Bicarbonate of soda, also known as baking soda or sodium bicarbonate, is widely used in baking but packs quite the list of other uses.
In its article, Healthline shared 23 uses for bicarbonate of soda, including household uses and health benefits.
See below 20 of the 23 uses:
1. Treat heartburn: Baking soda can help treat heartburn by neutralising stomach acid.
2. Mouthwash: Baking soda can help freshen your breath and provides antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
3. Soothe canker sores: Research has found that baking soda mouthwash is great for soothing pain caused by these small, painful ulcers that form inside your mouth.
4. Whiten teeth: Many studies have found that toothpaste containing baking soda is better for whitening teeth and removing plaque than toothpaste without baking soda.
5. Deodorant: Baking soda can eliminate the smell of sweat by making the odours less acidic.
6. May improve exercise performance: Some studies show that baking soda can help you perform at your peak for longer, especially during anaerobic exercises like high-intensity training and sprinting.
7. Relieve itchy skin, sunburn: A baking soda bath is often recommended to soothe itchy skin.
8. May treat calluses: Studies have found that soaking calluses in a baking soda bath may help soften them, remove any scales and reduce discomfort.
9. May slow the progression of chronic kidney disease: The kidneys help remove excess waste and water from the blood. At the same time, they help balance important minerals like potassium, sodium and calcium.
10. May improve certain cancer treatments: Some research shows that baking soda could help chemotherapy medicines work more effectively.
11. Neutralise fridge odours: Bicarbonate of soda can help freshen a smelly fridge by neutralising bad odours.
12. Air freshener: Baking soda is an excellent and safe alternative to commercial air fresheners. It interacts with odour particles and neutralises them, rather than masking them.
13. Whitening your laundry: Baking soda is a soluble salt that can help remove dirt and stains.
14. Kitchen cleaner: Not only can it remove tough stains, it also helps eliminate foul odours.
15. Eliminate garbage odour: These odours are often acidic, so baking soda can interact with odour molecules and neutralise them.
16. Remove stubborn carpet stains: A combination of baking soda and vinegar can remove the most stubborn carpet stains.
17. Multipurpose bathroom cleaner: Baking soda comes in handy because it whitens and disinfects many bathroom surfaces.
18. Polish silverware: Baking soda is a handy alternative to commercial silver polishes.
19. Homemade weed killer: You can use baking soda as a cheaper and safer alternative to harmful store-bought poisons.
20. Save a scorched pot: While these can be a nightmare to clean, you can save a scorched pot easily with baking soda and water.
For further information on how to use bicarbonate of soda/baking soda the above ways, and for three further uses, read the original article on Healthline.
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