9. Personal Care: Baking Soda for Foot Soaks
Create a rejuvenating foot soak by dissolving three tablespoons of baking soda in a basin of warm water. Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes to help soften skin, neutralize odors, and relieve tired feet.
Enhance the soak by adding a few drops of essential oils like lavender or peppermint for additional relaxation and aroma. After soaking, use a pumice stone to gently exfoliate dead skin.
10. Enhancing Garden Health with Baking Soda
To combat fungal infections on plants, create a spray by mixing one tablespoon of baking soda with a gallon of water and a few drops of liquid soap. Apply this mixture to the affected leaves in the early morning or late evening to avoid sunburn.
Baking soda can also help sweeten tomatoes. Sprinkle a small amount around the base of your tomato plants to lower soil acidity and enhance the sweetness of the fruit.
11. Cooking and Baking: Using Baking Soda Properly
In baking, baking soda is a leavening agent that needs an acidic component to activate, such as lemon juice, buttermilk, or yogurt. For instance, if a recipe calls for one teaspoon of baking soda, it should also include an acidic ingredient to ensure proper rising.
Always measure baking soda carefully, as too much can result in a soapy taste. A general guideline is to use about 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda per cup of flour in recipes.
