Frugalistas rejoice

Frugalistas can all agree on the amazing usefulness of baking soda. it’s one of the most versatile ingredients in our homes and should never be relegated to just the fridge. With baking soda at hand, you can make easy and cost-effective solutions for all around the house. Here’s a list of ten tested applications that work like a charm.

COMB CLEANER

Fill a tall glass with warm water, add a pump of dish soap and a sprinkle of baking soda. Put your plastic comb or brush into the glass and swirl it around to agitate the liquid cleaner. You will be amazed at how much oil, grease and hair product residue will come off your comb.

Let things soak for a minute and then rinse your comb/brush with hot water.

FOOT BATH

Fill a deep bowl - that will fit your feet - with warm water. Add 1 to 2 tbsp of baking soda and a dash of peppermint/spearmint extract.

The baking soda will soften callouses and cracked heels. Use a foot scrubber after your feet have soaked for 15 minutes. Follow up with some moisturizer and put on some socks. Instant spa-worthy pedicure!

DEEP CLEAN FACIAL CLEANSER

Mix 1 tsp baking soda with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and a few drops of olive oil. Mix into a paste and apply onto face.

Leave on for a few minutes and then rinse well and pat dry. The combination of baking soda, lemon and oil will leave your face feeling fresh, looking brighter and super soft to the touch.

CUTICLE SOFTENER

This tip is really effective and such a luxury.

Mix equal parts warm water and baking soda to make a thin paste. Apply this concoction to your cuticles and let soak for as long as comfortable possible. Rinse your hands and push your cuticles back with ease. Great treat for dry winter months.

FRESHENING MOUTHWASH

Fill a tumbler with warm drinking water and add a sprinkle (up to 1 tsp) of baking soda.

Mix well and use the solution to gargle and swish away bad breath. The baking soda neutralizes the pH level in your mouth. Add a pinch of salt and this works well to battle a sore throat too!

FLUORIDE-FREE TOOTHPASTE

This may not taste exactly like traditional toothpaste, but if you’re looking for a natural and fluoride-free option, it’s definitely worth a try.

Mix ½ cup coconut oil with 3 tbsp baking soda. Add a splash of edible essential oil or peppermint extract. Top it up with a 1 to 2 packets of natural sweetener (optional) and mix well to form a paste. Use this as a replacement to traditional toothpaste.

CLARIFYING SHAMPOO

Use this trick whenever you feel your hair and scalp need a deeper clean.

Add a tsp of baking soda to your palm and top up with your regular amount of shampoo. Work this through your scalp as per usual and rinse well before finishing with conditioner.

The baking soda helps clarify and cut through extra build up on your hair and scalp. Don’t do this regularly because it may be too harsh and affect the pH balance of your hair negatively. But for the occasional deep clean, it’s amazing!

LAUNDRY DETERGENT SUBSTITUTE

If you ever find yourself running out of laundry detergent and feeling too lazy to go to the store, here’s a perfectly effective and cheap solution. Add ½ to 1 cup baking soda to your wash cycle.

Adjust the amount depending on the size of your machine. Add a couple pumps of dish soap and then run the wash cycle as per usual. Your clothes come out clean without an overpowering scent.

NON TOXIC OVEN CLEANER

If you hate the self-clean oven option and don’t like breathing in the toxic fumes of store-bought oven cleaner, this solution is for you.

Remove the oven racks and clean them by hand. Pour vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz the entire interior oven (including door and glass). Mix 2 cups baking soda with enough water to make a thick paste.

Apply the paste to the inside of the oven using a basting brush or paint brush. Don’t forget the oven door and glass! Let the baking soda and vinegar work their magic overnight. Use a clean rag to wipe off and clean up.

SHOE/BOOT DEODORIZER

There are so many tips and hacks online for freshening smelly shoes.

This particular solution has tested the best if you want an all-natural option. Find a pair of thin socks and fill each one with a ½ cup of baking soda.

Squeeze some fresh lemon into the sock and/or add citrus peels. If you have leftover coffee grinds they can go in too! Tie the top of the sock in a loose knot and then place one filled sock into each shoe. You have options at this point:

Let the shoes sit with the socks overnight and they will smell fresher in the morning.

Put the stuffed shoes into a pillowcase and let them tumble in a HOT dryer for 30 minutes.

Put the stuffed shoes in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer for a few hours — there isn’t a lot of science behind cold killed germs but internet commenters seem to believe this works.

No matter which option you choose, you will have fresher smelling shoes and boots.