In this week’s article I thought I would explore the various uses of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda). Before I get started I must state that I am not a medical professional. I cannot diagnose or treat medical conditions.

In my view baking soda is one of the top discoveries in all of history. Why? There are probably a thousand different uses for it. Below are just a few:

• Heartburn and gas-filled stomach — pour one tablespoon of baking soda into a glass of water and drink it, you’ll be surprised.

• Skin exfoliate — Make a slurry out of baking soda and water. Lightly scrub your face then rinse.

• Acne — Make a light paste out of baking soda and water. Apply to affected skin areas and allow to dry for about 10 minutes. Rinse face and gently dry. You should see a marked difference in about three days. Note: A lot of acne creams have bicarbonate of soda in them.

• Keep a box next to your cooking stove. It works great in putting out small grease and electrical fires.

• Baking soda will put out fires on rugs, upholstery, wood, fuel, etc.

• Clean fruits and vegetables using baking soda and water.

• Put baking soda and fresh coffee ground in a small dish and place it in the refrigerator. Does a good job in eliminating trapped odors.

• When cleaning combs, make a solution of baking soda and water. Soak the comb in the solution and scrub clean using an old tooth brush.

• If you have a greasy garage floor, mix baking soda and kitty litter together and apply to the contaminated spots. Let the mixture soak for a while then sweep up.

• For stinky kitty litter boxes, mix kitty litter and small amount of baking soda together.

•  For relief from insect bites, rashes and poison ivy, make a paste of baking soda and cool water and apply to the skin as needed.

• For mouth wash, mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into 1/2 glass of water.

• Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda into baby’s bath water, it will help relieve diaper rash irritation.

• To remove the “gamey” taste of wild game, add 1 cup of baking soda to a 5 gallon bucket of water. Soak the meat in the solution for about 30 minutes, rinse thoroughly and store appropriately.

• To make beans more digestible, soak them over night in a solution of baking soda and water.

• If you’re going to scald a chicken, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to the boiling water. The feathers will come off a lot easier leaving the flesh clean and white.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (208-255-2266) or toll free at 1-877-311-NWES. E-mail them to nwees@hughes. net or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St. , Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed do? For more information about Ed’s company, check him out at NWESINC. COM.

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is president of Northwest Executive & Environmental Services, Inc.