TIP TALKS
The e-Newsletter of the
Toxics Information Project (TIP)
January, 2013
*****************************************************************************************************
- What's Up for the New Year? (Plus, Many Uses for An Old Favorite)
IT'S A NEW YEAR - AND CHANGE IS ON THE WAY!
TIP is planning in 2013 to do some things a bit differently than
in past years. Plans are a work in progress, but here are some
of the ideas & activities being considered. We'd welcome your
thoughts on the proposed changes.
TOPICS
**FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD (Facts & Fantasy)
**BOOKLET MAKEOVERS
**AUTISM PROJECT
**WEBSITE WHITTLING
**51 EXCITING USES FOR BAKING SODA!
*******************************************************************
**FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD! (FACTS & FANTASY)
As you are likely aware, given the number of food-related items in
our recent newsletters, this has become our top concern. A good
deal of my time in 2013 will be spent working with our newly formed
group dedicated to protecting the food supply from GMOs, pesticides
& factory farming. This will include informational materials and
shopping lists, tips, talks, the showing of videos, encouraging &
assisting consumer action. Join us - or help us get the word out.
**BOOKLET MAKEOVERS. Our wonderful "Grounds & Gardens
Guide" (which began life as the Less Toxic Landscaping Directory)
and our "Healthy Holiday Hints" booklets will be transformed this
year. Simply put, we've been tending to repeat much of the same
kind of information, and I think folks need to see something different.
I expect to shift the Spring gardens theme toward - guess what - an
emphasis on food - along with the growing of it. (It will still include
links to the same important gardening resources and info - on the
landscaping page of our website.
I'm not sure what form the Fall/Winter booklet will take, but I'm
thinking to get away from the now standard holiday format, and
open it up to different topics. Maybe you will come up with some
suggestions for that - now or when the time approaches!
**AUTISM PROJECT: We've done a flyer on asthma, and this year
we'll be gathering good, independent information about this other
growing epidemic that especially affects children. It will tie in
somewhat with the food concerns, since much research is now
pointing to dietary connections with autism spectrum conditions.
But we'll go well beyond that, looking at the variety of factors
which can cause ADHD, ADD, etc. - or simply trigger symptoms.
It is a complex matter, mingling genetic susceptibility with
environmental considerations. One size does not "fit all", yet
there is much parents can do to reduce risk & improve prognosis.
**WEBSITE WHITTLING: We will be continuing to edit and expand
various pages on our website, to provide more information in a
convenient, digestible manner. We have so many great sources
and articles - the trick will be to make them available in simple,
reader-friendly style.
That is our general plan for the year - help us make it even better
by telling us which concerns and topics are of most interest to you,
so that we may provide information on those. Also, let us know
which formats you prefer - how do you like your information presented
and arranged?
****************************************************************************
NOW, FOR THAT OLD FAVORITE - BAKING SODA! WOULD YOU
BELIEVE 51 EXCITING USES FOR IT? YOU WILL NOW! READ ON:
**WARNING: This is the longest article ever included in a TIP TALKS
newsletter! Of course, it includes many of the shortest - and most
practical, non-toxic, money-saving tips! :-)
51 FANTASTIC USES FOR BAKING SODA
I don’t mean to sound seditious here, but I have a rebellious plan to
combat the ills that many corporations are perpetrating in the name of
fighting grime and germs. My main gripe is about the environmental
pollutants from cleaning and personal care products that we wash down
our drains and into our water systems, resulting in situations like the
chemical triclosan (a pesticide added to many products as an
antibacterial agent) being found in dolphins.
So the simple plan is to encourage everyone to use baking soda in any of
these 51 applications. Besides showing kindness to aquatic life, we can
also protect ourselves from the array of toxins in household cleaning
products. Conventional cleansers can expose us to multiple chemicals
linked to asthma, cancer, and other documented health problems.
Baking soda also makes a perfect stand-in for many personal care
products, which are adding their own twist to the toxic tangle of
pollutants and personal health (mainly in the form of synthetic
fragrance (and it’s almost all synthetic), sodium laurel sulfate, and
parabens)
So exactly how does baking soda fit into my scheme to make the world a
better place? Baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, helps regulate
pH—keeping a substance neither too acidic nor too alkaline. When baking
soda comes in contact with either an acidic or an alkaline substance,
it’s natural effect is to neutralize that pH. Beyond that, baking soda
has the ability to retard further changes in the pH balance, known as
buffering. This dual capability of neutralizing and buffering allows
baking soda to do things such as neutralize acidic odors (like in the
refrigerator) as well as maintain neutral pH (like in your laundry
water, which helps boost your detergent’s power). It’s a simple
reaction, but one that has far-reaching effects for a number of cleaning
and deodorizing tasks. And so without further ado, I’ll remove my
scientist cap, put on my rebellious housekeeper’s cap, and get this
folk-wisdom revolution rolling…
Personal Care
1. Make Toothpaste
A paste made from baking soda and a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution
can be used as an alternative to commercial non-fluoride toothpastes.
(Or here’s a formula for a minty version.) You can also just dip your
toothbrush with toothpaste into baking soda for an extra boost.
2. Freshen Your Mouth
Put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, spit and rinse. Odors
are neutralized, not just covered up.
3. Soak Oral Appliance
Soak oral appliances, like retainers, mouthpieces, and dentures, in a
solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in a glass or small bowl
of warm water. The baking soda loosens food particles and neutralizes
odors to keep appliances fresh. You can also brush appliances clean
using baking soda.
4. Use as a Facial Scrub and Body Exfoliant
Give yourself an invigorating facial and body scrub. Make a paste of 3
parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to
exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean. This is gentle enough for daily use.
(For a stronger exfoliant, try one of these great 5 Homemade Sugar
Scrubs.)
5. Skip Harsh Deodorant
Pat baking soda onto your underarms to neutralize body odor.
6. Use as an Antacid
Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour
stomach and/or acid indigestion. Refer to baking soda package for
instructions.
7. Treat Insect Bites & Itchy Skin
For insect bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply
as a salve onto affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda
into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower. For
specific tips on bee stings, see Bee Stings: Prevention and Treatment.
8. Make a Hand Cleanser and Softener
Skip harsh soaps and gently scrub away ground-in dirt and neutralize
odors on hands with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, or 3
parts baking soda to gentle liquid hand soap. Then rinse clean. You can
try this honey and cornmeal scrub for hands too.
9. Help Your Hair
Vinegar is amazing for your hair, but baking soda has its place in the
shower too. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along
with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly–baking
soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your
hair is cleaner and more manageable.
10. Clean Brushes and Combs
For lustrous hair with more shine, keep brushes and combs clean. Remove
natural oil build-up and hair product residue by soaking combs and
brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of
warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.
11. Make a Bath Soak
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralize acids on the skin
and help wash away oil and perspiration, it also makes your skin feel
very soft. Epsom salts are pretty miraculous for the bath too, read
about the health benefits of epsom salt baths.
12. Soothe Your Feet
Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water and soak
feet. Gently scrub. You can also make a spa soak for your feet.
Cleaning
13. Make a Surface Soft Scrub
For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile and sinks–even
fiberglass and glossy tiles–sprinkle baking soda lightly on a clean damp
sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. For extra
cleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, course salt and liquid
dish soap—let it sit then scour off.
14. Handwash Dishes and Pots & Pans
Add 2 heaping tablespoons baking soda (along with your regular dish
detergent) to the dish water to help cut grease and foods left on
dishes, pots and pans. For cooked-on foods, let them soak in the baking
soda and detergent with water first, then use dry baking soda on a clean
damp sponge or cloth as a scratchless scouring powder. Using a
dishwasher? Try these energy saving tips.
15. Freshen Sponges
Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solution to get rid
of the mess (4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm
water). For more thorough disinfecting, use the microwave.
16. Clean the Microwave
Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the
microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with
water.
17. Polish Silver Flatware
Use a baking soda paste made with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water.
Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and
dry for shining sterling and silver-plate serving pieces.
18. Clean Coffee and Tea Pots
Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter off-tastes by washing
mugs and coffee makers in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart
of warm water. For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight in the baking
soda solution and detergent or scrubbing with baking soda on a clean
damp sponge.
19. Clean the Oven
Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of the oven. Spray with water to
dampen the baking soda. Let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub, scoop
the baking soda and grime out with a sponge, or vacuum, and rinse.
20. Clean Floors
Remove dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) from no wax and
tile floors using 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water–mop and
rinse clean for a sparkling floor. For scuff marks, use baking soda on a
clean damp sponge, then rinse. Read Natural Floor Cleaning for more tips
on avoiding toxic floor cleaners.
21. Clean Furniture
You can make a homemade lemon furniture polish, or you can clean and
remove marks (even crayon) from walls and painted furniture by applying
baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean,
dry cloth.
22. Clean Shower Curtains
Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling baking soda
directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtain and
rinse clean. Hang it up to dry.
23. Boost Your Liquid Laundry Detergent
Give your laundry a boost by adding ½ cup of baking soda to your laundry
to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash
gets clothes cleaner, fresher, and brighter.
24. Gently Clean Baby Clothes
Baby skin requires the most gentle of cleansers, which are increasingly
available, but odor and stain fighters are often harsh. For tough stains
add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your liquid laundry detergent, or a 1/2
cup in the rinse cycle for deodorization.
25. Clean Cloth Diapers
Dissolve ½ cup of baking soda in 2 quarts of water and soak diapers
thoroughly.
26. Clean and Freshen Sports Gear
Use a baking soda solution (4 tablespoons Baking soda in 1 quart warm
water) to clean and deodorize smelly sports equipment. Sprinkle baking
soda into golf bags and gym bags to deodorize, clean golf irons (without
scratching them!) with a baking soda paste (3 parts Baking sodato 1 part
water) and a brush. Rinse thoroughly.
27. Remove Oil and Grease Stains
Use Baking soda to clean up light-duty oil and grease spills on your
garage floor or in your driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and
scrub with a wet brush.
28. Clean Batteries
Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars,
mowers, etc. because its a mild alkali. Be sure to disconnect the
battery terminals before cleaning. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda
to 1 part water, apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the
battery terminal. After cleaning and re-connecting the terminals, wipe
them with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Please be careful
when working around a battery–they contain a strong acid.
29. Clean Cars
Use baking soda to clean your car lights, chrome, windows, tires, vinyl
seats and floor mats without worrying about unwanted scratch marks. Use
a baking soda solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water.
Apply with a sponge or soft cloth to remove road grime, tree sap, bugs,
and tar. For stubborn stains use baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge
or soft brush. Here’s how Sustainable Dave washes his car.
Deodorizing
30. Deodorize Your Refrigerator
Place an open box in the back of the fridge to neutralize odors.
31. Deodorize the Cutting Board
Sprinkle the cutting board with baking soda, scrub, rinse.
32. Deodorize Trashcans
Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trashcan to keep stinky trash
smells at bay.
33. Deodorize Recyclables
Sprinkle baking soda on top as you add to the container. Also, clean
your recyclable container periodically by sprinkling baking soda on a
damp sponge. Wipe clean and rinse. Learn about how to recycle
everything.
34. Deodorize Drains
To deodorize your sink and tub drains, and keep lingering odors from
resurfacing, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain while running
warm tap water–it will neutralize both acid and basic odors for a fresh
drain. (This a good way to dispose of baking soda that is being retired
from your refrigerator.) Do you know what you’re not supposed to put
down your drains?
35. Deodorize and Clean Dishwashers
Use Baking soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasher and then as a
gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.
36. Deodorize Garbage Disposals
To deodorize your disposal, and keep lingering odors from resurfacing,
pour baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water. Baking
Soda will neutralize both acid and basic odors for a fresh drain.
37. Deodorize Lunch Boxes
Between uses, place a spill-proof box of baking soda in everyone’s lunch
box to absorb lingering odors. Read bout safe lunch boxes here.
38. Remove Odor From Carpets
Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let set overnight, or as
long as possible (the longer it sets the better it works). Sweep up the
larger amounts of baking soda, and vacuum up the rest. (Note that your
vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy.)
39. Remove Odor From Vacuum Cleaners
By using the method above for carpets, you will also deodorize your
vacuum cleaner.
40. Freshen Closets
Place a box on the shelf to keep the closet smelling fresh, then follow
these tips to organize your closet in an eco-friendly way.
41. Deodorizing Cars
Odors settle into car upholstery & carpet, so each time you step in and
sit down, they are released into the air all over again. Eliminate these
odors by sprinkling baking soda directly on fabric car seats and
carpets. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for strong odors) and vacuum up the
baking soda.
42. Deodorize the Cat Box
Cover the bottom of the pan with baking soda, then fill as usual with
litter. To freshen between changes, sprinkle baking soda on top of the
litter after a thorough cleaning. You can also use green tea for this
purpose!
43. Deodorize Pet Bedding
Eliminate odors from your pets bedding by sprinkling liberally with
baking soda, wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odors), then vacuum
up.
44. Deodorize Sneakers
Keep odors from spreading in smelly sneakers by shaking baking soda into
them when not in use. Shake out before wearing. When they’re no longer
wearable, make sure to donate your old sneakers.
45. Freshen Linens
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle for fresher sheets and
towels. You can also make homemade lavender linen water with this
formula.
46. Deodorize Your Wash
Gym clothes of other odoriferous clothing can be neutralized with a ½
cup of baking soda in the rinse cycle.
47. Freshen Stuffed Animals
Keep favorite cuddly toys fresh with a dry shower of baking soda.
Sprinkle baking soda on and let it sit for 15 minutes before brushing
off.
Miscellaneous
48. Camping Cure-all
Baking soda is a must-have for your next camping trip. Its a dish
washer, pot scrubber, hand cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste,f ire
extinguisher and many other uses.
49. Extinguish Fires
Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor grease or
electrical kitchen fires, because when baking soda is heated, it gives
off carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking
fires (frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or
electricity if you can safely do so. Stand back and throw handfuls of
baking soda at the base of the flame to help put out the fire–and call
the Fire Department just to be safe. (And, you should have a fire
entinguisher on hand anyway, here’s why.
50. Septic Care
Regular use of baking soda in your drains can help keep your septic
system flowing freely. 1 cup of baking soda per week will help maintain
a favorable pH in your septic tank.
51. Fruit and Vegetable Scrub
Baking soda is the food safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh
fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge,
scrub and rinse. Here’s another way to clean your vegetables as well.
OK, so there are my 51 suggestions (with a little help from the Arm &
Hammond baking soda site, thank you). Do you have any tips or tricks
that I missed? Please share in the comments.
About the Author: Melissa Breyer is a writer and editor with a
background in sustainable living, specializing in food, science and
design. She is the co-author of True Food (National Geographic) and has
edited and written for regional and international books and periodicals,
including The New York Times Magazine. Melissa lives in Brooklyn, NY.
**************************************************************
Liberty Goodwin, Director
Toxics Information Project
P.O. Box 40572,
Providence, RI 02940
Tel. 401-351-9193
Website: www.toxicsinfo.org
***********************************************