I was talking to a friend of mine recently about “Going Green” with Shampoo and the good qualities of Vinegar and Baking Soda being used for that purpose. She mentioned that Baking Soda was good for removing buildup but the amount to be used was undetermined….she didn’t know how much to use. Too much and it can break your hair…too little and you don’t get it clean. So I decided to do a little research on Baking Soda uses….. How much….What for….Etc. and came up with some good health and beauty uses. I will definitely be trying these out.
Naturally, it is only right that our list start with how to use on hair, since this is the reason I started my research! Hope this helps you as much as it has me. Enjoy!!
Squeaky clean hair: Add a teaspoon of baking soda to your usual shampoo bottle to help remove buildup from conditioners, mousses, and sprays, and to improve manageability.
In emergencies, use baking soda as a dry shampoo on oily hair. Sprinkle on your hair and comb through, then fluff with a blow dryer.
Chlorine remover: Rinse hair with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1 pint water to remove the dullness or discoloration caused by chlorinated pools.
Combs and brushes: Hair spray and oil buildup on combs and brushes can be removed by soaking them in a sink of warm water and adding 3 tablespoons baking soda and 3 tablespoons bleach.
Hands: Remove fish, onion, or garlic odor from hands with a solution of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or liquid soap. Rub mixture in your hands, and rinse off.
Elbows: Rub a baking-soda paste onto your elbows to smooth away rough skin.
Feet: Soak tired feet in a basin of warm water with 3 tablespoons baking soda.
Add 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart warm water, and soak feet for 10 minutes to relieve foot itch.
Smooth rough and hardened calluses and heels by massaging them with a paste of 3 parts baking soda per 1 part water.
Soothe minor mishaps: For sunburn pain, saturate a washcloth with a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart water. Apply to affected area.
Ease windburn or poison ivy irritation with a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Do not use on broken skin.
Relaxing baths: Baking soda added to the bathwater has a softening effect on the skin. Add 1/2 cup to a full bath.
Make bubbling bath salts with 21/2 cups baking soda, 2 cups cream of tartar, and 1/2 cup cornstarch. Mix them together, and store in a covered container. Use 1/4 cup per bath.
Relieve itchy winter skin in a bath with 1 cup baking soda and 11/4 cups baby oil in the water.
Sponge bath: Freshen up with a washcloth dipped in a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart water.
Deodorant: Apply cornstarch to your underarms with a powder puff first, then apply the baking soda.
Nail care: Clean fingernails and toenails by scrubbing them with a nailbrush dipped in baking soda. This also softens cuticles.
Toothpaste: Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part salt. Add 3 teaspoons of glycerin. Add 10 to 20 drops of flavoring (peppermint, wintergreen, anise, or cinnamon) and enough water to make a paste. Spoon into a small, refillable squeeze bottle.
Sprinkle baking soda into your palm, dip a damp toothbrush into it, and brush your teeth.
Refreshing mouthwash: To freshen breath, use 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1/2 glass of water, swish the solution through your teeth, and rinse.
Dentures and other dental appliances: Soak dentures in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in warm water.
- Use baking soda to soak athletic mouth guards, retainers, or other oral appliances.
- Scrub dentures, mouth guards, and retainers with a toothbrush dipped in baking soda.
- Soak toothbrushes in a baking-soda solution overnight.
Facial Care
Baking soda can also do wonders for your face.
Exfoliating: Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, and use as a gentle, exfoliating facial scrub after washing with soap and water. Rinse your face clean.
Mix baking soda with oatmeal in your blender; it makes a great facial scrub.
Shaving: Men with sensitive skin may find that a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 cup water makes a great preshave treatment or a soothing aftershave rinse.
For instant relief of razor burn, dab on a baking-soda solution.
If you would like to read the article where I got a lot of my info…click here.
cheeriosinmybra 
Comments on: "“Going Green” Uses For Baking Soda" (3)
Good info. I’ve used several of these. However, you can use baking soda and vinegar ONLY to shampoo and condition your hair…but that is where it gets tricky, depending on your hair length, type, and thickness.
It works great to exfoliate, we do that every now and then.
And, you can use it in whitening your teeth. Put some hydrogen peroxide in a squirt bottle, squirt your toothbrush and then dip it in a “special container” (for this purpose only) of baking soda and “brush your teeth”…it does whiten. It just tastes…salty.
Ashley…..good tip on whitening your teeth. Thanks!
As far as vinegar and baking soda go…there are many, many uses for them. Not just good for shampooing your hair. All research shows that as long as you are not leaving the baking soda on your hair for long periods of time it will not dry it out or leave it damaged…regardless of hair type. It has, in fact, been shown to be less damaging than OTC shampoos.
So…..no worries. Just don’t go leaving the solution on your hair overnight. spray on…rinse….and go! Hope this helps. 🙂
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