Baking soda key to frugality

The pathway to a rich life seems to be paved in baking soda.

"The Frugal Woman's Guide to a Rich Life," from iVillage Solutions (Rutledge Hill Press, $14.99), gives lots of tips to "simplify your life, save money and be happier."

And when it comes to humble, low-cost baking soda, the "Frugal Woman" certainly thinks outside the box. We already know baking soda repels the odor of "fridge-itis." But you may not have thought to mix it with your dishwasher detergent to make it stretch further, or sprinkle it in your shoes to replace expensive "odor-eater" powders.

I agree with this new book's philosophy that a person can be happy without lots of money. And I'm always glad to save a buck here and there. But I draw the line at the idea of making underarm deodorant from baking soda and cornstarch. A day or two of applying this with a powder puff after showering, and that $3 stick of Right Guard will look like a bargain.

Vinegar and salt are also wonder products. If your kitchen drain is clogged with grease, boil a quart of water with one cup of white vinegar. Then pour the boiling liquid down the drain and wait five minutes. Vinegar is also supposed to be a good carpet cleaner because it doesn't leave any soapy residue to attract dirt. You can kill grass growing in cement cracks by sprinkling salt on it and then pouring hot tap water over the salt.

A bonus to using these kitchen ingredients is that they're environmentally friendly, as opposed to chemical cleaners and commercial products.

I'm always interested in reading books that outline creative ways to cut down on expenses, even though it seems like the pennies I save never seem to add up to the dollars I spend. And some suggestions (such as soda deodorant) aren't practical for every person. I can't see myself grating a bar of Fels Naptha soap and boiling it with washing soda in a vat of water to make my own laundry detergent. But now if the need arises, I know how to do it.

Here are some of the ways common household products can be used, according to "The Frugal Woman":

Baking soda:

• Polish silverware with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rub, rinse and dry.

• To remove carpet odors, sprinkle soda over carpets, leave for a couple of hours or overnight, and vacuum.

• Make a paste with lemon juice and soda to use as a "soft-scrub" cleaner that won't scratch bathroom surfaces.