Baking Soda

Sodium hydrogen carbonate is the proper chemical name for sodium bicarbonate which we know as baking soda.  It is a non-toxic chemical white powder compound.   Baking soda is a versatile product that is inexpensive and effective for uses for the home and body.   This one product will cover personal care, cooking, cleaning and laundry.  In our home, we use it to clean all over the house and we use it for body products and first aid.  Here are 20 of my favorite ways to incorporate baking soda into health, beauty and cleaning routines.  Baking soda can be used dry or as a paste by mixing with water.  It can also be used with other ingredients to create laundry detergent and deodorant.  This versatile substance can be purchased by the 13 pound bag for a little over $5.00.  The baking soda will keep for a long time if kept dry.  I usually pour some into a large glass canning jar and leave it next to the kitchen sink.   The bag gets stored away.  With multiple uses, we manage to go through about two or three bags a year.  Let’s reject commercial chemical and petroleum based products.  We should be responsible for our own impact on Earth and help our communities send a message to industrial polluters:  “We are not going to buy your garbage anymore!”

Powder Power List:

1.       Gentle facial scrub
2.       Clean stains from coffee mugs
3.       Clean food and oils from stovetop
4.       Soothe insect bites
5.       Sprinkle on floor around toilet (absorbs wayward sprays from little boys)
6.       Deodorize shoes
7.       Deodorize trashcans
8.       Clean tub and bathroom sink
9.       Add to warm water and soak feet
10.   Soak combs and brushes
11.   Mouthwash
12.   Deodorize sink drains
13.   Clean burned cooking pots
14.   Deodorize carpets
15.   Clean and deodorize the refrigerator
16.   Extinguish fire
17.   Sprinkle on dirty clothes awaiting laundry day
18.   Deodorize vacuum cleaner bag or canister
19.   Ant deterrent
20.   Clean stains in cooking pots and glassware

Shrewd Shopping List

Chemicals, yum??!  Do we really need these hazardous compounds in our lives?  Male fish have eggs; the frogs have eight legs; and the Peregrines die.  The same is happening to us and we do it to ourselves.  Well, we allow corporate America to get rich off our brain-been-washed need to have all sorts of drugs and potions just to feel clean. We are ruining this great earth we call home. ‘Black is Green’ urges you to cut it out!  Cut and paste this list and take it with you to your local organic market; healthier grocery stores; or online stores. Use this list as the foundation of your new ‘Black is Green’ pantry. 

Baking Soda – gets rid of odors and dirt and is a mild abrasive.

Castile Soap – multi-purpose cleaner; gets rid of grease and bacteria.

Cornstarch - absorbs oil; gets rid of odors and oil; window cleaner.

Hydrogen Peroxide – disinfectant; gets fresh blood out of clothes.

Lemon Juice – disinfectant; gets rid of grease; and is a natural bleach. 

Olive Oil – wood polisher; skin and hair moisturizer.

Salt – Mild abrasive; absorbs liquids and oils

Vinegar – gets rid of odors; is a disinfectant; kills germs, mold and bacteria; and is a rinse agent.   Caution: do not use on marble.

Washing Soda – disinfectant; deodorizer; dissolves stains.  Caution:  do not use on aluminum or no wax floors.

Also, boiling water kills weeds; melts solids; and can be used as a cleaner.

There are other green cleaning ingredients, but some are harmful to skin and can cause serious illness if ingested.  These are borax and ammonia.  I think I’ll stick to the list above for now.  Food grade citric acid is another green ingredient, but is hard to find in stores and when you do find it, small quantities are expensive.  It’s tough to get away from the conglomerates, but at least corporations sell us a few reasonable things.  I’ll take them and will have change left in my pocket.

The list above can be mixed and matched for the dishwasher; washing machine; dryer; floors; windows; furniture; and bathroom and kitchen fixtures.  Add your favorite essential oils for fragrance and do your thing.  I’ll test some recipes and share my experiences in future posts.

“Just got paid, Friday night; party huntin’, feelin’ right; body shakin’, all around…,” screamin’ on the way to the store.

Thanks: publicdomainpictures.net