General General 3 min read

Go beyond baking

Did you know about these 12 unexpected uses for baking soda?

Image: Clint Patterson

As the name suggests, baking soda can be used for, well, baking. But, as it happens, there are many other uses for this wonder product. From cleaner to pesticide remover, to air freshener and beyond, baking soda can do it. Did you know about the following 12 uses?

1
Fridge odor neutralizer

Image: Ello

Baking soda can help a fridge get rid of bad odor particles. To achieve this, you must fill a cup with baking soda and place it in the back of your fridge . The baking soda will absorb any smell in a few hours.

2
Air freshener

Image: A. L.

Unlike most commercial air fresheners, which only release fragrance molecules that mask other smells instead of actually eliminating bad odors, baking soda does neutralize smells .

To achieve this, simply put ⅓ cup of baking soda and a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a small jar. Cover it with a piece of cloth and secure it with a string. Place the jar wherever you need to eliminate the bad odors.

3
Laundry whitening agent

Image: PlanetCare

Baking soda can help remove stains from clothes in the washing machine. That is because it is a soluble salt, which removes dirt and stains .

To try it out, add half a cup of baking soda to your regular amount of laundry detergent. It also helps soften the water, so you may need less detergent than usual.

4
Kitchen cleaner

Image: Le Creuset

When mixed with an acid like lemon juice or vinegar, baking soda can also help control the growth of harmful microorganisms .

To use baking soda in your kitchen, make a paste by mixing baking soda with an equal amount of lemon juice and a bit of water. Apply the paste to the desired surface with a sponge and scrub thoroughly.

5
Garbage odor eliminator

Image: YoNeKeN

As we have seen, baking soda can serve to eliminate smells, and garbage cans are no exception . This can be accomplished by simply throwing some baking soda every few days into the garbage can to neutralize the odors and prevent microbacteria from growing.

6
Multipurpose bathroom cleaner

Image: Steven Ungermann

Just like it can be used to clean kitchens, baking soda can also serve as a natural cleaner for bathrooms. This product comes in handy because it whitens and disinfects many bathroom surfaces .

Make a paste using baking soda and a bit of water, and rub it over the surface you wish to clean.

7
Pesticide remover for fruit and veggies

Image: Jacopo Maiarelli

Pesticides are used to protect crops from insects, germs, rodents, and weeds, but many have harmful effects on human health. A baking soda wash is a good way to remove pesticides from fruits and veggies by soaking them in baking soda and water for 15 minutes.

8
Scorched pot cleaner

Image: Markus Winkler

A scorched bottom in your pot or pan can be a nightmare to clean, but adding baking soda and water and bringing it to a boil will soften up the burnt particles . After the water is boiling, empty the pot and clean it with a bit of washing liquid to remove whatever is left.

9
Oil and grease fire extinguisher

Image: Piotr Chrobot

Believe it or not, baking soda can be used to extinguish some small house fires. Dry chemical fire extinguishers, used to extinguish oil, grease, and electrical fires, contain baking soda. Baking soda reacts with the heat to produce carbon dioxide, which smothers the fire .

10
Neutralizing cat odors

Image: Manja Vitolic

To avoid unpleasant smells on the kitty litter and add a little time between box changes, try sprinkling baking soda inside it . This will eliminate bad odors in your house.

11
Soak up oil

Image: Alexandra Lowenthal

Sprinkling baking soda on top of spilled oil will soak up the liquid. Once the baking soda is in the targeted area, use a stiff-bristled brush to work it into the stain in a circular motion. Then rinse away with hot water.

History History 5 min read

Stages that made history

Were you there? 10 legendary music concerts held in the U.S.

Image: Johannes Havn

Some performances stay with us forever. Moments like Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar on fire, Prince playing Purple Rain in the pouring rain, or The Beatles being drowned out by the roaring crowd at Shea Stadium are etched in the minds of millions. Some people witnessed them live, while others saw them in documentaries or YouTube videos that continue to amass views decade after decade. Regardless of the medium, generations agree that these 10 performances are among the most unforgettable shows ever staged in the US.

1
The Beatle’s Shea Stadium Concert

Image: Fedor

The Beatles couldn’t hear themselves over the overwhelming roar of the crowd during their first U.S. performance. The concert that the band from Liverpool gave at Shea Stadium in the summer of 1965 made history. It drew 55,000 fans—the largest rock concert audience at the time—and marked the first time a rock band played in a large stadium.

This event set a new standard for live music performances, highlighting the need for stadium sound systems capable of supporting massive concerts—since the one used that day was rudimentary. Though the band arrived by helicopter, sparked a frenzy of Beatlemania hysteria, and delivered a performance that would be rewatched for decades, they played only 12 songs in just 30 minutes .

2
1985’s Live Aid

Image: Andreas Talseth

Did you know that Phil Collins insisted on performing at both the U.K. and U.S. venues on the same day for 1985’s Live Aid? He boarded a Concorde jet to fly from Wembley Stadium to JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, where the U.S. leg of the famine relief fundraiser for Ethiopia was taking place.

The event was broadcast in 150 countries and reached nearly 1.9 billion people. The U.S. stage of Live Aid raised over $125 million and set the standard for large-scale charity concerts, inspiring similar events in the years that followed. Madonna, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger with Tina Turner, Duran Duran, and Eric Clapton were just a few of the stars who performed that day.

3
Bob Dylan at Newport Folk Festival

Image: Nikoloz Gachechiladze

The 1965 Newport Folk Festival will always be remembered as the day Bob Dylan "went electric." His decision was controversial—he had long been associated with folk and blues, and his unexpected leap into rock divided the audience, with some cheering and others booing. Some believe the booing was directed at the poor sound quality rather than his choice to go electric. Regardless, Dylan left the stage after just three songs .

This moment is seen as a pivotal merger of folk and rock music. Afterward, Dylan fully embraced rock, releasing albums that included his hit "Like a Rolling Stone."

4
Simon & Garfunkel’s Concert in Central Park

Image: David Vives

In September 1981, Simon & Garfunkel reunited at Central Park in New York for their first performance together in over a decade. The duo had publicly announced their breakup in 1970, after friction and disagreements that had forced them apart. Their immense popularity drew a crowd of half a million people to Central Park to witness the event.

The duo performed some of their biggest hits along with a few of Paul Simon’s solo songs. The concert was a benefit to raise funds for the park’s restoration. It was broadcast live, and the recording was later released as a live album . The event reignited their popularity and led to a successful reunion tour.

5
The Allman Brothers Band’s Fillmore East Concerts

Image: Pixabay

During the spring of 1971, The Allman Brothers Band performed for three nights at the Fillmore East in New York City. These performances were recorded and released as the live album At Fillmore East , which became one of the greatest live albums in rock history.

What made these recordings particularly compelling for fans was the inclusion of extended jam versions of songs like "Whipping Post," "You Don't Love Me," and "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed." The band’s improvisational skills and seamless fusion of blues, jazz, and rock made this weekend in New York a legendary and widely acclaimed performance.

6
Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison

Image: M Shiva

In 1968, Johnny Cash made a decision that would revive his career and solidify his image as both empathetic and rebellious. Following a decline in popularity and struggles with addiction, he arranged a performance for the inmates at California’s Folsom Prison, about which he had written the hit Folsom Prison Blues years earlier.

Cash had played in prisons before, but this time, he chose to record it. The resulting album captured the raw energy of his direct engagement with the audience. At Folsom Prison became a massive success, marking the first in a series of prison concerts that would go on to become some of his best-selling records .

7
The Last Waltz of The Band

Image: William Krause

The Last Waltz was billed as The Band’s farewell concert , designed as a celebration of their remarkable career. Filmed by Martin Scorsese, the event featured an all-star lineup of guest musicians, including Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, and Ringo Starr—just to name a few.

Held in 1976 at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom, the concert was later released as a documentary film , becoming one of the greatest concert films of all time. With its chandeliers and grand ballroom atmosphere , The Last Waltz set a new standard for farewell concerts.

8
Prince’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

Image: Daniel Robert Dinu

Many will always remember when Prince performed "Purple Rain" in the pouring rain during the 2007 Super Bowl Halftime Show . Despite the adverse weather, he commanded the "P"-shaped stage at Miami’s Dolphin Stadium during the break in the game between the Colts and the Bears.

He opened with his anthem "Let's Go Crazy" and included covers of songs by Bob Dylan and Foo Fighters. Legend has it that before the show, Prince was asked if he was worried about performing in the rain. His alleged response? A playful, " Can you make it rain harder ?" He then stepped out and delivered one of the greatest halftime shows in history.

9
Jimi Hendrix at the Monterey Pop Festival

Image: mirkosajkov

Until the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, Jimi Hendrix had yet to break through in the US. It was none other than Paul McCartney who convinced organizers that the festival would be incomplete without the rising star.

American audiences were introduced to Hendrix’s guitar wizardry at this concert, where he showcased his newly released album Are You Experienced. The moment that cemented him as a force to be reckoned with came during a dramatic rendition of "Wild Thing," when he set his guitar on fire before smashing it.

10
Woodstock Music and Art Fair

Image: PeterKraayvanger

Finally, we can’t overlook the legendary Woodstock Music and Art Fair, forever known simply as "Woodstock." Held on a dairy farm in Bethel, New York, the festival became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture . Nearly half a million people gathered for this three-day event, which was originally planned as a profit-making venture but turned into an open festival when the crowds became overwhelming.

The lineup featured many stars who became emblems of the era, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, Santana, and Joe Cocker, among others. Despite its iconic status today, Woodstock faced challenges such as food and water shortages, heavy rain, and overwhelmed medical services. Although the festival initially resulted in a financial loss , the costs were eventually recovered through profits from the film and soundtrack releases.

General General 4 min read

Made in the U.S.A.

Are you familiar with these 10 iconic American car brands?

Image: Brett Sayles

America lovers cars. And cars love America. Its infinite roads and vast landscapes are the perfect environment for a four-wheeled vehicle to thrive in. From historic brands still alive and kickin’, like Ford, to new and disrupting players like Tesla, or the gone but not forgotten, like Oldsmobile, this list showcases ten examples of what America’s car industry can produce. Have you ever driven any of these brands?

1
Ford

Image: Ross Sokolovski

What is to say about Ford that hasn’t been said already? This omnipresent American car brand, founded by Henry Ford in 1903, is popularly known as the auto manufacturer responsible for putting America on wheels. Ford’s first car, the Model A , was assembled at a plant in Detroit.

The Model T was an affordable, reliable, and efficient vehicle . Within 10 years, half the cars in America were Model T’s. Ford created the world’s first moving assembly line for cars, which would change the industry forever. This invention allowed the company to produce one Model T in under thirty seconds.

2
Chevrolet

Image: Gary Sandoz

Another legendary brand, Chevrolet was founded in 1911, in Detroit, Michigan, by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant. Chevrolet introduced its first model, which was the Series C Classic Six and almost three thousand cars were sold the first year.

Chevrolet produced its one-millionth vehicle in the 1920s. In the late 1920s, Chevrolet surpassed Ford in sales, becoming the top seller of both cars and trucks. This position for first place went back and forth between the two brands over the years.

3
Jeep

Image: Kenny Eliason

A brand that was born strong, Jeep vehicles were first used in World War II as a reliable ride and then slowly made their way into the American non-military market. This brand is dubbed as a "Go anywhere, Do anything" kind of vehicle, owing to its sturdy frame and powerful engine.

Nowadays Jeep is popular among off-roaders and has several classic models in its roster, including the Wrangler, Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee, among others.

4
Dodge

Image: Dan Gold

Believe it or not, Dodge was a bicycle maker before being a car maker . The brand, established in 1900 dealt with bicycles in the first place and then started supplying car parts before deciding to get into the production of vehicles in 1914.

In the early 1920s, after the original founders passed away Chrysler bought the brand and continued producing successful cars, among them, the Ram, the Charger, the Caravan, and many others.

5
GMC

Image: todd kent

Another hugely successful American brand is GMC. The General Motor Truck Company came into existence in 1911. Over the years, the company started manufacturing large powerful vehicles including SUVs, vans, and a massive range of trucks. Popular GMC models include Acadia, Canyon, Sierra, Sienna, and Yukon among others.

6
Cadillac

Image: Sidney Pearce

The most famous luxury car in America, Cadillac owes its name to Antoine Laumet de La Mothe Cadillac, a French adventurer who discovered the city of Detroit. Believe it or not, passenger seats and an enclosed cabin were introduced for the very first time by Cadillac because, well, that was considered a luxury back then.

Some famous Cadillac car brands include the Camaro, Silverado, Tahoe, and Impala, among others.

7
Lincoln

Image: Arvin Dale

Other than Cadillac, most people would say Lincoln if asked for a luxury car brand, since this company is also a pioneer in this segment. This popular American car manufacturer started making luxury vehicles in 1917, at a time when the concept was not affordable for many.

Some classic Lincoln cars that are timeless to date include the Zephyr, the Town Car, the Mark LT, and the Navigator SUV. The latest SUVs popular among car enthusiasts include the Nautilus, MKC, Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair.

8
Tesla

Image: Tesla Fans Schweiz

Not many car brands have become so iconic in as few years as Tesla has and there is a simple reason for this: this American car brand revolutionized regular automobiles and made them electric . It had been done before, yes. But not with this level of success.

Tesla is a pioneer in reducing the carbon footprint of the environment with its electric vehicles. Many auto manufacturers are now following in Tesla’s footsteps. The revolutionary company unveiled its first creation called the Tesla Roadster in 2008.

9
Buick

Image: Mohammad Hoseini Rad

Buick is one of the oldest automobile brands in the world, having been founded in 1899. The company has a long history of producing high-quality, luxury, and performance-oriented vehicles and has been a part of General Motors since 1908.

In recent years, Buick has seen a decline in sales in the United States and has focused on the Chinese market where the brand has experienced success. Buick has shifted its focus towards producing more crossover and SUV models to meet the demand for larger vehicles in the current market.

10
Oldsmobile

Image: Hombre

Honoring its name, Oldsmobile, like the aforementioned Buick, was one of the oldest automobile brands in the United States, being founded in 1897. It initially gained popularity through innovations such as the first mass-produced car and the first automatic transmission.

In the mid-20th century, it was known for its performance and style, being a public favorite. However, by the late 1990s, Oldsmobile’s sales began to decline, leading to its discontinuation in 2004 as part of General Motors’ restructuring.

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