Those that are attempting to adopt the homesteading mindset are trying to re-learn the lost knowledge from our agrarian ancestors, as well as trying to find practical ways to save a buck or two.  The homesteading mindset is all about re-purposing items we already have in our possession.  With 230 million tons of trash that is thrown away each year in the United States, many people do not realize that the trash they are throwing away can truly be a treasure. 

Finding ways to re-purpose trash can not only make your lifestyle more “green,”, but it can save you money and time as well.  For example, for those of you trying to get your gardens to grow – did you know that plastic soda and water bottles can be used as a drip irrigation system for your garden?  This would not only save on time watering the garden, but also conserve water.  What about all of those great vegetable and fruit peels we throw away instead of composting them?  Most of the trash we throw away can be re-used, re-purposed or re-cycled for another use. 

Here are 10 ways to make your trash work for you:

1. Save those glass jars and bottles and recycle them.  

2. Tuna cans can be used as food plates for rabbits.

3. Popsicle sticks can be used as garden markers.

4. Worn down crayons can be melted into a mold to make more crayons, or used to create fire starters.

5. Ziploc bags can be washed and re-used for future uses.

6. Fruit and vegetable peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds, filters, newspapers, wood ash, grass clippings can be taken to the compost pile.

7. Bones from last nights dinner can be dried out and pulverized to be used as bone meal for garden (make sure all the meat is off the bones).  Once the bones have dried out, they can be thrown into the compost pile or put directly into garden for a fertilizer (provides plants with phosphorus and calcium).

8. Small plastic containers used for yogurt, butter, etc can be re-used as seed pots.

9. Coffee cans can be re-purposed and used as an organizational container for bug out bags, in the home or around the homestead.

10. Plastic containers for spices, oil, laundry soap and shampoo can all be re-used or re-filled.

Spraying smelly bug repellents on  the skin to keep mosquitoes away is the worst, and can be dangerous to children and pets.  The thought of chemicals seeping into the skin literally make my skin crawl.  But no one wants to be stalked by a swarm of mosquitoes either.  Not to mention they carry diseases with them that all of us would like to avoid.  There are plants that can do double duty in the garden by being aesthetic and pleasing to the eye as well as a repellent from mosquitoes and flying insects. 

Despite what many believe, mosquitoes are not after your blood.  They can smell you from 100 feet away!  The deodorants, lotions, perfumes and smelly shampoos confuse the mosquito into thinking you are a flower, and they believe your blood to be flower nectar. 

 There are some easy solutions to remedy this nuisance.  Plant herbs and flowers that give off a scent.  These plants release a smell into the air that mosquitoes cannot stand to be around.  Truly any herb that is pungent, or gives off a distinct smell will deter mosquitoes from coming around it.  These herbs and flowers can be made into a tea or natural repellent, and then sprayed around the yard before a person has a party or BBQ.  Another method of creating a all-natural repellent is to crush the leaves of the herbs or flowers to bring out the oils from the plant and put them in a quantity of alcohol or vodka.  Once the oils have infused with the alcohol begin spraying it outside as one would do with a regular store bought repellent. 

Here is a list of some flowers and herbs that repel mosquitoes and flying insects.

• Geraniums
• Hibiscus
• Mosquito Plant
• Catnip
• Rosemary
• Citronella Grass
• Lemon Grass
• Basil
• Lavender
• Peppermint

Summer is just around the corner.  It is not too late to begin growing some herbs and flowers that can serve mulitple purposes.  All of your guests will be thanking you for your thoughtfulness and forethought of keeping the nagging mosquitoes away during their visit!

 1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one
cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin
B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium
and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick
up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and
Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for
hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a
cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a
soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in
a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long.
The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent
undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the
area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or
to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem
area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the
collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing
the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber
slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free.
Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish
essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium,
avoiding both a hangover and headache!! 

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge?
Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European
trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you
don’t have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber
over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that
not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice
and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the
spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water,
the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling
water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma
that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students
during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints?
Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your
tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will
kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless
steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to
clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine,
but is won’t leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or fingernails while
you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and
slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and
markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

This information was in The New York Times recently as part of their
“Spotlight on the Home” series that highlighted creative and fanciful ways
to solve common problems.

Every disaster food supply list suggests dry milk powder to add to their short and long term disaster supplies. What will the preppers do once their dry milk powder has been consumed?   In a situation where there is no diary products to be found, many will have to find alternative ways to get their daily dose of creamy milk.

Alternative milk sources is not a new concept, as millions of Americans have allergies to diary products, and have had to become creative in their endeavors to find tasty substitutes.  Preparing an alternative source for milk is actually quite easy to do (as long as you have a blender), and will provide essential vitamins, proteins and enzymes to one’s daily diet. 

Many of the recipes for alternatives to milk recommend using natural sweeteners such as agave nectar, maple syrup or honey to add to the flavor of the “milk.”  Since most of these ingredient suggestions are on one’s disaster food supply list, if should not pose a problem.

Milk made from alternative sources have a tendency to last just as long as regular milk.  Any nuts that are used for milk will maintain their freshness if they are refrigerated in an airtight container.  They will last about 6 weeks, if properly stored. 

30 Second Nut Milk

Inspired by Raw Food, Real World (Reagan Books, 2005)

• 2 heaping tbls. raw nut butter
• 2 c. filtered water
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tbls. agave nectar, honey or 1 packet of stevia
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

In a blender, puree all ingredients until smooth.

Basic Almond Milk

• 1 c. raw almonds, soaked at least 4 hours
• 3. c. filtered water

In a high speed blended, blend nuts and water for about 2 minutes until the nuts are completely blended.  Strain the mix through multiple layers of cheesecloth in a colander two times.

Cashew Milk

• 1/2 c. raw cashew pieces
• 2 c. water
• 1 tbls. maple syrup

Combine cashews with 1 cup of water and maple syrup in blender.  Blend on high until thick and creamy.  Slowly add remaining water and blend on high for 2 minutes.  Strain, if desired.

Hemp Milk

• 1/4 c. shelled hemp seeds
• 1 c. warm water
• Sweeter such as honey, vanilla or agave nectar

Combine all ingredients in blender.  Strain, if desired.

Horchata

Inspired by a recipe by Gale Gand from the Food Network

• 1 c. long grain white rice
• 2 c. almonds
• 1-inch cinnamon bark
• 8 c. water
• 1/2 c. organic sugar (or sweetener)
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla

Wash and drain rice.  Use a spice grinder, or electric coffee grinder to rice until fine.  Combine rice with the almonds and cinnamon bark.  Add 3 1/2 cup water, cover and let it sit overnight.  In a blender, blend rice mixture until smooth.  Add 2 1/2 cup of water and continue blending.  Add sweetener and vanilla extract.  Strain mixture with a metal strainer, and then again using a double layer of cheese cloth.  Add up to an additional 2 cups of water until you get the consistency you like.

Macadamia Nut Milk

Inspired by Raw Food, Real World (Reagan Books, 2005)

• 1 c. macadamia nuts, soaked 1 hour or more.
• 3 c. filtered water
• 3 tbls. agave nectar
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• pinch of sea salt (optional)

In a blender, blend the nuts and water on high speed for about 2 minutes.  Add the rest of the ingredients and blend to combine.  Strain if you want it super creamy or drink as is.

Oat Milk

• 2 c. cooked oatmeal (not the instant type)
• 4 c. water
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• Pinch of salt (optional)
• Sweeter to taste (if desired)

Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth (about 2-3 minutes).  Chill, and shake before using.

Rice Milk

Inspired by a recipe from Mothering Magazine

• 1/2 c. brown rice
• 8 c. water
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 3 tbls. maple syrup or honey
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Place rice, 8 cups of water, and salt in a pan.

Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low and simmer 3 hours, or until rice is very soft. *This can also be done in a slow cooker overnight

In a blender, puree rice mixture with remaining ingredients.  You will have to do it in two batches.  Puree each bath at least 2 to 3 mintues to completely liquefy the rice.

Add more water if you prefer it to be a thinner consistency.

Source –  recipes were found at care2

Many of today’s children, for one reason or another, suffer from emotional wellness issues.  They are typically prescribed medicines that alter their personality.  Anyone who has a child on these prescribed medicines know that it takes up to 8 weeks to get the body acclimated to the medication.  And, once the child stops taking these medication,  in some cases their bodies go through a withdrawal effect.  And in some cases, the withdrawal effects are so bad, the child has to get on withdrawal medicines, such as clonidine.  If a long term disaster were to occur, there could be a possibility that there would be no access to these medicines.  Are there any alternatives to these medicines that children could use?

Wholesome Diet

Quality, fresh foods can have a profound effect on the mind.  A change in diet can make all the difference.  Studies have shown that foods high in fatty acids (Omega 3 and 6) and foods high in protein can have a deep impact on the mood and attention span.  Eating the right founds can literally change the chemical makeup of how a child reacts to his world.  Removing sugar, artificial flavorings and red dyes from diets can make a big difference. 

Natural Herbs

• Making a tea out of certain herbs such as chamomile (Matricaria Recutita) and catnip (Nepeta Cataria) have calming agents that help keep the child calm.  These are also excellent teas for children how have problems sleeping at night. 
• Skull cap (skullcap lateriflora)  is another herb that has been  shown to assist in mental disorders as well as a wide range of nervous disorders.  Specifically, the sedative properties this herb has helps calm a person and alleviate anxiety and settles nerves.  This herb is also used as a sleeping aide for some.  1 tsp. of dried leaves to 1 cup of boiling water.  Steep for 1-2 minutes.  This tea will create soothing and stimulating feelings.
• St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) assists in healthy neurotransmitter balance.  These neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin assist in cognitive focus and cell to cell communication. 
• Passion Flower (Passiflora Incarnata) relaxes the nervous system and relieves tension, anxiety and irritability that arises from everyday stress.

Supplements

There are natural supplements on the market designed specifically for children that have combined herbs and special vitamins to curb the symptoms of anxiety and panic, assist in mental clarity and help suppress irritability.  For example, Clarocet Jr. is a natural supplement that includes herbs like St. John’s Wort, Lemon Balm, Passion Flower, German Chamomile Flower, Bacopa, 5-HTP and a combination of essential vitamins such as vitamin C, Magnesium and Zinc.  These supplements can be purchased without a prescription and could be used during a long term disaster.  The great benefit of having these supplements on hand is that they will last for at least 2-3 years, if properly stored.  Discussing these supplements with the child’s doctor would be beneficial to the child’s well being.  Supplements are relatively inexpensive and are a great natural alternative to the medications that are currently being prescribed.

Depending on the diagnosis of the child, there are natural alternatives available that can help alleviate some of the symptoms the child experiences.  With proper research, a parent could find proper alternatives to have as a back up in the case that an unforeseen disaster were to occur.   If a parent is concerned about the possibility of a long term disaster, they should speak with their child’s doctor to discuss any alternatives the child can use in lieu of their existing prescription.

The below recipes were found of the forums of  www.survivalistboards.com.

Laundry Detergent

I have used the below recipe for a little over two years now with good results.  It is cheap and easy to mix up and gets the dirt out.

Ingredients

• 1 bar of soap – whatever kind your prefer
• 1 box of washing soda – in the laundry detergent aisle of stores.  It comes in an Arm and Hammer box and will contain enough for 6 batches.
• 1 box of Borax – optional, but really kicks the cleaning up a notch.
• 5 gallon bucket with lid – or a container that can hold up to 15 liters.
• 3 gallons of tap water

Put about 4 cups of water into a pan on your stove and turn the heat up on high until it’s almost boiling.

While water is heating up, begin shaving strips off of bar soap into the water until most of the bar of soap is shaved off into the water.  Make sure the soap shavings have dissolved into the water.

Put three gallons of hot water, or 11 liters or so into the 5 gallon bucket.  Then mix in the hot soapy water from step one, stir is for a while, then add 1 cup of the washing soda.  Keep stirring it for another minute or two.  Add a half cup of borax if you are still using borax.  Stir for another couple of minutes, then allow it to sit overnight.

Once the mixture has settled overnight, it will look a pale shade of gelatinous mixture.  One measuring cup full of this mixture will be roughly what one would need to do a load of laundry. 

3 gallons of this mixture will give you 48 loads of laundry detergent.  The author of this recipe broke the cost of this recipe down and came out to 3 cents/per gallon.  Not a bad deal, if you ask me.

Fabric Softener

• 3 cups of vinegar
• 2 cups hair conditioner
• 6 cups water

Mix it all together and add to washing machine at the proper cycle.

Note - some people only use 1/4-1/2 cup of vinegar as their chosen fabric softener, but the above mentioned is another version.

How To Wash Clothes Without a Washing Machine

 This video was too precious not to share.  Pioneer Living  has instructional videos on a variety of subjects .  The video below is of their daughter, Alicia teaching everyone how to properly wash clothes on a wash board.  Thanks Alicia for the great instructions!

“For anyone living in an inland area, I consider salt the highest priority barter and charity item.  Buy a lot of salt, in several forms.  As space allows, buy 20 to 30 of the 50-pound plain white salt blocks from your local feed store.  These are great for barter — both for folks with livestock and for people that want to attract wild game.  Buy a couple of 25 pound sacks of iodized salt for your own use.  Also buy 100 to 200 of the standard cardboard one pound canisters of iodized salt for small scale barter transactions.”

Survival Blog

The Importance of Salt Should Not Be Underestimated

In the CBS apocalyptic series, Jericho, there were towns that literally went to war over salt. 

Everyone knows that salt is a necessity in food preparations, but it has many other important functions around a homestead environment as well.  Animals, as well as humans cannot live without some salt in their bodies.  On a physiological level, salt is a requirement to sustain a body.  Specifically, salt assists in regulating the functioning of the digestive system and the kidneys, as well as helps conduct electric signals in the body.  Additionally, farmers have also used Epsom salt to heal scratches and rashes on their livestock.  This type of salt suppresses muscle aches and inflammation.

Ways to Use Salt Around the Homestead

• Food preservation – Table salt is the most important ingredient in curing food.  According to Wikipedia,  salt kills and inhibits the growth of microorganisms by drawing water out of the cells of both microbe and food alike through osmosis.
• Medical Purposes- Modern medicine has recently rediscovered the healing effects of salt on the body.  Salt provides antiseptic and bactericidal qualities when ocean salt is used.  A way to treat chronically inflamed skin is by bathing in salt (Dead Sea salt or normal salt can be used).  The salt helps to regenerate the skin.  Therefore, it would be effective in the use of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and chronic eczema, inflamed mucous membranes, as well as arthritis. 
• Tanning hides is another way that salt can be used on the homestead.  The salt preserves the hide.  Experts suggest that for “Hair on tanning,” spread fine granular salt (table salt, canning salt or solar salt) on the hide to completely cover it.  The hide should be salted for 1-3 days.  For further instructions, click here.
• Soaps can get an added boost when  adding salt, specifically sea salt to the soap making process.  The added benefits are that the salt will exfoliate skin and naturally heal the skin from it’s natural antiseptic factors. There are different methods to the soap making process, and research should be done as to which process is right for you.  Additionally, a person can add 1 cup of finely ground sea salt to 1 cup of liquid soap to make a daily exfoliating soap.
• Livestock - Mineralized salt blocks are a supplemental feeding that can be fed to livestock such as horses, sheep, and goats.  Not to mention, salt blocks can be  used to attract wildlife.  Deer will go the distance to find salt blocks.  Luring wildlife to the homestead would be a beneficial way to hunt without wasting much needed energy when searching.  The wildlife will literally come to you.

Salt is a multipurpose, low cost prep that will be highly desirable if a long term disaster were to come around.  Prepping calculators suggest having 25 pounds of salt stored for one year.  With all of the uses that salt can provide, perhaps we should think about stocking up a little more on this worthwhile prep item.

Look to the animal for clues as to what the problem may be.  It is advised to research the ailment as much as possible and to look for clues to indicate what the problem may be before trying to remedy the problem. 

• Listen to the respiration and heart rate, as well as take the temperature of the animal.
• Check to see if the animal is eating or drinking.
• Look at the consistency of the manure.
• Try the remedy, but if the problem persists, call a veterinarian.

5 Home Remedies for Livestock

Every farmer who owns livestock has a special remedy that he or she uses to treat their animals.  Here are a few that may be helpful to those that are new to caring for livestock.

Organic Iodine Dextrose

Coughing in horses can be due to a serious, life threatening condition called heaves.  Coughing can be brought on by dust, mold or anything that overworkds the respiratory system.  An inexpensive way to assist the horse is organic iodine.  Iodine is an anti-inflammatory and expectorant that assists in loosening phelgm, making it easier for the horse to cough.  Adding 1 tablespoon of iodine to the horse’s evening grain for 21 days will make the cough go away.  Organic Iodine Dextrose is available at many feed stores.

Aloe Vera Gel

The gel from the aloe vera leave can be used to treat skin inflammation due to insect bites, burns, cuts and scrapes, as well as hot spots.  Aloe vera can also be used to heal deep lacerated cuts (as long as stitches are not required), as it possesses anti-bacterial properties.  Additionally, if aloe gel is placed in area where the animal likes to lick itself, the animal will refrain from licking that area due to the taste of the herb.  Aloe can also be used as a laxative for dogs, however, it is advised to discuss using aloe vera internally with a veterinarian.

 Tea Tree Oil

This multipurpose extract is an anti-yeast, anti-fungal and antibacterial substance that can be used to treat minor cuts and scrapes.  It can be easily found at many health food outlets as well as larger stores such as Wal-mart,

Dry Oats

Dry oats can be given to rabbits to keep them from getting hairballs.  If rabbits get hairballs, they will not be able to regurgitate, thus causing serious complications in the animal’s health.  Oatmeal is a fiber that keeps the digestive system moving and decreases the possibility of hair collection and forming blockage.  Rabbit breeders advise to give a handful of uncooked oatmeal after they have given birth and in the spring when they begin to heavily shed.

Vitamin B12 Shots

Animals who are very frail or just born that have low energy would appreciate an injection of B12 to get their energy going.

This article is intended to offer natural alternative suggestions.  It should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary prevention, diagnosis, or treatment.  Please consult with your veterinarian before taking any home home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site.  Only your veterinarian can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your pet’s unique needs or diagnose your pet’s particular medical history.

Herbal lore has it that, while the Plague was raging in France, a rash of burglaries of plague victims’ homes was discovered. No effort was made, however, to apprehend the thieves, as it was assumed that they would soon succumb to the contagion in the homes they had robbed..

The thieves carried on their crime spree for some time, and people began to wonder why they had not become ill and die. It was then that the authorities began to pursue them… to discover the secret of their immunity to the Plague.

Once the burglars had been apprehended, they struck a bargain with the authorities, that they should be set free in exchange for revealing the secret to their immunity to the Plague.

It was then that the four thieves revealed the herbal disinfectant formula that rendered them immune to the Plague.

Current theorists suggest that this formula, now called “Four Thieves Vinegar”, may offer protection against fearsome possible threats, such as the flu, smallpox, and biological weapons, which concern us today, as all of its ingredients are either strong anti-bacterial agents, or have potent anti-viral properties.

FOUR THIEVES VINEGAR

1 part lavender, dried
1 part sage, dried
1 part thyme, dried
1 part lemon balm (melissa), dried
1 part hyssop, dried
1 part peppermint, dried
1 handful garlic cloves
Raw (unpasteurized), organic apple cider vinegar

• In a glass jar, place all dry ingredients.
• Add raw (unpasteurized), organic apple cider vinegar to cover
• Place jar in a cool place and let sit, at room temperature, for six weeks.
• Strain off herbs and garlic, and decant to a glass bottle or jar with a tight fitting lid.

HOW TO USE FOUR THIEVES VINEGAR
• Take a teaspoonful several times daily.
• Add to salads either directly or in a salad dressing.
• For personal protection, add a teaspoonful to bath water.
• Use as a topical spray for disinfecting surfaces and/or skin

ALTERNATIVE FOUR THIEVES VINEGAR
wormwood
meadowsweet
juniper berries
rosemary
camphor
sage
cinnamon
cloves
white wine vinegar

FOUR THIEVES OIL
1 part eucalyptus
1 part rosemary
1 part cinnamon
1 part clove
1 part lemon
Carrier oil (olive, jojoba, or your choice)
Mix

I put 50 drops of each oil in a 2 oz. bottle and then top it off with jojoba oil (I like jojoba oil because it seems to never go rancid).

An alternative recipe:

200 drops Clove Bud Oil
175 drops Lemon Oil
100 drops Cinnamon Oil
75 drops Eucalyptus Oil
50 drops Rosemary

Mix with jojoba oil.

APPLICATIONS:

• Apply 1-2 drops of Four Thieves on the bottoms of the feet and on the nape of the neck.
• Apply under the arms and on the chest.
• Diffuse for 20 minutes or less at work or at home.

In an article by U.S. News, four years before the recession, Arm & Hammer baking soda sales were slow at a 1% sales increase.  Now that the recession has hit full force, sales increased into the double digit numbers.

In the midst of the recession, the company ramped up advertising for Arm & Hammer products, which has helped deliver double-digit sales gains for the past 12 months.

Recently many are feeling the beginning waves of the “Crunch,” and are coming to the realization that they must make due with what they have around them.  This is nothing new to the many men and women who made it through the Great Depression.  The infamous motto that came about during that time was , “Use it up.  Wear it out.   Make do, or do without.”  In that day and age, they had to use what they had on hand, and mainly out of necessity, they found a plethora of uses for this fine white powder.  In an article at www.lifehackery.com, there is a list of 75 ways to use baking soda (Did anyone realize there were that many uses for baking soda?).

Uses of Baking Soda

1. Use it as an antacid.

2. Use it as underarm deodorant by applying it with a powder puff.

3. Mix half a teaspoon with peroxide paste and use it as toothpaste.

4. Use it as a face and body scrub.

5. Add a cup to bathwater to soften your skin.

6. Relieve skin itch from insect bites and pain from sunburn.

7. Remove strong odors from your hands by rubbing them with baking soda and water.

8. Put two tablespoons in your baby’s bathwater to help relieve diaper rash.

9. Apply it on rashes, insect bites, and poison ivy irritations.

10. Take a baking soda bath to relieve skin irritations.

11. Heartburn? Take a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with one-half glass of water.

12. Freshen your mouth by gargling half a teaspoon of baking soda mixed water.

13. Relieve canker sore pain by using it as mouthwash.

14. Use it to relieve bee stings.

15. Use it to relieve windburns.

16. Apply it on jellyfish sting to draw out the venom.

17. Unblock stuffy nose by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your vaporizer.

18. Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon to the water in the vase.

19. Put out small fires on rugs, upholstery, clothing, and wood.

20. Put an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb the odors.

21. Sprinkle it on your ashtrays to reduce bad odor and prevent smoldering.

22. Sprinkle it on your slippers, boots, shoes, and socks to eliminate foul odor.

23. Turn baking soda into modeling clay by combining it with one and 1/4 cups of water and one cup of cornstarch.

24. After feeding your baby, wipe his shirt with a moist cloth sprinkled with baking soda to remove the odor.

25. Wipe your windshield with it to repel rain.

26. Improve the smell of dishrags by soaking them in baking soda and water.

27. Suck it in with your vacuum cleaner to remove the odor.

28. Freshen the air by mixing baking soda with your favorite perfumed bath salts. Put the mixture in small sachet bags.

29. Restore stiff brushes by boiling them in a solution of 1/2 gallon of water, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and a cup of baking soda.

30. Put it under sinks and along basement windows to repel cockroaches and ants.

31. Scatter baking soda around flowerbeds to prevent rabbits from eating your veggies.

32. Sweeten your tomatoes by sprinkling baking soda on the soil around your tomato plants.

33. Sprinkle it onto your cat’s litter box to absorb the bad odor.

34. Sprinkle it on your pet’s comb or brush to deodorize their fur and skin.

In Cooking

35. Use it as a substitute for baking powder by mixing with it with cream of tartar or vinegar.

36. Wash fruits and vegetables with it.

37. When boiling a chicken, add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water. Feathers will come off easier, and the flesh will be clean and white.

38. Soak dried beans to a baking soda solution to make them more digestible.

39. Remove the distinctive taste of wild game by soaking it in a baking soda solution.

40. Make a sports drink by mixing it with boiled water, salt, and Kool-Aid.

41. Remove the fishy smell from your fillets by soaking the raw fish in a baking soda solution for an hour inside the fridge.

42. Make fluffier omelets by adding half a teaspoon of baking soda for every three eggs used.

43. Reduce the acid content of your tomato-based recipes by sprinkling them with a pinch of baking soda.

Cleaning Purposes

44. Add a cup to the toilet, leave it for an hour, and then flush. It will clean the toilet and absorb the odor.

45. Use it to scrub sinks, showers, plastic and porcelain tubs

46. Spray it on walls, mirrors, and counter tops.

47. Add a spoonful to your dishwasher to make scrubbing dishes easier.

48. Remove grease from pots and pans.

49. Dry clean carpets and upholstered furniture by sprinkling baking soda over the fabric and gently brushing it. Leave it for an hour or overnight, then vacuum.

50. Boost your laundry detergent’s cleaning power by sprinkling a handful on dirty clothes.

51. Combine it with water to make a paste for polishing stainless steel and chrome.

52. Remove scratches and crayon marks from vinyl floors and walls.

53. Clean your shoes with it.

54. Clean garbage cans with it.

55. Use it to wash diapers.

56. Clean the fridge with it.

57. Soak brushes and combs in a baking soda solution.

58. Mix it with water to wash food and drink containers.

59. Put three tablespoons of baking soda to a quart of warm water, then use the mixture to wash marble-topped furniture.

60. Absorb it with a damp sponge, then clean Formica counter tops with the sponge.

61. Use it to get rid of stale odors from cooling containers and thermos bottles.

62. Run your coffee maker with a baking soda solution, then rinse.

63. Combine with hot water to clean baby bottles.

64. Sprinkle it on barbecue grills, then rinse it off.

65. Scatter it on your greasy garage floor, scrub the floor, and rinse.

66. Remove burned-on food from a pan by soaking it in a baking soda solution for 10 minutes before washing.

67. Clean your ashtrays with a baking soda solution.

68. Keep your drains clean by putting four tablespoons of baking soda in them each week. Flush it down with hot water.

69. Clean your shower curtains by soaking them in baking soda and water.

70. Put it on a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.

71. Use it to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from a toaster. Sprinkle baking soda on a damp rug, then use the rug to clean the toaster.

72. Use it to clean your retainers and dentures.

73. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water, and used it to scrub enameled cast iron and stainless steel.

74. Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with a quart of warm water, and use it to clean the inside part of an oven.

75. Use it to unclog gas stoves.

 Source – www.lifehackery.com

It is quite obvious that baking soda has been modest in displaying it’s many uses to us.  Since this product is quite inexpensive, stocking up on it will not be a large dent in your budget.  With the harder times to come, this product is literally an all-in-one product to have on hand.  Make sure this list of baking soda uses goes into your G.O.O.D Survival Manuals so that you can refere back to them when need be.  Go to the Arm & Hammer website and sign up for free coupons for Arm & Hammer products.

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