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This week has not been the greatest, as the whole family caught a rather virulent bug. On the bright side, I was not tempted to shop whatsoever. To be honest, I was not tempted to write either, but luckily, guest writer sj is here to save the day!
Always interested in exploring cheap, environmentally friendly ways to keep clean, I have been investigating some "natural cleaning products". My friend sj kindly guided me through the discovery of some convenient alternatives. Today, she will introduce us to...
... The Magic and Wonders of Baking Soda!
Simply
put, baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is amazing. I am a proud baking soda
addict. It never ceases to amaze me and I use it for everything - from
deodorant to shampoo, and for all my household cleaning. Today, I am going to
give you fine readers the inside on scoop on what is so wondrous about this
versatile white powder. I will also delve into the industrial production of
baking soda.
Cleaning Everything
Nothing
cleans a bathtub (and sink, and floor, etc.) as effectively as baking soda - it
cuts through soap scum and grim that you didn’t even realize was there. Your
bathtub is supposed to be a glowing bright white, but if you’re not using
baking soda, there is a good chance it’s closer to off-white, and you’ve come
to believe it's normal. To help your bathtub release its true shine, just
sprinkle baking soda on the dry bathtub and use a damp cloth to scrub. You’ll
be amazed at what happens.
What’s
even more amazing is what baking soda does to your armpits. Deodorant is my
favorite use of baking soda. Applying dry baking soda powder on your underarms
(with your fingers or a cosmetic brush) prevents all odor. You can add a couple
drops of essential oil (lavender, for example) to your homemade deodorant jar.
Using baking soda this way may make a little bit of a mess - you should do it
over the sink or bathtub and you may end up with baking soda particles all down
your side, but it is well worth it. Even after a hard run, there isn’t even a
hint of odor. It is magical - and no questionable chemicals!
I
also wash my hair with it, which is becoming a common trend. Just take a couple
heaping table spoons or a handful and make a thick paste with water. Start
massaging it into the roots of your hair - really give your head a good scrub
and cover every inch of your scalp. After this nice brain massage, let it sit
for about a minute and then rinse (using cooler water, which is better for your
hair). Your hair may feel a bit funny while it is still wet, but it will dry
clean and fantastic. I have been doing this for over three years - my hair
became healthy, curlier, shinier and stronger. If your hair is long, you can
use apple cider vinegar as “conditioner”.
Another
useful tip: if you quickly apply a baking soda and water paste to a bee, hornet
or wasp sting, the soda will neutralize the acid injected by the sting and stop
all pain. It can even be used on canker sores and mouth ulcers.
Sadly, brushing your teeth with baking soda is not so simple, as the powder is too abrasive for the tooth enamel. Other than that, I seriously believe baking soda is wonderful. I highly recommend you try it! Although, I have discovered a little bit of a dark side...
Mother Nature's take on it
As a self-proclaimed environmentalist, I am
concerned with the production of goods, and unfortunately, the picture doesn’t
stay as clean as I was hoping when it comes to baking soda. Most products have
at least some impact on the environment, and baking soda is no exception.
Please keep in mind, however, that baking soda is definitely not the “dirtiest”
of available products.
To
produce sodium bicarbonate, soda ash (its primary ingredient) must be acquired.
In North America, soda ash is mined in the form of trona (a mineral). Trona is
then mixed with water and carbon dioxide (great use of an abundant pollutant!)
to make baking soda. Soda ash is also used to make many other products - glass,
fiber glass, textiles, detergent and paper. It’s a pretty useful and widespread
resource. The largest mine in the world is in Wyoming and produces 90% of
America’s soda ash. There is such an abundance that this mine will not run out
of trona for at least another 2000 years.
In
regards to this information, there is nothing “wrong” specifically with the
trona mining industry. However, trona mines do share the problems every mine
has: mining and related processes release lots of pollutants into the
atmosphere and generally cause environmental devastation to the surrounding
area. The trona mine in Wyoming is a major contributor to air pollution in the
state, and the mine does not monitor their emissions, which is cause for
concern.
But making baking soda is currently going through some positive and exciting changes! A new technology was put to test in 2014 - carbon dioxide emission from industrial factories can now be directly turned into baking soda. Let's hope this method takes over in the next couple years!
In conclusion
I
believe baking soda is a much better choice than other cleaning and cosmetic
products in terms of personal health, cost and simplicity, even if it's not
perfect from an environmental point of view. Nothing really is, and at least is
it made in North America, so it has a lower carbon footprint. The production of
baking soda is still better than the production of more complicated cleaners,
soaps, detergents, antiperspirants, etc., in which baking soda is just one
ingredient. So, is baking soda a good sustainable choice or a lesser of evils?
I am not sure, but I am still vouching for it, and I really think you should
try it - and stock up before the apocalypse! (hehe)
sj
sj
__________________________________________
WEEK 5 IN REVIEW
Temptations
Very few temptations this week. Too sick. I did buy some Advil, and it was definitely a need. I also had to replace the ink cartridges in my printer. This is for work (hence a need), but I have decided to look more closely at my ink and paper consumption in the coming weeks.
Very few temptations this week. Too sick. I did buy some Advil, and it was definitely a need. I also had to replace the ink cartridges in my printer. This is for work (hence a need), but I have decided to look more closely at my ink and paper consumption in the coming weeks.
Donations
Too sick to do any cleanup. I will catch up next week.
Observations
Because I was sick, I watched more TV than usual (which is not hard, as my usual is to not watch any TV at all). I am appalled at all the advertising. Apparently, your life will be wonderful if you make sure your appearance is flawless, your car shiny, and your food... unhealthy. Has your brain melted yet? Only a couple hours in front of the screen and I already feel like I've lost some IQ points. But maybe that's from being sick.
Cogitations
Are you tired of hearing me mention my sickness yet? I am. Which is why I will turn off the computer right now, and go get some rest.
What did
you resist this week? Did you donate or get rid of anything? How did that make
you feel? Please comment below! And...
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