Even if you never bake from scratch, you probably have a box of baking soda in your house. Many people store food in the refrigerator to absorb the aroma. Look for it – it’s the bright yellow box in the background. Last time I checked mine, I found three of them there.
For less than a dollar a fresh box, you can do even more tricks with baking soda. Try these:
- Clean your hair
My hair takes a long time to wash and dry. Is it yours? If you don’t have time to shampoo, work with soda water. Spray a little on the roots. Rub it in and let it sit for a while, then remove with a brush. If you have dark hair, mix cocoa powder with baking soda and mix it into a powder that you lose on your hairbrush. - Protect your garden
Powdery mildew is a thick white fungus that affects the leaves and stems of plants. If you see it on your cucumber or zucchini plants, you’ll recognize it right away. To control it, mix one tablespoon of baking soda in one gallon of water. Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid to help it adhere. Then spray. This will not kill the existing fungus, but it will help protect against new leaves. - Wash your float
Do unicorns swim in your pool? There are some pretty cool floats this summer. To keep them clean, wipe the float with water mixed with a quarter cup of baking soda. Rinse them off and throw them back into the pool. - Keep cut flowers alive longer
When someone sends you a bouquet, the flowers are beautiful when they arrive but die too soon. To make them last a little longer, add a pinch of baking soda and a pinch of salt to the water in the jar. Change the water every day and do it again. - Removes the smell of sneakers
If your kids play sports, mud smells are common. For each pair of sneakers, fill a sock with baking soda and secure the top with a rubber band. Kick the kids every time they go barefoot. - Restore your carpet
Carpets are comfortable for both us and our four-legged friends. To get rid of dog odor (or any odor), vacuum the carpet and remove any loose dirt. Pour a large amount of baking soda and leave for 24 hours. Vacuum again and your carpet will smell better.