Did you know that you could practically clean your entire house by using only one product? Baking soda is a versatile and inexpensive cleaning agent that can be used to clean a variety of surfaces in your home (except aluminum). It is a natural, non-toxic cleaner that can effectively remove stains, grease, and grime. In this blog post, we will explore how four different ways of using baking soda to clean your home.
1. Surface cleaner
Baking soda can be used to clean most surfaces —except for wooden or aluminum ones.
In the kitchen, you can use it to clean your countertop, sink, stovetops, oven, microwave, fridge or even the bottom of pans and pots! To use it, just sprinkle baking soda onto the surface and use a damp cloth to scrub the area. For tough stains, make a paste by mixing baking soda with water and apply the paste to the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a damp cloth.You can also add some vinegar or water-diluted citric acid to increase effectiveness.
You can use the same method to clean your bathroom (sink, toilet, shower or bath): sprinkle the baking soda onto the surface, scrub with a sponge or brush, rinse it with water and dry with a clean cloth. The baking soda paste-vinegar combo is very useful to clean all your tile joints and drains. You will be surprise how effective it is! (and so simple :))
For your furniture, mix a tablespoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of Marseille soap flakes and a liter of warm water. Spray onto the surface and remove with a dry clean cloth.
2. Drain unclogger
Most of the products that are used to unclog pipes and drains are quite toxic for us and the environment, as they are usually composed of both bleach and caustic soda (literally, a bomb). Whether you care for your health or the planet, a non-risky (and probably way cheaper) alternative to this kind of products is, once again the baking soda-vinegar duo.
To use it, you need to bail out as much of the water you can from the clogged sink, tub or shower drain in the first place. Then, pour a cup of baking soda into the drain followed by one or two cups of vinegar. You immediately will notice how they react and produces an effervescence.Let it react for 15 minutes or until the bubble sounds stop and pour a liter of boiling water. If the clog persists, you can repeat these steps as many times you need.
3. Fabric cleaner
Due to its alkaline properties, baking soda is an excellent laundry booster, as it helps to brighten colors and whites and to eliminate pungent odors from your fabrics.
You can use it in an ordinary load of laundry by adding half a cup of baking soda directly on your clothes or in the detergent compartment. If you wish to eliminate persistent odors, such as tobacco or sweat, soak your clothes in warm water and add half a cup of baking soda. Leave it soaking for several hours or overnight and, after that, wash the clothes as usual.
To clean carpets, mattresses or other fabrics, combine a tablespoon of baking soda, one cup of vinegar and a teaspoon of washing-up liquid soap in a liter of warm water. Damp a clean cloth with the mixture and rub the fabric with circular movements and let it dry.
4. Odor remover
As told, baking soda its an efficient deodorant, mainly for “acidic” odors such as those of sweat, urine, litter…To avoid nasty smells, you can sprinkle baking soda into shoes, the bottom of trash bins or event pets sandbox. You can also use it to sanitize your mattress and carpets by sprinkling the baking soda, brushing it and letting it sit for a few minutes. Then, vacuum all the surface.
In conclusion, baking soda is a versatile and effective cleaning agent that can be used to clean a variety of surfaces in your home, from kitchen surfaces to bathroom surfaces, laundry, and fabrics, baking soda can tackle tough dirt and odors. So the next time you need to clean, forget about the zillion of cleaning products in the supermarkets and let the baking soda do its magic.
