Baking soda. Possibly one of the most underrated supplies in the kitchen, unless, of course, you’re on the green side or are too retro for your own good. Those of you looking to scrimp on your monthly expenditures would do well to add an econ-O size of this bad girl to your stash!

Ok, so it’s added to everything from Arm-N-Hammer detergent (of course) and deodorant to tooth paste to whatever. Great. Did you know you could use pure baking soda under your arms as deodorant? That’s right! In the old days, people used cornstarch, so we decided to try baking soda. Those of you that have body chemistry that clashes with the scented deodorants would do well to try this trick. You will smell like…nothing! That’s right. Nothing. At $1 a box, baking soda as deodorant will last you, I don’t know, a year? We put ours in a talcum tub we got at Walgreens because it was kitschy pink plastic with a puff on top for easy application. No more stains on your clothes (literally brush off boo-boos), no piling (like in a sweater), no funky odor. Downside: you’ll still sweat. But then again, that’s natural. At least you won’t stink. (Baking soda works best after a shower, friends, it’s not as effective when you’ve skipped.) When applied with a puff, it’s easier than that crystal thing.

Baking soda is great when used as a dentrifice or in addition to your Toms of Maine or Jason toothpaste. We sometimes swish a little with water in our mouth to neutralize any funky breath. Not that we ever get any, mind you. Just as a precaution. Yeah.

Add baking soda to your laundry detergent for particularly fresh clothes, or, add it to your Simple Green when you’re scrubbing the tub or counters. It’s great for gentle abrasion and removing soap scum. One of us (me, that is; I felt like naming names today) scrubs her entire tub with this luscious stuff. It gets the tub spic and span; perfect for company–even the kind that descends like a vulture.

Baking soda can neutralize red irritation due to too much exfoliation. Mix it with some water, splash it on, rinse it off. Don’t leave it sitting there, as it may dry you out. Baking Soda’s great for returning skin to Ph.

Keep it by your stove or oven in case it catches on fire. We once saved our house from burning down this way. When our oven caught fire once, we didn’t even flinch or worry. We calmly looked for the Baking soda, and the crisis was averted. Toss it especially on a grease fire. NEVER use water on a grease fire.

Sprinkle it on your carpets if they get funky. Let it sit for awhile to work it’s magic. (Not sure if your carpet can handle BS–spot test first. We’ve never had trouble with it, but we don’t want YOU to have trouble in the form of annoyed roomies!) Simply vaccuum it up and voila–scent disappears.

We have a friend that uses it as an exfoliant mixed with her face wash. We don’t like using physical abrasives on our face (preferring strictly chemical, to avoid broken capillaries), but she swears by it. So, if you like a scrubby scrub, this is a good one. It’s not super abrasive, as it’s very fine and rinses easily.

Next time: Epsom Salts. Your new Best Friend.