I’m delighted by things that are inexpensive, easy to use and efficient. Baking soda ticks all these boxes and more, and one large bag from Costco will last a long time. Of course it’s used in baking, but it’s also great for cleaning your home. I use it to scour sinks and toilets, occasionally adding a couple drops of lemon essential oil.

From cleaning my home I moved on to cleaning me. For about 8 years now I’ve been using it to wash my hair, brush my teeth, and exfoliate my face. I’ve recently begun using it for deodorant as well.

To wash your hair, put 1 tablespoon baking soda in a glass jar, then add about a cup of water from the shower spray and swirl it around until it dissolves. Pour it over your head while massaging your scalp. Although it doesn’t lather, it does a great job of cleaning. To condition hair, mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of shower water in another jar, then pour it over your hair. Wait a few seconds then rinse. Money saved, landfill reduced, no sketchy ingredients.

I should mention that baking soda as shampoo doesn’t work if you have hard water.

For brushing your teeth, you can use straight baking soda stored in a tiny jar. I’m used to the salty flavor, but some people add peppermint essential oil to a jar of it, then shake it up. My dentist says my teeth are fine, it’s not too abrasive. Once again, money saved, landfill reduced, no sketchy ingredients.

To use as an exfoliant, put a teaspoon of baking soda in the palm of your hand, then mix with a little water. Massage it gently on your face then use any remainder to scrub your hands. It rinses off easily.

There are many recipes out there for homemade deodorant, but I just dip a couple fingers into the baking soda and gently apply it to my underarms. It seems to be working, no complaints from friends and family so far.