Survival Uses for Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate has a slightly salty, alkaline taste and in its natural mineral form, it is called nahcolite. It is a component of the mineral natron and is found dissolved in many mineral springs. It is often called baking soda, bread soda, cooking soda and bicarbonate of soda.
Sodium bicarbonate helps to regulate pH in other words; substances would be neither too acidic nor too alkaline.
Personal/Medical Uses in a Survival Situation
1.) Rehydration drink for survival situations or for those that may be sick and would need electrolytes, glucose and sodium added back into the body. This is considered an effective rehydration method.
The recipe below is for informational purposes only, and should only be used when other methods of replenishing the body with electrolytes is not available. You can of course add your own flavorings while keeping in the intended purpose of the recipe in mind.
Measure all ingredients exactly because variations can make the drink less effective or even harmful, because of sodium and sugar levels. To make mix the following ingredients together
- 1-quart (950 mL) water
- ½-teaspoon (2.5 g) baking soda
- ½-teaspoon (2.5 g) table salt
- ¼-teaspoon (1.25 g) salt substitute (potassium-based) Morton Salt Substitute would be one for example
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) sugar
2.) Use as deodorant by patting under the arms to help neutralize odors and also sprinkle some inside of shoes and even inside of your socks to help control odor.
3.) Mix a teaspoon with a glass of water and rinse to freshen breath. The baking soda does not cover up odors it helps eliminate the cause of the odors.
4.) Sprinkle some on your toothbrush or mix with hydrogen peroxide to help remove stains and plaque from the teeth and bacteria from the mouth, (do not swallow the mixture).You can use alone or with your regular toothpaste. It can be used as an alternative to toothpaste, and of course, it does not contain fluoride.
5.) Baking soda can relieve stomach upset due to excessive stomach acid. Refer to the packaging for mixing instructions but typically, it is one teaspoon mixed with a full glass of cold water.
It is not recommended that you treat yourself using this method immediately after a heavy meal. Baking soda is considered an antacid and it helps neutralize digestive acid in the stomach.
6.) A paste made of baking soda and water can be used to treat insect bites and to help with the discomfort of poison ivy and will help with other skin reactions to plants as well. To help with itchy skin apply the powder directly to the skin after bathing.
7.) In Ancient times natron was used as a cleaning agent for the body and for anything else, that needed cleaning. Use baking soda to help remove dirt and stains from the hand and body by making a paste with water. For stubborn stains on the hands and body, mix with less water and for a more gentle lotion use more water.
8.) To freshen camp bedding sprinkle baking soda on to the bedding and let set for 15 minutes then shake the blankets or sleeping bags well to dislodge the baking soda.
9.) Use to deodorize pet bedding by dusting the bedding well and then let set for 15 to 20 minutes. Shake well to remove the baking soda.
Camp Kitchen
10.) Sprinkle baking soda directly on cooking utensils and scrub with a damp cloth or sponge, baking soda is mildly abrasive but generally will not scratch surfaces.
11.) Use to smother fires by tossing on the base of the fire. Be careful not to splash hot oil if you have to smother a grease fire. Stand back as far as possible when smoothing fires.
12.) Use to absorb odor in coolers and portable refrigerators. You can purchase boxes specifically to control refrigerator odor otherwise place a small open container filled with the soda inside the cooler or refrigerator and keep the lid or door closed. Sprinkle the soda in trash bags, garbage pits, and latrines.
13.) Use a half of a cup in your laundry tub to help balance the pH levels, which will help your laundry detergent to work more efficiently.
14.) Use to scrub fruits and vegetables by applying directly on the food or by making paste using clean water. The scrubbing action will remove contaminates from fruits and vegetables. Friction will dislodge bacteria, but a clean water rinse is needed to complete the removal.
15.) Last one and possibly the most import one. Use baking soda to help you brew a better pot of camp coffee. Sprinkle a small amount over the coffee grounds before percolating the coffee. This will help reduce the acid taste, of over percolated coffee.