How many of us have that orange box in the fridge that is supposed to be replaced every 3 months, but we’re not quite sure just how long it’s been in there? We only realize it’s been in there too long when our fridge starts to get a little less fresh, perhaps even a little funky. I know I reach for it whenever I’m baking or cleaning the bathtub, and I am always amazed that it can be used in both capacities. But lately, I’m learning that little box offers a variety of baking soda beauty uses as well because it’s an alkaline compound that won’t stain or aggravate sensitive skin. Here are some fabulous ways to utilize your new Frigidaire bestie!
5 Baking Soda Beauty Uses
1. Sparkling smile!
All those toothpaste brands are charging an arm and leg for the latest and greatest whitening toothpaste. But if you just sprinkle a little baking soda on a damp toothbrush and brush in small circles for about a minute – before your actual nightly brushing – you can whiten those puppies up a few shades while saving some money in the process. This isn’t a process you should do over an extended period of time, though, because the process can prove corrosive to the enamel on your teeth. You should also abstain from mixing baking soda with a tooth whitener because this can also be extremely corrosive to your enamel.
2. Reclaim that mane
When was the last time you changed your shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, or dry shampoo? We all have die-hard brand favorites that we are super loyal to. But when we use the same formulas over and over, they can tend to build up in our hair. Just because we wash our hair does not mean the products are gone. Even the shampoos to help soften (silicone) and make our hair smell amazing can build up, making it tough to manage after a while. Next time you shampoo your hair, pour about a half-dollar-sized amount on your palm and sprinkle in some baking soda. Lather, rinse, repeat.. just kidding, but do get a good lather and rinse it out. It will strip out all those products, and you will notice a huge difference!
3. Bye-bye, nasty little blackheads…
This is where Thomas Dolby yells, “Science!” and it makes this stuff fun! If you mix some baking soda and water into a bit of paste and apply it to a freshly washed face for about 10 to 15 minutes, it really helps even out skin tone, takes down blackheads, and can even help with adult acne. Rinse with cool water and then moisturize afterward. The baking soda helps dry out acne and helps clean out pores by removing all those teensy little dead skin cells and dirt.
4. Rub a dub dub – pop some baking soda in the tub!
If you are suffering from itchy bug bites or a nasty sunburn this summer, you can draw a nice cool bath and put 2 to 3 cups of baking soda in. It will help soothe your skin and take down the irritation. Same thing if you have dry skin during the winter! Baking soda helps calm that cold-weather-chapped skin. If you aren’t up for a full bath, you can alternately add 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda to 1 cup of cold water and then use a washcloth to soak it up. Apply the washcloth to your sunburned area or bug bites and let it soothe the pain or itchy area.
On a personal note, just last night, I was attacked by a nasty little wasp and stung several times on my hands. Fortunately, I don’t have an allergy, so I wasn’t in any real danger. However, the stings were excruciating, and I was desperate for relief. We don’t have any sting relief on hand (not that I could have found it with throbbing hands even if we did), but I remembered that baking soda could provide some comfort. I made a thick paste using baking soda and water and applied it to my hands, and within minutes the pain had subsided, and the throbbing had stopped. While there are many solutions for stings, this is the one that came to my mind. In a pinch, this common household item definitely saved the day.
5. A healthier way to remove cuticles
Pushing back your cuticles or cutting them are both huge ways to allow bacteria into your life, not to mention some pain in the process! If you put a 1 to 1 ratio of water and baking soda on your cuticles and then massage them gently with a nail brush, you can exfoliate all that dead skin right off and leave your hands smoother and healthier in the process.
Thank goodness for cheap remedies you can buy at the grocery store! This little alkalizing hero can do so many things; this list is just the tip of the iceberg. When I started researching this topic, I expected just a few baking soda beauty uses and was blown away by the clever options and fun hacks! I hope you enjoy trying these and maybe discovering some new ones you love too.
Get some!
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