Bi-carb Soda as a Deodorant

“A `pinch' of Bi-carb Soda rubbed under each armpit is the BEST deodorant I have ever used. You can sweat like the proverbial pig all day long and never raise a pong.”

http://www2b.abc.net.au/science/k2/stn/archives/archive91/newposts/1676/topic1676043.shtm

“Deodorant – use bicarb-soda, either in powder form or as a spray-on solution.”

http://www.quolkids.com/information/earthcare/articles/friendly_cleaning_products.htm

“Regular sprinking of a small amount of bicarb into your trainers will keep

your shoes smelling neutral. Especially good in ‘organic’ fabric shoes eg. leather.”

– Karen

More tips from Karen .....

Oven Cleaner

(also good for unblocking sinks)

Pile on soda bicarbonate enough to cover grotty bits

Tip over white vinegar (lots of fun to watch it froth up)

When its stop fizzing, tip over a little boiling water

Wipe off or use a light scourer

Repeat process if necessary

I got the following recipes from the David Suzuki Foundation:

Laundry Liquid

- preparation time: 10 mins - cost: a fraction of the commercial stuff

Half cup washing soda (can get it in Coles bottom shelf) ***

One cup soap flakes or grated bar soap (I use Lux flakes for convenience - comes in a cardboard box, no plastic)

7.5 litres water

Half cup borax (optional - my mixture works fine without it - borax is a herbicide so caution needed if using grey water in the garden)

20 drops essential oil (optional - more economical to use 1 drop of essential oil in fabric after its dried on the line)

Obviously, you can halve the above quantities to make about 4L of laundry liquid which is what I do

Combine borax (if you must), washing soda and most of the water. The hardest bit is getting the washing soda to dissolve.

Boil soap flakes in remaining water (bar soap can be melted in a microwave, I'm told, but I haven't tried it)

Mix the 2 mixtures (add the essential oil as it cools)

It will become a jellyish on cooling.

Use about half a cup per load (I dissolve it in boiling water before adding to machine).

Washing tip - for whites use very warm water, interrupt the washing cycle and soak overnight

*** washing soda is "soda carbonate" - it softens water which enables the soap to work better [go to wikapaedia for definition of "softens"]

*** question for our scientists - what is the difference between "soda carbonate" and "soda bicarbonate" ? [the answer is not "bi"]

Fabric Softener

1 cup of white vinegar

Add to rinse cycle