17 of the most brilliant ways to fix things with baking soda

The flaky scalp on infants known as cradle cap is harmless and will usually go away on its own, but most parents can’t stand to look at it. Make a paste in your palm of a couple of tablespoons baking soda and a teaspoon of water. Rub gently on the affected area, being careful not to get near the eyes, then wipe off with a damp washcloth, using no soap or baby shampoo. Repeat for two to three days until the flakiness lessens. (If the baby’s head is very red after this treatment, try rubbing in baby oil instead; the soda could be too abrasive).

It’s hard to believe how much pain a tiny sore on the inside of your mouth can cause. Help the sore heal faster by swishing every couple of hours with a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda stirred until it dissolves into 1 cup warm water.

Got a lot of gunk baked onto the walls of your microwave? Put 1 cup water and a few tablespoons of baking soda into a glass container. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Use a damp sponge to wipe off all the loosened grime.

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Don’t let a trail of greasy little fingers down your favourite hallway wallpaper upset you. Rub the stain gently with a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda, then rinse and pat dry.

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Careful use of baking soda can help make certain foods more palatable. A very tiny pinch of baking soda in coffee, orange juice or tomato soup, for example, can prevent an acidic stomach after eating. Be careful not to overdo it or food will taste bland.

For a fresh bite, rush inside and pour a tablespoon of baking soda in your palm. Wet it with a few drops of water to make a paste, then smear it on the bite area. Let it dry and flake off. Treating a mark this way as soon as possible will minimise the red welt and the itching should promptly subside. The same treatment works for bee stings, assuming you have carefully removed any sign of the stinger.

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To keep grass and weeds out of the cracks between your paving stones, sprinkle on baking soda and sweep it into the cracks.

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For hot, sweaty feet or tired, achy toes, plop your feet in a basin of cool water with baking soda stirred in. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse and dry. This will help cut down on odour and may also help ease athlete’s foot.

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Source: RD.com