Are you looking to get away from all the chemicals in store the bought toothpaste? Luckily, there’s no need to head out to the health food store-it’s easy to make environmentally friendly, chemical-free toothpaste at home using one of the most common, inexpensive pantry staples in the Indian baking soda. Try this experiment with your kids to teach them the importance of knowing what’s inside the food they eat and the products they use. Say goodbye to sodium lauryl sulphate and hello to simple living.
What You Need:
❑ 1/4 cup baking soda
❑ 1 tablespoon salt
❑ Water
❑ Peppermint oil
❑ Mixing bowl
❑ Spoon
❑ Toothbrush
❑ Jar with lid
❑ Measuring cups and spoons
What You Do:
1. Mix the baking soda and salt together in the mixing bowl.
2. Add a few drops of peppermint oil to the mixture.
3. Gradually add small amounts of water to the dry ingredients, stirring constantly as you do.
4. Continue adding water until the mixture reaches a thick paste.
5. Wet your toothbrush and add a pinch of the mixture to the bristles.
6. Brush your teeth, rinse your mouth out with water, and analyze the results.
7. End the activity by looking up the ingredients in regular; store the bought toothpaste. Can you identify all the ingredients? Compare it to the toothpaste you have just made and decide which you prefer.
There are lots of advantages to making your own toothpaste. Aside from the health and environmental benefits, it’s also much cheaper than its store bought counterpart.