Baking Soda

Baking Soda

    Baking Soda is not only an aid to stopping  indigestion it also aids in cleaning! Here are suggestions to help around your house!    Commercial drain cleaner is toxic and expensive! Instead you can use products already in your household or, if not, easy to find and cheap to buy! In your drains a combination of baking soda and vinegar breaks down fatty acids into soap and glycerin and allows the clog to wash down the drain. You can also use the recipe that follows!
    Be careful: DO NOT USE THESE METHODS AFTER ANY COMMERCIAL DRAIN OPENER HAS BEEN USED OR IS STILL PRESENT IN THE STANDING WATER!!! Toxic fumes will be created, if you do!
    To clear a drain
    In a bowl mix together 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of salt, and 1/4 cup of cream of tartar and pour down the drain, followed by a pan of very hot water - let sit overnight. In the morning, run cold water down the drain to flush it.

    Borax and Hot Water
    Alternatively you can use borax which is to be found in the laundry detergent section of your market. If you can't find it ask your grocer to provide it.
     Pour 1 cup of borax down the drain followed by a pan of very hot water. Allow to sit for an hour, then run cold water for a couple of minutes to flush.

    Laundry
    Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to front loading and 1/2 a cup to top loading washing machines to reduce the amount of chlorine bleach you use when washing your clothes! They will also smell clean and fresh. Chlorine bleach is an environmental hazard.

    General cleaning
    Clean and deodorize all kitchen and bathroom surfaces using baking soda on a damp sponge and for general cleaning dissolve 4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm water.
    Use a baking soda and salt paste to clean enamel,  ceramic and glass baking dishes. It also removes coffee stains from cups or counter tops and is a great soap scum remover.
    There are a number of companies that make biodegradable and eco-friendly cleaning products. Shaklee is one of those:
www.shaklee.com/shop.shtml
    There may be a Shaklee distributor in your area. Search their site for one, or even consider becoming one yourself.
    Another company is Seventh Generation:
http://www.seventhgeneration.com/about
Their mission statement:
    "To inspire a revolution that nurtures the health of the next seven generations."
    They carry many useful products, although I am disappointed that they don't carry cloth diapers, as the growing diaper mountain is a great unspoken environmental hazard, along with ever popular clumping kitty litter. More of that in a later post!!! Have a fantastic day! Try to do at least one green thing today and many more if you can!