Baking soda is one of those ingredients that you probably have sitting in your pantry. But it isn’t just great for those gooey cookies or homemade bread: Baking soda is an extremely versatile salt with loads of other uses than just cooking and baking! Here are a couple of ways to use this nifty substance in your daily wellness routine.
Create a Facial Scrub
The extra fine grains and chemical properties of baking soda make it a great ingredient in facial scrubs. Making a homemade facial scrub with baking soda will help exfoliate your face by removing dead skin and stubborn particles of dirt. To make your own baking soda facial scrub, mix one part warm water with two parts baking soda. Another fan favorite is to take some oatmeal, rose water, milk, and olive oil and mix it with a bit of baking soda to create a luscious, homemade scrub—perfect for an evening of self-pampering. Or, just add a bit of baking soda to your store-bought facial soap to enhance its exfoliating ability.
Whiten Your Teeth
Not only do baking soda’s exfoliating and alkaline properties improve your skin, but they can also help improve the appearance of yellow teeth. Create a little paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide or water. Then, gently brush your teeth using the paste and rinse. When used with toothpaste, baking soda can scrub away stains on your teeth, giving them a whiter appearance. Just be sure not to do this too frequently as it can weaken your teeth’s enamel with overuse.
Subdue Irritation and Itchiness
Is cold or dry air leaving your skin irritated? Or do you have a bug bite that is driving you up the wall? Well, baking soda is here to rescue you! Add about a cup of baking soda to a warm bath to soak in. The baking soda will help soften your skin and relieve any irritations. Or, you can even apply a paste of baking soda and water directly onto the irritated spot or bug bite for instant relief.
Baking soda has to be one of the most versatile substances out there. If you aren’t interested in any of these ideas, baking soda can also be used to make natural shampoo and deodorant—or even calm a rash! A quick search on the internet will give you even more ideas on how to incorporate this amazing little ingredient in your day-to-day life.
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