Sodium bicarbonate is a must-have in any household, thanks to the substance being able to be used for a multitude of purposes.
To find out what some of these sodium bicarbonate benefits are, read on:
Gets rid of smells
Sodium bicarbonate, which is often known as baking soda, can be used for household jobs and when out in the garden. It even has medical and health benefits.
One of its most effective uses is its ability to get rid of unpleasant smells.
You can put a bowl of it in the fridge, freezer or cupboard if there are any horrible odours you want to remove, or you could sprinkle some at the bottom of the bin if the rubbish has been particularly pungent.
It can also be used in food containers that still have stale smells. Simply rinse, or soak, the tub with a mixture of sodium bicarb and water.
Remove stains and burnt food
Thanks to its chemical make-up, baking soda is able to remove stains, scuffs and even burnt food with ease. You could get rid of grease spills, polish silver, and clean worktops simply by sprinkling the powder and wiping away with water.
Prevents weeds
Gardening enthusiasts will, no doubt, be getting tubs of sodium bicarbonate to keep their weeds at bay. Pouring it into cracks in the patio will kill small weeds and could stop any new ones from cropping up.
It can also be used to kill crabgrass, which can be otherwise difficult to get rid of.
The Spruce reminds gardening: “You can’t prevent seeds from a neighbouring property from blowing over and landing in your yard. Those seeds will sprout next spring in your lawn unless you prevent them from germinating.”
Relieves digestive complaints
As baking soda is a natural substance, it can be used in the bloodstream to counterbalance any build-up of acid and regulate pH levels.
Consequently, it provides a lot of medical benefits, particularly when it comes to digestive issues.
It can be used to neutralise stomach acid, treat stomach ulcers, ease tummy pain, and get rid of bloating or gas.
This is also why it is useful when it comes to relieving acid reflux, which is where the stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus. Heartburn can be very painful, especially if it turns into gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Similarly, as it reduces acidity in urine, it can be used in the treatment of painful urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Reduces coughs, sore throats and flu
It can sometimes feel as though you have a constant cough or cold over the autumn and winter months, and no amount of over-the-counter medication seems to help.
However, some people swear by baking soda, as this soothes acid reflux, which can irritate the throat even more. It also relieves the tickly and scratchy feeling in the throat, and reduces swelling.
Simply dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water and gargle this every three hours.
Write a comment