Household products are expensive and can be full of dangerous, mysterious chemicals. When you are able to substitute ordinary items as simple solutions that are cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly, baking powder and lemon juice are two of the first ingredients that should come to mind. Individually, they have many helpful uses; together they react to produce carbon dioxide, which can be a powerful household helper in multiple ways. Use caution when trying any of these remedies.
Teeth Whitening
Dr. Mehmet Oz, professor of surgery at Columbia University, hosted a segment on his show, "The Dr. Oz Show," regarding teeth-whitening products. He mentions commercial teeth whiteners can strip the enamel from your teeth and proceeds to demonstrate how to concoct your own teeth-whitening paste at home. Take a few tablespoons of baking powder and add the juice of half a lemon until the mixture bubbles up. Use cotton swabs or cotton balls to paint onto your teeth. Let it sit for one minute, then brush your teeth as normal. Do not allow the mixture to stand on your teeth much longer, as this will start to erode the enamel. Try this remedy with caution.
Deoderant
Commercial deodorants often contain aluminum, which is linked to Alzheimer's, though more research is needed to confirm it as a risk factor. To avoid the use of aluminum and other possibly hazardous chemicals, make your own odor-neutralizer. Shake baking soda into the palm of your hand and pat it onto your armpit. Baking soda naturally stops sour-smell-producing acids. Next, sprinkle lemon juice over the baking soda to balance your pH levels while smelling clean and fresh. Use caution when trying this remedy.
Digestion Aid
Your liver, kidneys and skin naturally remove toxins from your body and eliminate waste, according to MayoClinic.com, but many people feel that their digestive tracts need additional help. The juice of one lemon or more per day provides digestive aid, according to Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman, author of "The Fat Flush Diet." Additionally, it is recommended to take 1 tsp. of baking powder mixed with 8 oz. water every two hours to "alkalinize your system," says Rebecca Wood, author of the award-winning book, "The Splendid Grain." Check with your doctor to be sure baking soda, also called sodium bicarbonate, is safe for you.
Cleaning Ideas
Separately, baking soda and lemons both offer useful household cleaning options such as using baking soda to eliminate odors in your refrigerator or using lemon dipped in salt to clean copper. However, combine the two and the bubbly paste you create is a mixture that will clean your greasy oven window. Wipe it on, let it set for 10 minutes, then rinse it off with water.
References
- Doctor Oz: Naturally White Teeth, Part Two
- Mrs. Clean: Removing Deodorant Stains
- Alzheimer's Society: Aluminium and Alzheimer's Disease
- R. Wood: Detox Diet
- "The Fat Flush Foods"; Ann Louise Gettleman, MS, CNS,; 2004
- MayoClinic.com; Detox Diets: Do They Work?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; April 2010
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