You can find a box of baking soda in any home all around the world and there’s a reason for that! You may not realize it yet, but this humble baking ingredient you use to add fluff to your cakes is also a powerful beauty product and can become your go-to cleaning agent for all kinds of surfaces. Yes, baking soda is that cool! Here are 8 special uses of baking soda you never knew.
Cure Acne
Baking soda has amazing antibacterial properties that are perfect for your skin. It’s a great exfoliator, which removes dead skin cells, making your skin smooth and clean. It dries up existing acne and prevents new from appearing. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with one teaspoon of water to create a paste. Apple it in circular motions on clean face, then leave for a few minutes. Wash it off and apply some moisturising cream.
Rejuvenate Skin
A simple mix of freshly squeezed orange juice (two tablespoons) and baking soda (one tablespoon) can do wonders for your skin. This rejuvenating mask thoroughly cleans your skin, removing dead cells and various impurities. It is packed with Vitamin C and balances out the pH levels of your skin. Apply the paste as you would any other face mask and leave it for around 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and apply a few times a week.
Whiten Teeth
A simple paste made of soda can considerably whiten your teeth if you apply it regularly. Make a thick paste using baking soda and a few drops of water, creating a consistency similar to that of toothpaste. Apply it to your teeth with a toothbrush using gentle circular motions. It’s easy to damage your enamel with baking soda, so you should be really careful. Do this for 5-7 days every day, then continue with just a few times a week.
Remove Facial Hair
Yes, baking soda can even help with facial hair! Take one tablespoon of baking soda and half a cup of boiling water. Mix the two, let the concoction get a bit cooler, and soak a bandage in it. Squeeze out the excessive liquid and apply the bandage to the problem area. Leave overnight and do it every day until you notice a change. Don’t forget to nourish your skin with some moisturising cream as this baking soda concoction can dry up your skin really fast.
Soften Feet
Baking soda is a perfect exfoliator, so you can use it for exfoliating your feet as well. For a cleansing foot bath you will need two-three tablespoons of baking soda, a big bowl or bucket for your feet, a pumice stone, and some moisturizing cream. Make your foot bath using warm water and baking soda, and soak your feet in it for around 15 minutes. Use the pumice stone to remove dead skin cells, and then apply a generous portion of moisturising cream or lotion. It’s best to put on some warm socks afterwards. Do this a few times a week until your feet get all soft and smooth.
Clean Silverware
Baking soda is good for cleaning jewellery and silverware as well. For the best effect, mix warm water with baking soda in a bowl lined with aluminium foil. Soak your jewellery in the concoction – most of the tarnish will come off right into the water. Clean whatever spots remain with a soft cloth.
Remove Bad Smell
Smelly shoes can be a real issue, but there is an easy trick you can use anytime. Baking soda reduces all kinds of bad smells and will make your shoes odourless in no time. You can put some baking soda right inside your shoes and let it sit there for a day before throwing it out. You can also create special sachets or small pouches made out of textile or socks. Fill them up with baking soda and put inside your shoes.
Treat Sunburns
Baking soda is believed to treat sunburns, skin itching, and irritation. You can treat sunburns by soaking in a bath with a cup of baking soda added to the water. Make sure all the damaged areas are covered. You can also make a paste using baking soda and a little bit of water – just apply it to the sunburnt area and let it dry. Rinse off after 10-15 minutes. It’s always wise to try this paste on healthy skin first to see if it’s safe for you to use baking soda like that.