Baking Soda for Acne

We all know that baking soda is an all-purpose ingredient in the kitchen. It can be used to bring volume to your hair, whiten teeth naturally, as a lip scrub or body scrub, even washing the hair and, what is more, washing clothes and utensils about the house. 

Today, I bring another skin care use of baking soda. This is for acne. Make a paste of baking soda with water and apply to the affected parts anywhere on the body. Wait till it dries off and wash with cold water. Do it at least twice a week but no more than once a day. Your skin will become smooth and acne-free.

Wash your hair with Baking Soda

What to use to wash our hair? This is a great concern. No one definitely wants to put any kind of chemicals on hair but then, we are not sure that the herbal shampoos are actually herbal or just a marketing tactic. And, some do not want to give up on their favorite brands. In one of my earlier posts, I told you how to convert your regular shampoo into a herbal one. But, again its not a completely herbal shampoo. I have bee wanting to wash my hair with sole baking soda since a very long time. So, yesterday, I finally decided to put it into action.

Well, the results are fabulous. No frizz, no hair maintainence and management issues. Just soft and shiny hair. But, washing with baking soda is quite a challenging job. It takes time to get used to a non-foaming shampoo. (Even the herbal ones foam.) And, for the first time, it took more time for me to shampoo my hair. I took an approximate quantity of baking soda and mixed it with little water to make a paste. Do not add more water. It will turn into liquid and you might not be able to wash your hair properly. I divided my hair into sections especially on the scalp. Make sure your hair is wet through and through. Then, took a little of the paste and rubbed it on the scalp. Section by section, I covered my whole scalp. Then, applied the paste on the hair body and waited for around 10 minutes. Your hair would feel dry at that time as opposed to using shampoos because of the powdery texture of  baking soda. But, it does not make your hair dry. Handle your hair gently to prevent breakage. Stand under the shower and wash off all the baking soda from your hair. Massage your scalp well to make sure it is thoroughly clean. Your hair would take a little more time to dry too. Do not oil your hair too much before washing it. You will need a huge amount of baking soda to clean it and it would take lot of time.You need not follow with a conditioner. Baking soda acts as a conditioner too.

Your hair would be more shine, bouncy and healthy after washing it with baking soda. Regular usage of baking soda also helps prevent split ends. You might take little time getting adjusted to baking soda as it does not foam and you might not be sure of the exact amount to use for your hair. After two-three trials, you would find that using baking soda is way more rewarding and guess what, you are not using anything chemical on your hair. So, go ahead try it and share your experiences.

Whiten your teeth and improve your personality

Teeth are one of the most important parts of a face and they reflect the eating habits of a person. They can make or destroy your personality altogether. It is no good wearing heavy make ups when your basics are not right. And, the health of your teeth comes in the basics. No person can live without smiling or laughing. But, to smile confidently, talk impressively, you need to make some efforts or the result is not worth the glamor displayed. No one really likes yellowed and stained teeth. That is why, so many teeth whitening treatments are in the market and they do sell. But, before you start shelling out your pockets on them, try some home remedies first.

The first one is, definitely, Baking Soda. It is good for removing stains made by coffee, tea or other alcoholic beverages. Wet your toothbrush a little and dip it in a pot full of baking soda (keep it by your wash basin) and brush with it. Do not brush for more than 1-2 minutes. And, leave it on for 5 minutes. Do not rinse. Finish your other works while you wait. Now, apply your regular toothpaste on the unwashed toothbrush (which had been dipped in Baking Soda) and brush your teeth no more than 2 minutes. Rinse your mouth well. Follow this routine 2 times a week. Do not use Baking Soda on your teeth too often because it is mildly abrasive and is not good for the enamel on your teeth if used frequently.

An effective teeth whitening toothpaste: Mixing 3 teaspoons of baking soda mixed with a teaspoon of table salt makes a very effective whitening paste for your teeth. Store the mixture in a jar and brush your teeth and gums twice a week rinsing thoroughly afterwards.

Many people say that you should mix Baking Soda with Hydrogen Peroxide solution and use this toothpaste to clean your teeth. The mixture is definitely very effective and Hydrogen Peroxide is an ingredient in many teeth whiteners, but, it dries your mouth. And, it is not even good for your teeth if used frequently. So, use baking soda alone and you will find some difference in the first usage itself. Well, do not expect your teeth to become sparkling white any time with this treatment. But, it does clean your teeth and gums nicely and keeps them in good shape. And, do not mix baking soda with water to make a paste as it sort of runs down more on your face and hands instead of sticking to your teeth.

And, if you do not like the taste of Baking Soda (kind of salty and bitter) or using it as a paste, then you can mix baking soda in water and make a mouth wash. Use it after every meal. It also helps in removing bad breath.  

Second method which is not very advisable, but, can be tried for some special occasions is Strawberries. Yes, rub strawberries on your teeth and see the difference. The citric acid in the fruits cleanses your teeth and makes them white.
Same effect can be achieved by all citric acid rich foods. Lemon juice can be used as mouth wash sometimes as it removes bad breath. And, simultaneously, helps in cleansing your teeth. But, the acid is highly corrosive on the enamel and makes your teeth very sensitive so make sure you do not use it more than once a month.

Do not use the commercial DIY Bleaching Kits. Read this to know why?

Baking Soda - an environment friendly beauty product

Today, I would be discussing with you various uses of Baking Soda. Baking Soda is a natural sodium bicarbonate which is used in raising the doughs. It is generally used in cakes and pastries and even, pakodas in Indian cuisine. But, apart from these, Baking Soda is good for various other things. I would start with talking about how it can be used as a beauty product and then, move on to its other household uses.

Baking Soda in Beauty:

• It is one of the most gentle scrubs available in the market and does not even cost you that high. And, it leaves your skin super soft. Mix 3 parts of Baking Soda with 1 part of water and scrub your body with it. Do not bother to apply soap or any cleanser as Baking Soda cleanses all the dirt right from the pores. You can use it 3-4 times a week.
• You can mix it in various scrubs or cleansers to make your skin squeaky clean.
• Mix it water and apply on your face. Leave till it dries or for 30 minutes (which ever is earlier). And, wash off. You face will be soft. Do not use any soap or cleanser after that.
• Remove product build ups on your hair with Baking Soda. Mix Baking Soda with shampoo and wash your hair with the mixture. Your hair will squeak when you run your finger through a strand. 
• It cleans the scalp also thoroughly and can be used regularly to prevent any bacterial or fungal infections on the scalp.
• Use baking soda to thicken your hair instantly
• As a teeth whitener
• Make a homemade deodorant using Baking Soda

Household Uses: Baking Soda is a natural disinfectant which can be used to clean almost everything in the house and it is enviornment friendly just like soapnuts.

• It is a very good cleaner for toilets, floors, windows, tiles and tables. It cleans everything thoroughly without damaging it. Mix baking soda in water and spray onto the thing you want to clean and wipe off. 
• Put a table spoon of baking soda in the washing machine along with the detergent to clean your clothes. Baking Soda does not harm the fabric of your cloth. Instead, it brings out the colors very nicely.
• Mix the baking soda with the utensils detergent and clean the utensils. The baking soda cleans all kinds of deposits and makes your utensils squeaky clean.

I have listed all the things I have tried with Baking Soda and I request you to share with everyone if you know any other uses too.

Baking Soda for Voluminous Hair {DIY}

You can get a thick head of hair and increase hair volume by a very simple tip. Use baking soda (Eating Soda) in your conditioner. Mix your conditioner with a table spoon of baking soda and apply to your hair. Wait for 5 minutes and wash off. Your hair will be thick in matter of minutes. Do not worry about the texture of hair. Your hair will be soft and shiny. Baking soda creates a coating over the hair making it thick. But, baking soda does not harm the hair.

You can also use baking soda while shampooing your hair. Mix a table spoon of baking soda in your shampoo. It will clean your hair and scalp well. It removes all the product build ups. You can use it once a while. You can even devote one day to washing your hair only with baking soda. It makes your hair soft and shiny. And, cleans your hair so well that your hair squeaks when touched. You do not even need to follow up with a conditioner afterward. So, get beautiful, shiny and thick hair with baking soda.