Nature's Alternative: 70 Uses For Baking Soda

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Country Lore

Garden and Garage

1.Make a non-toxic fungicide. Mix a solution of four teaspoons baking soda and one gallon of water. Spray on grapes and vines when fruit first appears. Spray once a week for two months, and after each rain. Can also be used on rosebushes against black spot fungus.

2. Rejuvenate the greenery. Mix together one teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon clear ammonia and one teaspoon Epsom salt in a gallon of water. Use about a quart of the solution on each rosebush-size shrub that's lost its luster.

3. Control cookout flames. Mix a solution of one teaspoon baking soda and one pint of water in a plastic spray bottle. When fire gets too high, spray at the base of the flames.

4. Clean patio furniture. Wash with solution of 1/2 cup baking soda, one tablespoon dishwashing liquid, and one gallon of hot water. Rinse and dry.

5. Remove oil stains from garage floors. Wet the area and scour with baking soda and a scrub brush.

6. Fix a badbattery connection. Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water and brush onto corroded battery posts and cable connectors. Rinse and dry. Coat with petroleum jelly to keep terminals trouble-free.

7. Sweeten the RV's water tank. Protect against rancid taste by filling reservoir with a solution of one cup baking soda per gallon of warm water. Drain and fill with plain water. Drain again. Fill with water for trip.

8. Clean tree sap off a car. Rub with baking soda on a damp sponge.

9.Keep windshields streak-free. Scrub dirty wipers with baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge.

10. Brighten the headlights. Scour dirt, salt, and bugs off with baking soda on a damp sponge.

11. Remove bugs and road splatters from windshields. Sponge off with baking soda. Won't scratch.

12. Extinguish cigarette odor. Sprinkle baking soda into the ashtray.

13. Freshen the floor mats. Clean with a baking soda solution. Sprinkle on dry for tough spots and scrub with brush. Rinse well.

14.Spruce up the fishing gear. Use baking soda solution to clean rods, lines, hooks, and buckets. Won't pollute rivers and lakes.

15. Clean the golf irons. With a brush, apply a baking soda solution over the club.

16.Remove gardening grime from hands. Rub baking soda on wet hands. Rinse.

17. Make an ash metal polish. I'll Mix four tablespoons baking soda with two cups of wood ashes from a fireplace or woodstove. Add a small portion to just enough water to make a paste. With a damp sponge, rub onto stainless steel, chrome, silver, or gold plating. Rinse and dry.