If you are a natural cleaning products aficionado, then you are probably familiar with the benefits of baking soda as a disinfectant: it's environmentally friendly, effective, inexpensive and healthier then the chemical-laden products on the market. But we were amazed at just how many things baking soda can do in your home. Check after the jump for 7 great ways to clean your home with baking soda!
• Cleaning countertops: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth. Wipe down counters; then wipe again with a clean, damp cloth.
• Polishing silver: Mix together three parts baking soda to one part water. Rub the paste onto your silver, rinse with warm water and wipe dry.
• Cleaning burnt on food in pots and pans: Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the pan; add hot water. Let soak overnight. Baked on food will come loose when you wash the pan.
• Unclogging a drain: Pour one cup of baking soda down your drain, then add one cup of vinegar. When these two substances mix, they foam and expand, cleaning your drain. Allow a few minutes for the mixture to work, then rinse with hot water for several minutes.
• Removing odors from your carpet: Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and let sit for fifteen minutes. Then, vacuum. Repeat as needed to remove all traces of odor.
• Cleaning children's toys: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda in one quart of warm water. Use this solution to wipe down kids' toys, or submerge them in the mixture and rinse clean.
• Keeping garbage odors at bay: Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the can. Add whatever liner you use, then sprinkle more baking soda.
Got any other baking soda tips? Share them in the comments!
Check out some more ways to use baking soda and other natural cleaners at Natural Healthy Home.
(Image by Flickr member 19melissa68 licensed for use under Creative Commons.)
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I love baking soda, I use it to soak dishes in so you use less soap I use it to help scrub my pans I use it in all the ways above as well and I stick a baby food jar of it with hole poked out on top in my car to deodorize it
I totally use baking soda to clean my toilets.
Baking soda is also a great skin buffer! I like to use it on the backs of my arms to smooth out those little bumps.
Also sprinkle some in the bath to help my son's eczema.
*I am aware these aren't 'cleaning' methods per-say... but helpful anyway.
I just read an article in Real Simple magazine that was talking about sprinkling baking soda all over your mattress to help clean/deodorize it. Sounded like you were to sprinkle a layer over the entire mattress and leave it there, put your (clean) sheets over it for up to a week (sleeping on it per usual) and then vacuum it up after a week to 10 days.
Sounds totally nutty to me.
I put 3 Tablespoons of baking soda in a 1 liter spray bottle and fill it with water.
I spray the inside of my oven with this once or twice a day. I then wipe the oven out once a week. My oven is always clean with this quick and easy method.
Love the stuff! As well as the fabulous uses all of you have mentioned, I use it instead of shampoo and wash with it. Sounds weird, but it's amazing! I do a finish rinse with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a big glass of water. My hair is so shiny and it keeps my sensitive skin smooth and happy. It's so cheap too!!! :) When using it on my body I make sure it's aluminum-free.
I love baking soda too!!! I always use it to clean out my coffeepot, it is just abrasive enough to clean up the coffee "haze" it rinses clean and doesn't leave any weird odors or flavors.
I also mix it with powdered cinnamon, cloves and cardamom in a shaker container and use it as a carpet deodorizer on our Landlord beige carpet. It makes everything smell wonderful!
so cool can fridge be lceaned too,..baking tip is very handy
I put an opened container in my fridge. Great to absorb odors (but I guess that's the obvious one:). Also a half a lemon works fantastic in the fridge. Just leave it in the back (uncovered) and it will soak up any odors.
These are terrific tips! Thanks!
Laundry ! I use it whenever I wash bath towels to help keep that "sour" smell at bay. About 1/2 a cup per load will do it.
Do you think it would work well for hard wood floors? I need something safe for a crawling baby that doesn't irritate the floor.
@ellenpasta, I just use white vinegar in a spray bottle to clean my wood floors. It works very well!
It is also great for removing pencil drawing and other scuff marks off the walls. It is amazing the difference it makes!