If you are looking into how to live a more green, ethical, environmentally conscious and sustainable life then you may be surprised by how much Bicarbonate of Soda crops up in discussion. This baking ingredient has a huge variety of uses for those who are trying to transition to a more thoughtful way of living. One of the best things you can do is to buy a box of bicarbonate of soda right now. Here is a list of just some of the things it can be used for around your home:

Cleaning:

Do not buy any more unnecessary household chemicals! Most of the time, the harsh chemicals are not needed, they are detrimental to your health and to the environment when they go down the drain. Baking soda is great for cleaning everything from surfaces, to ovens, to dishes. Use it along with white vinegar to clean even the most stubborn grease. Try it, you will be surprised by how effective it is at cleaning away dirt and making your house properly clean and fresh smelling.

Washing:

Bicarbonate of soda can also be used for Washing. It will do a perfectly effective job of washing your clothes in place of an ordinary laundry detergent and will soften the water, actually increasing the life of appliances in hard water areas. If you require a scent to your clothing then a little organic bar soap mixed into a solution, or a few drops of essential oil would do the trick and vinegar is great if you want a fabric softener. But really all you need to have clean and fresh smelling clothes is the bicarbonate of soda. This will work whether you are washing in a machine or hand washing.

You can also use bicarbonate of soda to wash your hair. It works extremely well and apple cider vinegar is great as a conditioner. Again, scents can be added if you wish though this is not necessary. Shampoo and conditioner can easily be done away with and you will find that your hair is healthy and fresh and looks great once you have found the right ‘no-poo’ mix for your hair.

Deodorising:

Bicarbonate of soda does not just clean, it can also get rid of unpleasant smells. Sprinkle some in your fridge to prevent any nasty odours and sprinkle on carpets or upholstery to get rid of stubborn smells. It can even be used on pets to make them smell fresher.

Baking:

Considering its amazing cleaning and deodorising abilities, it is surprising to think that this is something we can put in food. It can be used in making a range of lovely soda breads and can help raise cakes – remember how much better it is to take control over the food you are eating and doing things from scratch with basic, fresh, local ingredients. Bicarbonate of soda once more aids the keen, green living individual.