When it comes to the holy grail of household pantry items, you really can’t go past the humble packet of bi-carb soda. You can clean with it, cook with it … and so much more. But there are quite a few, well, unusual things you can do with the magic white powder and we managed to track a few weird and wonderful ones. Here are some of the more helpful and interesting uses of bicarbonate soda you didn’t know.
5 unique uses of bicarbonate soda
1. Predict your unborn baby’s gender
I know, I know. It sounds totally absurd. But the bi-carb prediction test is actually a thing and when Kidspot asked for a few volunteers to try it, we were surprised with the results.
Our candidates had to pee in a cup and then put two tablespoons of bi-carb soda in a separate cup. Next was to pour a bit of the pee inside the soda and if it fizzes, it’s a boy. No fizz and it’s a girl.
Of 96 participants, 59 said the results were correct while 37 said it was incorrect. Beats baking a cake with it, I say!
2. Removing your child’s ‘artwork’ from the walls in your home
Image source: iStock
“Ah yes. We just love little Johnny’s dinosaur drawing on the lounge room wall” said no parent EVER!
Rather than tear your hair out once again, know that the clean-up can be simple with a damp sponge and a little bi-carb. Gently rub it and the drawing will come right off with very little effort.
3. DIY no-nasties cleaning products
Image source: iStock
Adding ingredients like bi-carb soda, borax, soap, salt or white vinegar to the basics of air and water (two of the world’s best cleaning products) creates a smorgasbord of offerings to clean a home in a planet-friendly, affordable manner.
Bi-carb is mildly abrasive so don’t overdo it. Mixed with a little detergent, it creates a creamy cleanser (like Jif or Gumption) but remember to use only a little if you don’t want white powdery smears all over everything.
4. Eliminate nasty odours in your home
Image source: iStock
The pantry staple has a high pH and can neutralise odours by changing the pH rather than masking it with other smells like perfumes or essential oils.
Sprinkle a little on the carpet, pet bedding and toys and leave it for 15 minutes before vacuuming it all up. You’ll be surprised with just how fresh everything smells afterwards and you didn’t have to mask it with any additional floral scents!
5. The saviour for bed-wetting accidents
Toilet training isn’t fun, that’s a parenting fact. And we’re all expecting to just accept that there will be accidents. Lots of them.
If your little one has had an accident in the middle of the night, rather than wait until the morning to clean it all up and risk stains and horrible long-lasting smells, sprinkle some soda liberally on the mattress and vacuum it in the morning. The soda will help neutralise those smells and soak up anything that might stain. It’s not going to eliminate evidence of an accident completely, but every bit helps, right?
This article was first published in Kidspot and was republished on theAsianparent with permission.
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