Baking Soda

If you ever talk to me about skin issues then you will hear me preach about Baking Soda. I love it. My Mom taught me to work with what I have and with my huge family sometimes that wasn't a lot. I use Baking Soda as a natural way to exfoliate. There are tons of things to use it for. Here are a few...

Clarifying/Dandruff Shampoo:
If you are having problems with build up in your hair from hard water (Huntsville has very hard water) , hairspray or other hair care products you will love this trick. First wet hair thoroughly, now add 1 Tb spoon of Baking soda to a Shampoo of your choice. Work this mixture in from root to ends. Rinse and repeat this step if necessary or leave on hair for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse well and condition. Your hair will be clean and super shiny. I also did this after I died my hair too dark once it helped. Make sure to condition really well afterwords. This may strip your hair color so if you just went to the salon DON'T DO IT.


Avoid Razor Burn and Body Scrub:
I like to mix a couple tablespoons on my loofah with my body wash. It helps to remove dead skin cells. When you shave those dead skin cells can get into open hair follicles and cause razor rash. So use this on your bikini line the day before shaving. If you don't have sensitive skin its OK to use right before.

Face Wash:
I keep a travel jar of baking soda in my shower so that it can be resealed. I simply mix a tablespoon with my face wash every other day. For most people once a week will be sufficient but I get really oily so I like to do it more often. I have seen a huge difference in my skin since I started doing this. It really helps prevent comedones (blackheads). And increases your cell turnover rate.

Toothpaste.
I use white strips although my boyfriend tells me I shouldn't. But as a teen before white strips my mom taught me and my brothers to put toothpaste on our toothbrush and then put baking soda on the toothpaste. Then brush as usual. It really helps whiten your teeth and makes my mouth feel cleaner. I like to do it once a week if I'm out of white strips and don't wanna shell out 40 bucks for another box. Or, if I'm drinking coffee on a regular bases.

One of my brothers chipped his front teeth and had to get them fixed. So it makes him more susceptible to stains. His dentist recommended that he use the white strips and then follow that with brushing with baking soda. I don't do that because I have sensitive teeth. But It would help in extreme cases.

Laundry:
Old wet towels or boys can make clothes stinky. LOL! I waited tables on a patio this summer and the air at the restaurant was broken and even though I'm a girl I got sweaty. So to boost laundry detergent I just mix half a cup with the laundry. I like to hang sheets and blankets on the clothes line but if its rainy or winter the baking soda will give them that hung on the line fresh smell.