Tag Archives: cleaning

Baking Soda: Going Beyond the Cookbook

Good morning everyone! Hope your day has been fantabulous so far 🙂  I have several irons in the fire here lately, coming down on the wire with a few projects and posts to share, so exciting and I can’t wait to get it up here for everyone to enjoy 🙂

Today I wanted to share some info about baking soda and all it’s usefulness. It’s not just for cooking or putting out fires, there’s so many handy dandy uses for this bitter powder. I have used it for a number of things, other than for Irish Soda Bread (that’s for another post). The most recent way I’ve used it was on a burn. Even a seasoned cook/baker as myself will have accidents in the kitchen but the best way I have found to stop the burn from hurting is to apply a baking soda paste! I know, you’re thinking back to health class and the textbook saying never apply baking soda to a burn, granted if you have burned the skin away you wouldn’t want to do that. Seek medical attention for such a burn, but for minor burns this remedy works great!

Applying a paste made out of baking soda will help to lessen the damage and relieve pain. To do this, mix 1 tablespoon of soda with 1 teaspoon of water, put the paste on the burn and wrap it loosely with a clean bandage. A baking soda bath can also be helpful. Simply add a quarter to a half cup of baking soda to a warm (not hot) bath and soak.

Since the burn was on my thumb…

Ninja Thumb hard at work!

Ninja Thumb hard at work!

Taking a soda bath wasn’t necessary. However, I did have reapply the paste before going to bed. Even from the first application of the baking soda paste the pain was instantly gone! I had kept my thumb on ice for a couple of hours and ever time I took it off my thumb would burn and throb. The next day the redness was minimal and the area that would have become a blister was flat. My thumb was tender for a couple of days and I noticed that my skin was peeling in that area several days later. So, for minor burns definitely try baking soda paste never again will I use an ice pack.

But the amazing uses don’t stop there. I came across an article with 75 ways to use baking soda, yet I know there are so many more! Amazon has book called “Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun, and Frugal Uses You’ve Probably Never Thought Of“, it’s on sale and is available with Prime two-day shipping. 

I love cleaning with it too! It’s great for making jewelry sparkle, both silver and gold, no need to spend money on those expensive jewelry cleaners. I shared a simple recipe on the Night Owl Kitchen Facebook Page, so if you missed it here it is:

1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon dish detergent
1 cup water
1 piece aluminum foil

Directions:
1. Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.
2. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).
3. Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.
4. According to wire-sculpture.com, “this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem.”

I have used this on my silver jewelry and the pieces look brand new. I have also used it in the bathroom, especially the boys bathroom. It helps to deodorize and it’s great for freshening up the sink in the kitchen! Root Simple(click here) has some great tips to use baking soda and even some interesting ways to apply it. I especially found her application of it in the bath tub/shower informative. How many of us actually use homemade bathing products? I certainly don’t, but should, it’s a nice thought and I love buying such products from people who take the time to make them. I’m as guilty as the next person when it comes to buying products off a shelf and grumble over the soap scum and strange red residue that forms around the shower drainer. Seriously, it’s disgusting! However, Mrs. Homegrown, points out that using homemade products won’t leave a soap scum film in the shower or tub which makes for easier cleaning! I think that has sold me lol Anything that cuts my cleaning time is a good enough reason to change!

Beyond cooking and baking with it, what have you used baking soda for?

Amanda Gayle

Related Articles:

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Baking Soda:Use This to Remove Splinters — and to Address Many Other Health Needs

Baking soda – 30 handy tips

61 uses for baking soda

27 Ways to Clean with Baking Soda

3 ways to activate baking soda

Baking Soda vs. Baking Powder

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Vinegar’s Versatile…

Here’s today’s throw back…

Whilst digging through my Great Grandma’s recipe box I found this nifty cut out with several uses for vinegar. I can attest to most of these suggestions and I’m sure there are several more out there who have used vinegar for other purposes as well. I wish I had a date on this, all I can go by is on the backside is an ad for Superbrand all flavors ice cream for $1.19 per half gallon. Here’s an image of the clipping…

vintage clipping

“Vinegar’s versatility is impressive. You can use it to:

  • Tenderize meat and game: One-half cup of cider, white, or wine vinegar added to a cup of liquid bouillon adds flavor to meats while breaking down tough connective tissue. (I always add this to my marinades and it does work!)
  • Keeps cheese fresh: Wrap cheese in clean cotton cloth dampened with vinegar and place in an airtight container to keep fresh and moist. (I’ve never done this, perhaps you can remember your grandmother or aunt doing this. Please share if you have those memories!)
  • Retain colorful vegetables: Vinegar added to the water in which you boil cabbage or beets helps retain the bright colors as well as cutting down on cooking odors. (This is handy when I cook up broccoli, haven’t tried it with collards but I think it would do the same.)
  • Cut grease: A few tablespoons of white vinegar in the cleaning water helps but grease and remove odors. (I’ve done this a lot, we love using coconut oil when frying–the chicken doesn’t foam up in coconut oil–so you can imagine there is a lot of grease to clean up. The vinegar really does work! Forget today’s harsh chemicals.)
  • Sparkling glassware: One-half cup of white vinegar in a gallon of water helps eliminate dulling soap film. Try it on beverage glasses. (I’ve never done this, but I have tried detergents that “say” they leave glasses sparkling when actually they don’t. Will have to try this one for sure since I wash the dishes by hand now. Perhaps adding some vinegar to dish water will achieve said results….)
  • Eliminate odors: A little white vinegar rubbed on fingers before and after slicing onions help remove smell. (I have tried this after mincing garlic! I’ve also used this in the bathroom to remove urine and mold smells. The vinegar smell dissipates and you’re left with a fresh clean scent afterwards. I like to also use fresh lemons to help brighten up a room. Try adding some fresh lemon or orange zest to vinegar to add a lively freshness while cleaning, only make enough for one round of cleaning otherwise you’ll need to store the leftover in the fridge. Anything that has fresh ingredients without preservatives will go bad. Tea tree oil is anti-fungal and works great in the bathroom and shower.)

There’s a great book filled with over 400 uses for vinegar called “Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile, and Very Good Uses You’ve Probably Never Thought Of” found on Amazon.com. I even found some of my Great-Grandmother’s recipes that call for vinegar in baked goods! Will definitely have to try these out 🙂   

Amanda Gayle

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What a load to do…

What a Load  You can see where my morning has ended up at 😉 Past petticoat junction and just around the corner to fold it lane. Yep, it’s a busy morning here at our house. So much to do and so little time to do it.

In trying to get the house ready before my Papaw flies in on Wednesday, folding the laundry couldn’t be put off any longer. Sure it’s easier to close and lock the laundry room door but the problem remains. I did want to share a free list that you can print to help you to organize your day! Over at The Creativity Exchange you can download and print a couple of  free to-do lists that will help you stay on target through out the day. I have my copy all filled out and ready to go!

How is your Monday going so far?!

Amanda Gayle

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