10 Little-Known Uses for Mr. Arm & Hammer

Yahoo! Shine reports that as of 2013, women collectively spend about $426 billion on beauty products each year. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Cleaning products bring in more than $168 billion in annual revenue across the globe. What if I told you, you only need one product to do almost everything your current beauty and household cleaning products can do.  That’s right; one inexpensive product that’s likely already in your kitchen is amazing for tons of DIY beauty and household needs.

1.  Baking Soda as a Skin Soother:

Make a paste of baking soda and water, and apply to a burn or an insect bite for relief or add baking soda to your bath water to relieve sunburned or itchy skin. Baking soda is also great as an exfoliator. Use three parts baking soda to one part water and rub onto rough elbows, feet, hands, or other spots to exfoliate dry, scaly skin.


2.   Baking Soda as a Plumber:

Pour a cup of baking soda into the opening of your clogged drain and then add a cup of hot vinegar. After a few minutes, flush the drain with a quart of boiling water.


3.   Baking Soda as a Cleanser:

To remove clothing stains, make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Rub paste into the stain, let it sit for an hour, and then launder as usual. A paste of baking soda will also remove that dreaded pasta sauce stain from plastic and it will remove stains from your coffee and tea cups. To clean the bottom of an overly burnt pan, boil two inches of water in the pan, turn off the heat, then add half a cup of baking soda. Let it sit overnight. In the morning it will be easy to clean. A household cleaner can be made by using a solution of one-teaspoon baking soda to one quart of warm water. To remove pesticides, dirt, and wax from fresh fruits and vegetables, wash them in a large bowl of cool water to which you’ve added two to three tablespoons of baking soda. To banish coffee and wine stains from your teeth brush with a paste of baking soda or dip your toothbrush in baking soda before you brush.


4.   Baking Soda as a Diet Aid:

If you crave sweets, rinse your mouth with one-teaspoon baking soda dissolved in a glass of warm water. Don’t swallow the mixture; spit it out. Your craving should disappear instantly.


5.   Baking Soda as a Bug Spray:

Lay down barrier of baking soda under sink-pipe openings and along basement windows to keep carpenter ants, silverfish, and roaches from invading. Roaches eat the baking soda, dehydrate, and die.


6.   Baking Soda as a Car Wash:

A light baking soda paste on a damp cloth will remove bugs and tar from cars without damaging the paint. Let paste sit for a few minutes before wiping and rinsing clean.


7.   Baking Soda in the Winter:

To provide traction and melt ice, sprinkle baking soda on your front steps. Unlike rock salt, kitty litter, or sand, it won’t damage your shoes, nor will it damage outdoor or indoor surfaces.


8.   Baking Soda to Remove Odors:

Sprinkle a teaspoon of baking soda on the bottom of your toaster oven to eliminate the odors caused by burning crumbs leftover from a previous baking session. You can remove odors from clothing by placing the clothes in a plastic bag with baking soda for a couple of days.

9.  Baking Soda as a Hair Product:

Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to one application of shampoo to remove buildup. Next, rinse your hair with half a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water to fight chlorine discoloration.  You can also sprinkle a small amount on your scalp and brush for a dry shampoo.


10.  Baking Soda as Tweezers:

The baking soda helps swell the skin and draw the splinter to the surface.  Make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the area, and cover with a bandage. After about 24 hours, the splinter should be sticking out enough that you can pull it out with tweezers.