiment
This link has interesting facts about Baking Soda

http://www.studymode.com/essays/History-Of-Baking-Soda-410630.html

So Check to see if your box of Soda is fresh in your fridge.
and here are 60 uses for Baking Soda
http://www.thelosthaven.co.uk/BSoda.htm

Have a Great Friday