Okay, so I feel a little like a 50s housewife when I do this, but every time I make a trip to the market I pick up a box of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda. It really is the wunder product, great for everything from deodorizing the litter box to cleaning appliances to using as an exfoliant. In a pinch, you can even use it to brush your teeth. It tastes gross, but thirty seconds of that is much preferred to a day of yuck mouth – or dealing the ramifications of plaque.
And, if you’re going green or looking to avoid synthetic dyes and colorants, you can’t get more natural thank baking soda.
On the Face – Exfoliant
Mix a teaspoon amount into your cleanser for a power cleanse. You can also mix into a paste with water and work into skin in circular motions (after cleansing). Guys, this is a great gentle exfoliant to use before shaving, since it helps clean away oil (sebum) and dead skin, which can trap hairs to skin, causing an uneven shave and even lead to ingrown hairs and shaving nicks.
For Hair and Scalp – Shampoo Alternative
I have a problem scalp. Almost every product irritates my scalp – which is weird because my facial skin is not sensitive. It’s also a drag because I love me some hair care products! I learned this beauty trick from a grand dame beauty school teacher. When irritation flares up, or when my locks need a good, thorough cleansing, I work a paste of baking soda and water into my hair and then add in some apple cidar vinegar. You can use white vinegar too but I think the apple smells better.
What hapens next is a little like an elementary chemistry project – the combination of the two produces a volcano-like eruption of bubbles, which help cleanse and sooth the scalp. You can also power boost your regular shampoo by mixing in some baking soda.
I usually just keep a bottle of the vinegar in the shower, but you can also put some in a squeezy salad dressing bottle.
In the Bath – Soak
Add at least 1/2 cup into running bath water. Mix in a few drops of your favorite essential oil and you’ve got an aromatherapeutic muscle relaxing soak. My favorites are Lavender and Tea Tree. Lavender is soothing to skin and the senses. Tea Tree is more invigorating, and has natural anti-septic properties. You can find these at most health food stores, including chains like Whole Foods In fact, Tea Tree is good to have around because you can use it on the scalp (mixed into Olive oil or Jojoba oil) and breakouts to inhibit bacteria.My favorite is from Florame, who also make some great organic skin care products.
If it is during a drier climate, like now, add in some glycerin (you can usually find this in drugstores), which will help moisturize skin.
Pet Grooming
I shake baking soda liberally into the litter liners before adding in clay litter (I think the clumping kind is bad for cats) or the pine litter. It helps absorb odors, especially urine.
