It’s one thing to be frugal. But it’s even wiser to have one product to use in varied ways - that is, the bankable baking soda! Aside from being economical, baking soda is easy on your health and friendly to the environment.

As promised in my previous article, here now are more ways that you can utilize the baking soda.

Carpet grease cleaner
Is a greasy carpet your problem? Don’t worry. All you have to do is blot up as much of the grease as you can. Then, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over what’s left of the spot. Leave it there for an hour or until the oil is absorbed. Then, vacuum it up.

Brush toilet stains
Don’t be too dependent on commercially-available toilet bowl cleaners. Aside from being expensive, those products are also harmful to your health and the environment. Instead, brush off the stains with baking soda or vinegar.

Drain de-clogger
Mix together a cup of baking soda, a cup of salt, and a half cup of vinegar. Pour this mixture down your clogged drain. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain.

Just a word of caution, though. Don’t apply this method if a commercial drain opener is still standing in the drain.

Keep your septic system fresh
Can you ever make a septic tank fresh? Why not! Flush a cup of baking soda down your toilet every now and then.

Restore lost shine on silver, stainless steel, and chrome trim
Cover completely a baking pan or whatever similar container with aluminum foil. Shiny side up. Put your silver pieces in the pan. Then pour warm water into it. Add some baking soda. Let it stand for 10 minutes. The tarnish would be gone by then, without you even spending a bit of effort or expense.

For your stainless steel fixtures, sprinkle some baking soda over the items and rub the pieces with a damp cloth. Meanwhile, for your chrome trim, polish it with a bit of baking soda on a moist sponge. Then, dry it with a clean cloth.

Brighten your piano
Do your piano’s keys getting off-white or yellowish? Make a baking soda and water solution. Dampen a clean cloth with the solution and gently rub one key at a time. Make sure, though, that no solution gets down between the keys. Wipe with a clean, damp cloth. Then, buff it with a dry one.

Spruce up sagging chair bottoms
Over a certain period of constant use, cane chairs can sag and lose their charm. But don’t put them away to the storage room yet. Get two cloths and soak them in hot water and baking soda solution. Take one of the cloths to cover the entire surface from the top. Then, get the other cloth to push up from the underside. Get another clean cloth to absorb the excess moisture. Finally, put the chair in the sun to dry.

Ease your car start-up
To neutralize corrosion, make a paste of one cup baking soda and a cup of water. Apply it on your car battery posts for about an hour. Then, clean it off.

Remove the bugs from your windshield
Sometimes, bugs may cling onto your windshield when you drive at 65 mph. To remove them, make a solution of half a cup baking soda and one-quart water. Wrap a mesh bag around your sponge and dip it into the solution. Then, scrub the glass clean with it.

Repel rain from the windshield
Traces of raindrops on the windshield can distract the driver. To avoid it, get a dampened cloth. Pour a generous amount of baking soda on the cloth and wipe your windshield inside and out.

Baby bottle cleaner
As soon as the baby comes of her womb, every mother wants only the best and cleanest for her young one. And, so here’s a tip on how to clean baby bottles and accessories. Put baby bottles in a pot of water and 3 tablespoons of baking soda solution. Boil them for three minutes. You may also soak caps, nipples, and other accessories in a solution of hot water and baking soda.

First-aid for insect stings
When someone in the family got stung or bitten by an insect, reach for the baking soda. Make a paste out of baking soda and rubbing alcohol and apply on the affected area.

Relieve itch from poison ivy
A poison ivy or oak can be unbearably itchy. Relieve it by making a thick paste of baking soda and water. Then apply the mixture to the itchy portion.

Whiten your socks
Make your athletic socks look new all the time. Before tossing them into the wash, soak your socks in a solution of water and baking soda for at least 30 minutes. The solution will loosen the soil and dirt.

Remove stink from shoes
There are instances when shoes can smell awful. Don’t worry, though. Coat the inside of your shoes with baking soda and air them out. Shake out the baking soda before wearing your shoes again.

Deodorize your pets
Keep your pet dog smell fresh and odor-free. Rub a good amount of baking soda on his coat, and brush it out.

Ease heartburn and acid indigestion
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Its slight alkalinity neutralizes stomach acid that causes heartburn and indigestion. Gas and other stomach issues are also relieved by baking soda. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda and half a glass of warm water and drink it down.

Facial Wash
Make a paste of baking soda and virgin coconut oil (VCO). Rub it gently on your face in a circular motion to remove dead skin cells and other impurities. Wash with warm water, especially if you’re living in cold regions, to prevent the coconut oil from clogging your pores. And enjoy the soft feel on your skin.

If you live in warmer countries, however, it’s not necessary to wash with warm water after you did the baking soda-VCO facial wash. Based on personal experience, tap water is enough to wash the coconut oil off without fear of clogging my pores.

The same baking soda-VCO paste also makes a refreshing overall body scrub. I’ve been doing this regimen regularly and I love the result. My skin feels softer, fresh, and free from harmful chemicals. Sometimes, I add a bit of ground oatmeal to the paste for a more nourishing and refreshing body scrub. Try it on yourself, too.

Product build-up remover
Remove the residue that hair styling products leave behind. Put a small amount of baking soda on your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual. Then, rinse thoroughly.

Bath salts
Tired after a long day? Have a relaxing bath with baking soda! Add one-half cup of baking soda into your bath water and immerse yourself in it. As you soak, the baking soda starts working on your skin. It efficiently washes away your perspiration and the excess oil on your body. At the same time, it neutralizes the acids and softens your skin in the process.

Deodorant
Do you want a chemical-free deodorant? Consider baking soda! Put a little baking soda on a powder puff and apply it under your arms. You’ll be odor-free all day! Or, if you may so prefer, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the baking soda and apply with a brush.

Spot-treatment for acne
Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it on your pimple or acne.

Whiten your teeth the simple way
Once in a while, I use baking soda on my teeth. It whitens my teeth and freshens my breath. To do it, just put a bit of baking soda on your palm, dip a wet toothbrush into it, and brush. Rinse. Then, brush as usual using your regular toothpaste.

Just a bit of warning: Since the baking soda is grainy, it can be quite rough on your gums. So, you have to brush real gently. Baking soda tastes a bit bitter, too, but not type that makes you puke, though.

You may also use baking soda as an antifungal mouthwash. Make a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda and one-fourth glass of water. Swish the solution through your teeth.

Soften cuticles and hands
Soften your cuticles before doing a manicure. Dip a moistened nail brush into some baking soda. Gently brush your nails and around the cuticles. Then, make a paste of baking soda and water. Rub your hands and fingers gently with the paste to exfoliate, soften and smoothen them. Rinse with warm water.

Ease tough calluses
Soak your feet in a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda and warm water. Add a few drops of lavender oil into the solution (optional). After about 20 minutes, scrub your calluses away with a paste of 3 parts baking soda, 1 part brown sugar, and 1 part water. Then, apply a rich moisturizer before wrapping your feet with warm towel. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.

The more I learned about the benefits of baking soda, the more I become an avid consumer of the product. Our kitchen cupboard is now never without a pack of it anymore. The baking soda is not only a reliable helper. It frees me from my dependence on chemical-based products. Most importantly, it allows me to help the environment from getting suffocated by harmful runoffs.

You, too, will surely be amazed at how the baking soda helps ease your household tasks.