Gransnet forums

Chat

Soda bicarbonate

(33 Posts)
HelterSkelter1 Mon 12-Jan-26 13:46:05

Isn't this a wonderful product? So cheap and easily available. And so many uses.

I have just wiped my sore, dry eyes and eyelids with 1/2 teaspoon in a 1/2 pint of boiled cooled water. I used cotton wool balls and now my eyes and lids feel so fresh and clean. My current optician recommended buying eye wipes...which stung and left my eyes and lids sore. A previous optician recommended diluted baby shampoo which was better, but soda bicarb is the best.
Other uses I have read recently on GN is drinking in plenty of water for UTIs and spreading over a mattress to leave and then vacuum up to get rid of smells.
Any simple products you have on hand for many uses? I also use white vinegar for all sorts of cleaning...but not my eyes of course!!

LadyGaGa Mon 12-Jan-26 13:50:55

My mum and dad used to use it for heartburn. I can remember them settling down after tea and my mum getting the ‘bi carb’. My dad usually asked for a another ‘tip end’

Shelflife Mon 12-Jan-26 13:58:33

I remember my Dad liking the bicarb. on the kitchen window sill . He wanted quick access when indigestion got the better of him .

Retread Mon 12-Jan-26 14:28:30

I had run out of dishwasher tablets last night, so after a bit of Googling I put an eggcup full of white vinegar on the top shelf. The dishes came out sparkling clean! It’s not recommended for use all the time but I’m pleased to know that it works as a stop gap.

BlueBelle Mon 12-Jan-26 14:49:07

I teaspoon in a big glass of water every hour for water infections it dilutes the acid in your urine Doesn’t cure a UTI but helps it be more bearable while you’re waiting for antibiotics

MayBee70 Mon 12-Jan-26 15:10:25

We always had a tin of Andrew’s Liver Salts in the house when I was a child.

Septimia Mon 12-Jan-26 15:11:45

When I was a baby my mum was told, by a children's nurse, to put bicarb in my bath water as it would neutralise the acid in urine and prevent nappy rash. She later worked in a chemist's and passed the advice to various young mums whose babies had nappy rash that they couldn't get rid of with expensive creams.

I used it for DS and never had any problems except when away in the campervan with bathing difficult.

DollyRocker Mon 12-Jan-26 15:45:25

We often had a bicarb chaser after mum's cooking. I got rid of a UTI from hell with bicarb & the stop start urine flow method thankfully as my friend had bad nerve damage from Ciprofloxacillin so I'm wary of antibiotics but realise sometimes they're crucial. I use it a lot round the house, it's great especially on grotty bakeware with a splash of vinegar . That's a great tip @Septima, I'm due to Bea grandma soon so will pass that tip on.

HelterSkelter1 Mon 12-Jan-26 15:47:11

I used it in my bath water when I had shingles...on my buttock. Very soothing. A teaspoon where I was sitting.
My parents used it for indigestion. Mum used to buy quite a big pack from the chemist. I must ask at Boots if they still do a large pack.
Otherwise will look on line.

HelterSkelter1 Mon 12-Jan-26 15:49:55

Yes I had forgotten I use it on pans or bakewarel which has hardened burnt on residue. A tablespoon and hot water dissolving it and left overnight.

Mixed with white vinegar down a blocked plug hole can help clear it.

CariadAgain Mon 12-Jan-26 15:58:27

LadyGaGa

My mum and dad used to use it for heartburn. I can remember them settling down after tea and my mum getting the ‘bi carb’. My dad usually asked for a another ‘tip end’

It's what I am currently using myself - but I don't wish to continue doing so. I can tell it's making my mouth very dry - but, more worrying to me, is I'm concerned about possible long-term effects from using it.

So currently trying out other methods of getting back to normal - ie no more heartburn - and right at this moment having several days of no citric fruit to see how that goes. Hoping that'll do the trick - with a few weeks at most of that. Then back to normal - but heartburn gone for good.

Sago Mon 12-Jan-26 15:59:01

HelterSkelter1

Isn't this a wonderful product? So cheap and easily available. And so many uses.

I have just wiped my sore, dry eyes and eyelids with 1/2 teaspoon in a 1/2 pint of boiled cooled water. I used cotton wool balls and now my eyes and lids feel so fresh and clean. My current optician recommended buying eye wipes...which stung and left my eyes and lids sore. A previous optician recommended diluted baby shampoo which was better, but soda bicarb is the best.
Other uses I have read recently on GN is drinking in plenty of water for UTIs and spreading over a mattress to leave and then vacuum up to get rid of smells.
Any simple products you have on hand for many uses? I also use white vinegar for all sorts of cleaning...but not my eyes of course!!

Bicarbonate does not get rid of a UTI,it neutralises the uri e so makes peeing less painful.

I don’t want anyone ignoring medical advice and trying this as a cure.

BlueBelle Mon 12-Jan-26 16:02:28

No it doesn’t get rid of it at all Sago which is what I said originally it reduces the acid and makes it more bearable while getting antibiotics

Luckygirl3 Mon 12-Jan-26 18:58:25

I use it instead of surface cleaner for cleaning worktops and sinks. I also combine it with white vinegar to unblock sinks. I buy it in plastic shaker containers.

MayBee70 Mon 12-Jan-26 19:28:44

I wanted to give my washing machine a clean last night but didn’t have any of those cleaners you can buy. So after googling it I put some soda crystals in it did a hot wash. Re indigestion I now drink activated charcoal in a glass of water for indigestion and it works almost instantly. I only bought some to give my dog if she steals and eats something she shouldn’t, but thought I’d try it myself and wouldn’t be without it now.

David49 Mon 12-Jan-26 19:40:52

MayBee70

I wanted to give my washing machine a clean last night but didn’t have any of those cleaners you can buy. So after googling it I put some soda crystals in it did a hot wash. Re indigestion I now drink activated charcoal in a glass of water for indigestion and it works almost instantly. I only bought some to give my dog if she steals and eats something she shouldn’t, but thought I’d try it myself and wouldn’t be without it now.

Best not to confuse soda crystals with bicarbonate .

SORES Mon 12-Jan-26 20:09:59

Box Bicarbonate of Soda £1.49 for 500g at Savers -

who also deliver

MayBee70 - Soda Crystals should not be imbibed
they are not the same as Bicarbonate of Soda

MayBee70 Mon 12-Jan-26 20:30:33

SORES

Box Bicarbonate of Soda £1.49 for 500g at Savers -

who also deliver

MayBee70 - Soda Crystals should not be imbibed
they are not the same as Bicarbonate of Soda

I didn’t say to drink soda crystals; just recommended them for cleaning washing machines.

sandye Tue 13-Jan-26 13:51:06

I pour a couple or three tablespoon in egg water when boiling eggs. Makes peeling really easy.

gwyneth28 Tue 13-Jan-26 15:08:14

The best thing out for ear wax, oil just softens but bicarb dissolves it it was recommended by my audiologist.

HelterSkelter1 Tue 13-Jan-26 15:19:13

Maybe that is why it is good for pans with stuck on greasy burnt bits. What is the dilution for ear drops? Same as for eyes? 1/2 teaspoon in 1/2 pint?

Thanks for all the tips. A miracle product.

Colls Tue 13-Jan-26 15:22:26

MayBee70

We always had a tin of Andrew’s Liver Salts in the house when I was a child.

Love Andrew's Liver Salts. Sadly no longer available.
I wish another company would start to produce it.

Greciangirl Tue 13-Jan-26 15:30:24

I also miss Andrew’s Liver Salts.

Why on earth did they stop producing it?

After covid it seemed to be unavailable and not seen since.

AmberGran Tue 13-Jan-26 15:34:50

HelterSkelter1

Maybe that is why it is good for pans with stuck on greasy burnt bits. What is the dilution for ear drops? Same as for eyes? 1/2 teaspoon in 1/2 pint?

Thanks for all the tips. A miracle product.

You can buy ear drops containing bicarb - I think Otex does them. Never tried them though.

Mojack26 Tue 13-Jan-26 16:23:59

Have you just discoverd this? Been using for many things for padt 40+ years...🤣