Bim and I were married in October 5, 1991. But a couple of days back, a group of church friends gave us a bridal shower with a different twist called: Handy Andy/Handy Hannah. Believe it or not, in some places friends and families have opted to forgo the stag/bachelorette parties simply because they are opting for more practical things. Hardware stores are gold mines of widgets and gadgets that everyone always needs and never gets as wedding gift. This is the simplest of showers since the type of things one buy are scissors , batteries, lamps, flashlights, brooms, hammers, nails, laundry clips. You get the idea? For me, it was the most practical of all bridal showers I have ever imagined. Each of our guest brought a gift with the hardware logo on it and tied with a pretty ribbon. Each one gave helpful suggestions written on a 3 x 5 card.One of my favorite of all best gifts we received that day was a book titled: 1001 Helpful Household Helps. I got tons of super great ideas on housekeeping and tips from that handy book. And one of them is the many uses of Bicarbonate of Soda.
Here are its many, many uses:
* Clean a microwave oven: Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse.
* Remove tarnish from silver: Mix a thick paste of Bicarbonate of Soda with water; apply the silver with a damp sponge, rub, rinse, and buff dry.
* Clean a stainless steel sink: Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub the sink, and rinse clean.
* Boost the strength of liquid laundry detergent: Add one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda with the usual amount of detergent in your regular wash cycle.
* Clean a fibreglass bathtub or shower. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse clean.
* Clean bathroom tile: Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse clean.
* Maintain your septic tank: Flush one cup Bicarbonate of Soda down the toilet once a week. Bicarbonate of Soda helps maintain proper pH and alkalinity, controlling sulphide odours.
* Deodorize cloth diapers. Mix one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda in two quarts of water, and soak diapers in the solution.
* Clean a refrigerator: Sprinkle on Bicarbonate of Soda a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse clean.
* Deodorize a dishwasher: Sprinkle one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda on the bottom of the dishwasher between loads.
* Boost the strength of dishwashing liquid. Add two full tablespoons Bicarbonate of Soda to the usual amount of detergent you use.
* Remove burnt-on food from cookware. Dampen area, sprinkle with Bicarbonate of Soda let soak overnight, then scrub with a sponge, rinse, and dry.
* Clean and deodorize a cutting board. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, rub the cutting board, and rinse clean.
* Deodorize food containers. Mix one-quarter cup Bicarbonate of Soda with one quart water, swish food containers in solution, soak overnight, and then rinse clean.
* Clean coffee and teapots. Wash in a solution of one-quarter cup Bicarbonate of Soda and one-quart warm water, then rinse clean.
* Deodorize kitchen garbage. Sprinkle a handful of Bicarbonate of Soda in the garbage pail each time you add garbage.
* Deodorize carpet. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda lightly over the dry carpet, let sit for fifteen minutes, then vacuum up.
* Deodorize a cat litter box. Cover the bottom of the litter box with one-quarter inch Bicarbonate of Soda then add the litter.
* Soothe poison ivy rash or insect bites. Make a paste of Bicarbonate of Soda and water, and apply to the affected area.
* Soothe sunburn, windburn, and prickly heat. Dissolve one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda in a tepid bath. Soak in the bath for fifteen minutes.
* Take a refreshing bath. Dissolve one-half cup in Bicarbonate of Soda a tub of warm water for soft, smooth-feeling skin and a relaxing bath.
* Brush your teeth. Plain baking soda is a gentle abrasive that cleans like the strongest toothpaste. Apply Bicarbonate of Soda to a damp toothbrush, brush as usual, and rinse.
* Wash your mouth. Add one teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda to one-half glass warm water, and swish through teeth for a refreshing mouthwash.
* Neutralize vomit odour. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda generously to cover the stained area, let sit for an hour, then vacuum up.
* Soothe tired feet. Add three tablespoons Bicarbonate of Soda to a basin of warm water and soak feet in the solution.
* Use as a deodorant. Dust Bicarbonate of Soda under arms.Clean dirt, grime, and scuffmarks from doors, stoves, laminated tabletops, linoleum floors, and tile.Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, wipe clean, and dry.
* Remove coffee or tea stains from china. Dip a damp cloth in Bicarbonate of Soda gently rub the china, and rinse clean.
* Minimize the smell of dirty laundry. Sprinkle some Bicarbonate of Soda into your hamper or laundry bag.
* Deodorize a closet. Place an open box of Bicarbonate of Soda on a shelf.
* Deodorize garment storage bags. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda into the bottom of the bag.
* Deodorize shoes or training shoes. In the evening, sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda inside shoes to eliminate odours. Shake out in the morning.
* Remove crayon marks from walls or wallpaper. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub gently to avoid mussing the paint or wallpaper, then wipeclean.
* Clean dirt and grime from hands. Sprinkle on Bicarbonate of Soda to wet hands with liquid soap, rub vigorously, rinse, and dry.
* Remove conditioner and styling gel build-up from hair. Wash hair once a week with a tablespoon of Bicarbonate of Soda mixed with your regular shampoo; rinse thoroughly, then condition and style as usual.
* Refresh stuffed animals. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the stuffed animal, let sit for fifteen minutes, then brush off.
*Clean high chairs, car seats, strollers, and plastic mattress protectors. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, wipe clean, and dry.
* Clean baby bottles, nipples, and bottle brushes. Soak in a solution of warmwater and Bicarbonate of Soda , then sterilize before use.
* Whiten socks and dirty clothes. Add one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda to regular liquid laundry detergent.
* Clean chrome bumpers and hubcaps. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, rub surface, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
* Remove dead insects from a car or truck windshield. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, clean glass, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
* Deodorize carpeting in a car. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the carpet,let sit for fifteen minutes, then vacuum up.
* De-grease and clean barbecue grills. Make a paste by mixing equal parts Bicarbonate of Soda and water, apply with a wire brush, wipe clean, and dry with a cloth.
* Remove tarnish from silver: Mix a thick paste of Bicarbonate of Soda with water; apply the silver with a damp sponge, rub, rinse, and buff dry.
* Clean a stainless steel sink: Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub the sink, and rinse clean.
* Boost the strength of liquid laundry detergent: Add one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda with the usual amount of detergent in your regular wash cycle.
* Clean a fibreglass bathtub or shower. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse clean.
* Clean bathroom tile: Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse clean.
* Maintain your septic tank: Flush one cup Bicarbonate of Soda down the toilet once a week. Bicarbonate of Soda helps maintain proper pH and alkalinity, controlling sulphide odours.
* Deodorize cloth diapers. Mix one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda in two quarts of water, and soak diapers in the solution.
* Clean a refrigerator: Sprinkle on Bicarbonate of Soda a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse clean.
* Deodorize a dishwasher: Sprinkle one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda on the bottom of the dishwasher between loads.
* Boost the strength of dishwashing liquid. Add two full tablespoons Bicarbonate of Soda to the usual amount of detergent you use.
* Remove burnt-on food from cookware. Dampen area, sprinkle with Bicarbonate of Soda let soak overnight, then scrub with a sponge, rinse, and dry.
* Clean and deodorize a cutting board. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, rub the cutting board, and rinse clean.
* Deodorize food containers. Mix one-quarter cup Bicarbonate of Soda with one quart water, swish food containers in solution, soak overnight, and then rinse clean.
* Clean coffee and teapots. Wash in a solution of one-quarter cup Bicarbonate of Soda and one-quart warm water, then rinse clean.
* Deodorize kitchen garbage. Sprinkle a handful of Bicarbonate of Soda in the garbage pail each time you add garbage.
* Deodorize carpet. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda lightly over the dry carpet, let sit for fifteen minutes, then vacuum up.
* Deodorize a cat litter box. Cover the bottom of the litter box with one-quarter inch Bicarbonate of Soda then add the litter.
* Soothe poison ivy rash or insect bites. Make a paste of Bicarbonate of Soda and water, and apply to the affected area.
* Soothe sunburn, windburn, and prickly heat. Dissolve one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda in a tepid bath. Soak in the bath for fifteen minutes.
* Take a refreshing bath. Dissolve one-half cup in Bicarbonate of Soda a tub of warm water for soft, smooth-feeling skin and a relaxing bath.
* Brush your teeth. Plain baking soda is a gentle abrasive that cleans like the strongest toothpaste. Apply Bicarbonate of Soda to a damp toothbrush, brush as usual, and rinse.
* Wash your mouth. Add one teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda to one-half glass warm water, and swish through teeth for a refreshing mouthwash.
* Neutralize vomit odour. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda generously to cover the stained area, let sit for an hour, then vacuum up.
* Soothe tired feet. Add three tablespoons Bicarbonate of Soda to a basin of warm water and soak feet in the solution.
* Use as a deodorant. Dust Bicarbonate of Soda under arms.Clean dirt, grime, and scuffmarks from doors, stoves, laminated tabletops, linoleum floors, and tile.Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, wipe clean, and dry.
* Remove coffee or tea stains from china. Dip a damp cloth in Bicarbonate of Soda gently rub the china, and rinse clean.
* Minimize the smell of dirty laundry. Sprinkle some Bicarbonate of Soda into your hamper or laundry bag.
* Deodorize a closet. Place an open box of Bicarbonate of Soda on a shelf.
* Deodorize garment storage bags. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda into the bottom of the bag.
* Deodorize shoes or training shoes. In the evening, sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda inside shoes to eliminate odours. Shake out in the morning.
* Remove crayon marks from walls or wallpaper. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub gently to avoid mussing the paint or wallpaper, then wipeclean.
* Clean dirt and grime from hands. Sprinkle on Bicarbonate of Soda to wet hands with liquid soap, rub vigorously, rinse, and dry.
* Remove conditioner and styling gel build-up from hair. Wash hair once a week with a tablespoon of Bicarbonate of Soda mixed with your regular shampoo; rinse thoroughly, then condition and style as usual.
* Refresh stuffed animals. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the stuffed animal, let sit for fifteen minutes, then brush off.
*Clean high chairs, car seats, strollers, and plastic mattress protectors. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, wipe clean, and dry.
* Clean baby bottles, nipples, and bottle brushes. Soak in a solution of warmwater and Bicarbonate of Soda , then sterilize before use.
* Whiten socks and dirty clothes. Add one-half cup Bicarbonate of Soda to regular liquid laundry detergent.
* Clean chrome bumpers and hubcaps. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, rub surface, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
* Remove dead insects from a car or truck windshield. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, clean glass, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.
* Deodorize carpeting in a car. Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the carpet,let sit for fifteen minutes, then vacuum up.
* De-grease and clean barbecue grills. Make a paste by mixing equal parts Bicarbonate of Soda and water, apply with a wire brush, wipe clean, and dry with a cloth.
In a pot, warm up the vinegar. Pour in the blended mixture into sterilized bottles (usually long neck) using a funnel, then add in the warmed vinegar (use the not so aged vinegar so you can cure it with the mixture for several months---- i discovered that it tastes better this way) until half way of the prepared bottle. Drop in the cayenne (finger chilis and a spoonful of peppercorns). Add some more vinegar until almost filled to the rim.
