I admit it.  I’m chemically dependent; I can’t imagine life without sodium bicarbonate– in layman’s terms, baking soda, or soda, for these purposes. As of late, soda is basking in a Heloise comeback. Internet and magazine articles site its economical widespread benefits as often as they use the word eco-friendly, with good reason. It’s an all-in-one, magic-miracle, powder used in health, home, cooking, pest control, and cleaning applications; a product that will save you money, a lot of money, when you look at all the products it replaces. 
I requested my hairstylist treat my hair for product build-up. She put a dollop of clarifying shampoo in her hand and retreated to the backroom to add a little baking soda to it. Sure enough, my hair shines like a 2013 copper penny; if need be, I use it as a dry shampoo. A good dusting freshens our little Biscuit dog, as well as the carpet she rolls around on playing with her hedgehog. I use it religiously on grease spotted fabrics. Before treating the fabric with spot remover, I generously dust the spot with baking soda, let it sit to absorb the oil, vacuum off, and continue treatment. The same treatment can be used for pet mishaps. These few examples are but powder particles in the endless list of soda uses. Let’s take a look at a day in the life of HCO3 dependency.
Rise and shine, clean the coffee maker by running a pot of soda and water through it, rinse and put the morning pot on. After a vigorous morning run/workout, sprinkle soda into athletic shoes to freshen and deodorize. Call and invite family or friends to dinner; it’s always a good incentive to clean the house. Take stock of the soda arsenal; it comes in a variety of sizes and user-friendly packaging: 1lb. boxes, mesh-sided (spill-proof) boxes, plastic shaker, solid refrigerator filter disc, and a 13.5 lb. bag of soda powder. Grab what you need and begin deodorizing and cleaning. Place spill-proof boxes in the pantry, linen, and wardrobe, closets to deodorize. Head to the bathrooms…
Use a soda shaker, water, and sponge, to remove shower and bathtub soap scum, as well as, clean the diaper pail, lavatory, countertops, marble, and ceramic tile. Head to the kitchen…
Polish up the silver flatware by placing a piece of aluminum foil, tablespoon of soda, and liter of water in a stock-pot, bring to a boil and drop in flatware for 10 seconds, longer if heavily tarnished. Shake soda on a wet sponge to remove handprints and smudges from stainless steel appliances. Spoon four tablespoons down the drain; weekly doses keeps water flowing, and clogs to a minimum. Head to the laundry…
To enhance cleaning power, add a 1/2 cup to heavily soiled loads of clothes. Sprinkle soda in the litter box to absorb odors. Head outdoors…

Position a handy solid refrigerator filter disc under the seat of the car, to keep it odor free. Sprinkle some in the garden to deter rabbits from decimating the veggies. Cut flowers for the dining room table; add a teaspoon of soda to the posy water, and enjoy flowers days after the party. Treat the insect bite with soda paste to relive itching. Head back to the kitchen…
Make a quick bread using soda as the leavening agent. Add a pinch of the miracle powder to eggs, for a fluffier omelet, and to tomato-based entrees, to lower the acidity; another pinch added to a gallon of tea will eliminate cloudiness. Dust wet produce with it and rub to remove wax and dirt. Place a soda refrigerator filter disc in the refrigerator to neutralize odoriferous party leftovers. Don’t fret over baked-on party foods; they can be cleaned up easily after a 15-minute soak in a hot water and soda solution. Prepare 1/2 teaspoon soda dissolved in a 1/2 glass of water as an anti-acid for over-indulgence unless restricted by a doctor or medication. Bedtime…
Dissolve a cup in bath water and soak winter alligator skin into newborn epidermis. While soaking, add a little water to soda in the palm of your hand and exfoliate face, elbows and heels, rinse well, towel dry. Add a smidgen to toothpaste and polish teeth; now smile. 
You think you’re exhausted… I had to write it. Goodnight and sleep tight on soda fresh linens.

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Tips are culled from personal experience, magazine articles, Internet sources, and the Arm & Hammer website: http://www.armandhammer.com

Printed in the March 7, 2013 edition