Antacid
Dissolve 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1 cup water; add a few drops of peppermint oil to taste. Bottle and store in the refrigerator. Take 1 to 2 tablespoons as needed.

Insect bite and sting relief
Quickly apply a paste of 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon water, witch hazel, or clear ammonia. Cover with a damp dressing.

Poison ivy relief
Relieve poison ivy itch with a wet compress on a paste of 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 teaspoon water or witch hazel.

Deodorant
Dust some baking soda under your arms to absorb perspiration, neutralize odors and avoid stained clothing.

Foot soak
For calluses, tired feet and athlete’s foot itching, soak feet for ten minutes in a solution of 1/2 cup baking soda in 2 quarts warm water.

Sports drink
Make your own electrolyte replacement sports drink by mixing 1/2 gallon bottled water, 1 level tablespoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons salt, 3 tablespoons sugar and powdered ice tea or fruit flavored drink mix. Not recommended for people on a salt-restricted diet.

CD/DVD cleaner
Clean dirt and smudges from CDs and DVDs by gentle sponging with a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 cup water.  Rinse with a clean damp sponge and gently dry with a soft lint-free cloth.

Food processor
To thoroughly clean the crevices and crannies of your food processor blade assembly, half-fill the clean processor container with water, add 2 tablespoons baking soda, cover and run briefly at medium speed.  Then add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and run at low speed for a few seconds.  Empty the container and wash as usual.

Scuff mark remover
Remove black heel marks on washable kitchen flooring by scrubbing with baking soda on a damp sponge.

Vinyl seat wash
Safely clean the vinyl on kitchen chairs by sponging with a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 cup water.  Rinse well and dry.

Bathing suit soak
Pre-soak bathing suits in solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart water to remove sea salt or pool chemicals before laundering.

Ring-around-the-collar
Pre-treat ring-around-the-collar by scrubbing with a paste of 3 tablespoons baking soda and 2 tablespoons water.  For worse stains, let the paste work for an hour or more before washing.

Pool saver
Before packing away the children’s vinyl swimming pool, make sure it is totally dry and sprinkle it with baking soda before rolling up for storage.

Swing set cleaner
Clean tree sap, grime and bird droppings from plastic and metal swing sets with baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge.

Spa cleaner
Clean hard water deposits and body oils from acrylic and fiberglass spas with baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge.

Traction action
In the winter, sprinkle baking soda on icy steps and porch as a traction aid.  It won’t harm outside brick, wood or concrete surfaces, it is safe on shoes, and it won’t damage the floor if tracked inside.

Septic tank saver
Avoid septic system problems by flushing 1 cup baking soda down the toilet every week.  Baking soda creates the optimum environment for bacterial digestion of solid waste and clarification of the liquid leaving the septic tank.

From “The Baking Soda Bonanza, 2^nd Edition,” by Peter A. Ciullo

Ants
Ants will avoid lines of powder and sharp crystals.  Sprinkle barriers of talcum powder, bone meal, cayenne pepper or boric acid across their trails or draw a line with chalk.  When ants appear, the first and best choice is to wipe them away with a soapy sponge.

Cockroaches
Try a light dusting of borax around the refrigerator, stove and ductwork.  You can combine sugar, flour and boric acid to poison roaches; they will carry the powder back to their nests.

Fleas
Prevention is best.  Keep the pet’s bed laundered.  Regular vacuuming will eliminate them.  The “Safer” brand offers a full line of products that contain no pesticides.

Flies
Don’t spray; swat.  Non-insecticide flypaper still works.

Moths
Cedar blocks or chips are a safe alternative to moth balls.  Sweaters should be stored in airtight containers or zipper bags.

Mice and rats
Mechanical traps are the non-toxic choice.  Poison can be a problem if there are pets or toddlers in the home.  Prevent future infestation by checking sanitation practices and rat-proofing potential entrances.

Laundry detergent
Use powdered, phosphate-free detergents that are available in boxes made from recyclable paper.  Liquid detergents generally contain no phosphates, but are sold in plastic bottles that should be recycled.  For extra whitening, use soap flakes and washing soda.

Detergent amount
Putting more detergent into the wash will not get the clothes cleaner; it only adds a surface film.  Remember that even biodegradable phosphate-free detergents can add to water pollution, so use sparingly.

Stain remover
Many stains can be removed with water and vinegar.  Spray mixture on the stain.

Perspiration stains
Weak water solutions of white vinegar, lemon juice or aspirin can be used as a presoak to remove perspiration stains, or soak clothes in a solution of corn meal and water.

To remove tougher stains, soak the spot in a mixture of 1/4 cup borax in 2 cups cold water prior to washing.  Rub corn meal and water into greasy stains and then rinse with lemon juice before machine washing.

Starch
Laundry starch is basically non-toxic.  Purchase it in the spray pump bottle rather than the aerosol can.

Fabric softener
Add 1/2 cup baking soda to the wash load to make clothes feel soft and smell fresh.

Laundry brightener
Add 1/2 cup baking soda with regular liquid laundry detergent to help whiten socks and dirty clothes.

Hand cleaner
To clean hands of paint or grease, massage them with baby oil, mineral oil, margarine or butter.  Wipe them dry on a paper towel, then wash your hands with soap and water.

Stains
General household stains can be cleaned and disinfected with borax solutions.

Pet stains and odors
Mix 1/4 cup vinegar in 1/4 cup liquid soap.  Rub in the mixture, blot the stain and rinse with water.

Garage floor spot remover
To remove grease from garage floors, sprinkle the spot with fresh clay-based cat litter.  Let stand for a few hours then sweep up.

Blood stains
Club soda and cold water remove fresh blood stains.  Blot up with a clean cloth.

Chocolate stains
Blot the stain with club soda.