Cleaning with Baking Soda

The use of baking soda is not limited only to food and drink. It is a miraculous ingredient that can be used effectively for cleaning purposes. The results will leave you spellbound, and will definitely end your search for those perfect cleaning products for your kitchen, bathroom, clothes and other household items. Yes, that's how many uses it has. Let's take a look at the different ways of cleaning with baking soda.

Bathroom Cleaning with Baking Soda

• To clear a clogged drain, use baking soda and vinegar. Pour down 1 cup of baking soda in the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. This blend causes the concoction to foam, thereby cleaning the drain. Leave the solution for about 15 minutes. Now pour hot water down the drain, till you are sure that the drain has cleared. Make this a weekly habit to maintain the cleanliness of the drains.
• Cleaning with baking soda and vinegar is an effective solution to remove mineral deposits around faucets and wash basins. Combining two tablespoons of vinegar with two tablespoons of baking soda, will give you a good scouring powder.
• Use a mixture of baking soda with vinegar to clear the build up of soap and grease in the bathtub.
• Soak your shower curtains in a solution of baking soda and vinegar, and use a scrub brush to clear all the grime collection and the growth of mold. It will also get rid of the odors that collect on shower curtains.
• The toilet seat can be cleaned by using baking soda sprinkled on a soft cloth. Follow this by wiping it clean with a damp cloth. The inside of the toilet can be made spotless by cleaning with baking soda and white vinegar. Make a thick paste with the two and scrub it clean.
• Leave a cup of baking soda in the toilet to fight all the odors that emanate there. It also prevents the collection of moisture, and loosens the build up of dirt.

Laundry Cleaning with Baking Soda

• Stains that are left behind on clothes due to perspiration can be removed by soaking the area in a baking soda and vinegar solution. Wash in hot water.
• Clean cloth diapers by soaking them in a baking soda solution. This will rid them of the foul smell. In the last rinse, add ½ cup of vinegar to keep them fresh.
• While doing the laundry, remove tough stains by adding baking soda along with the detergent in the washing machine. Else, soak them before washing to ensure stain removal.
• While using bleach, adding ½ cup of baking soda will make it more effective.

Kitchen Cleaning with Baking Soda

• Using baking soda will help in keeping the kitchen clean, in case of small fires, such as electrical or grease fires. Just toss a handful into the flames to put them out.
• Plastic cutting boards tend to retain the smells of foods that were cut on them like garlic and onions. To remove these smells, use a paste of baking soda and lemon, and scrub the board. Let it stay for about 30 minutes, and rinse the paste with vinegar, followed by a thorough rinsing with water.
• Get rid of the awful smell emanating from your garbage can by sprinkling in some baking soda at the bottom of the pail, and also in the garbage bag.
• Keep kitchen surfaces such as counter tops and tiles clean, by cleaning with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, sprinkled on a fresh cloth. Follow by wiping with a damp cloth. This will also clear grease marks and oil spills.
• If you have marble or granite counter tops, use a paste of baking soda with hydrogen peroxide and water for stain removal. Apply the paste and cover it with a damp paper towel. Let it rest overnight and wipe it clean in the morning.
• If food dries out in a pan, or gets burnt, it can be removed by sprinkling baking soda at the base and soaking it overnight in hot water.
• Food containers also tend to develop stale smells. To remove these, soak the containers in a solution of baking soda in hot water, overnight.
• All the silverware in the kitchen can be cleaned by using a solution of 3 parts baking soda to one part water. Put the paste on the items and rinse with warm water. This solution can also be used to keep stainless steel appliances sparkling. Just wipe them with a damp cloth after applying the paste, in the direction of the grains.
• Even stains on china can be removed by scrubbing and cleaning with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
• Heat a baking soda solution in a glass bowl for 3 minutes in the microwave, to loosen the oil collection in the microwave. Wipe it clean. Do not heat for long as this may cause an eruption inside the microwave.

Household Cleaning with Baking Soda

• If you have brass handles, figurines, etc. wipe them clean with a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Apply the paste with a cloth, allow it to dry, and then clean it with a fresh cloth.
• To remove pet odors and food smells from carpets, blot the stain, sprinkle some baking soda on the affected area and then vacuum.
• If someone smokes around the house, sprinkle baking soda at the base of the ashtray to reduce the smell of cigarettes.
• Make a solution of water, vinegar and baking soda and pour it in a spray bottle. Use it to make glass, doors, and window panes spotless.

It is relatively safe to use baking soda, and as you can see, it can be used to clean almost anything. So before you go and pick up that expensive cleaning product, try cleaning with baking soda first. You will definitely not indulge in those products again!