Cleaning is boring, time-consuming, and it can be a real pain. However, cleanliness is not only an important key to success but also adds its rewards. Today more than ever people are searching for ways to clean their homes differently but in less time and using less money. The good news is that you don’t need any fancy new gadgets to tackle this problem. Baking soda is all you need and while there are many ways some of them are far more clever than others.
Baking soda can help you clean everything from your kitchen countertops and dressers to your bathroom tiles and flooring. Let’s take a look at how baking soda can improve the state of your home…
Clean Your Grill
Combine equal parts baking soda and water in a spray bottle, then spray onto your grill rack or grate and scrub clean with a wire brush.
This will remove burned-on food particles as well as any grease buildup on your cookware surface.
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Make Your Own Deodorant
Baking soda can be used in place of baking powder in homemade deodorants for extra odor-fighting power.
Just mix together 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 20 drops of essential oil (lavender works well) into a fine powder, then store in an airtight container until needed (it will last several months).
Apply dry underarms after showering and before bedtime for best results.
Clean Your Microwave Oven
Baking soda is a great all-purpose cleaner. It can even be used to scrub down your microwave oven.
Pour some baking soda into a bowl, add a few drops of water, and mix well until you have a paste you can use to scrub down the inside of your microwave.
Scrub away any stains or food splatter with the paste, then wipe clean with paper towels.
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Remove Crayon Marks from Walls
Did your little one draw on the walls again? Don’t worry. All you need is some hot water and baking soda to get rid of those marks.
Mix together equal parts water and baking soda in a spray bottle and spray directly onto the wall where the crayon marks are.
Let sit for about 10 minutes before wiping away with paper towels or sponges (be careful not to scratch).
Clean Your Showerhead
If your showerhead is clogged with mineral deposits, try soaking it in a solution of equal parts warm water and vinegar (or lemon juice). After about an hour or so, scrub off the deposits using a toothbrush or an old toothbrush or pipe cleaner that has been dipped into some baking soda.
Rinse it all off with warm water and then clean away any residue left behind using an old toothbrush dipped in white vinegar. Once dry, spray your showerhead with rubbing alcohol for good measure and wipe dry before reinstalling on your shower wall or faucet.
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Stainless Steel Sink Cleaner
Baking soda is great for cleaning stainless steel sinks since it doesn’t scratch them and it’s super-effective at getting rid of hard water stains.
The best way to use it is to sprinkle it over the sink, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off with a damp cloth. If there are tough stains, you can let the baking soda sit overnight and then scrub it in the morning.
Stovetop Cleaner
Baking soda works well as an all-purpose cleaner for the stovetop, too. Sprinkle some into a damp sponge or dishcloth and scrub away any greasy or sticky spots from pans and pots.
You can also sprinkle some on top of your cooking utensils before you put them away after washing them, this will help prevent them from rusting in storage. Just make sure not to use this method with aluminum pans.
Remove Pet Stains from Carpeting
Cleaning up after your pets can be a messy job. But there’s an easy way to get rid of pet stains on carpeting: just sprinkle some baking soda over the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes or so, and then vacuum up the mess.
The baking soda will absorb the odor and help lift out dirt particles left by the pet urine stains.
Clean Your Closet Shelves
A good cleaning is the best way to get rid of musty smells in your closet. To clean the shelves, mix equal parts water and baking soda into a paste.
Wipe down your shelves with the paste, let it sit for 15 minutes, then wipe again with a clean damp cloth.
Get Rid of Mildew Smells in Bathrooms and More
Baking soda is an excellent natural deodorizer that can help get rid of mildew smells in bathrooms, kitchens, and more.
Sprinkle some of it on surfaces that have mildewed areas, let it sit overnight, and then vacuum up the powder in the morning. If there are still odors present, repeat the process until they’ve been eliminated completely. Learn more about 15 Genius Bathroom Cleaning Hacks You Should Know
Use Baking Soda to Get Rid of Mildew on Clothes and Linens
To get rid of mildew on clothes or linens, sprinkle baking soda directly onto stains and let sit for 30 minutes before washing as usual.
You can also soak stained items overnight in a tub filled with equal parts water and baking soda before washing them as usual.
Clean Your Fridge
To keep your fridge smelling fresh and clean, sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the appliance before replacing any fruits or vegetables that have spoiled over time.
Also, sprinkle baking soda on surfaces within the refrigerator after cooking meat when you’re storing leftovers in containers within it so that they don’t pick up smells from other foods while they’re sitting there waiting to be eaten again later on down the road.
Baking soda is a multipurpose household product that can be used to clean everything from your bathtub to your fridge.
Deodorize Stinky Shoes
Sprinkle baking soda in your shoes and let it sit overnight. Vacuum it out the next day and enjoy fresh-smelling feet all day long.
Clean Your Laundry Machine
Add 1/2 cup soap and 1/4 cup baking soda to the dispenser and run through a cycle of hot water.
The result will be clean clothes and a clean machine.
Deodorize Your Garbage Disposal
To banish bad smells from under the sink, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup vinegar.
Let stand for 5 minutes before running hot water (from a faucet other than the one you’re cleaning) through it for 15 seconds, then flush again with cool water for 15 seconds.
Clean Mirrors and Glass With Baking Soda and Vinegar
Make a paste by mixing equal parts water with baking soda, then apply it to your mirror or glass surface with a sponge or rag, scrubbing gently until clean.
Rinse off with warm water and dry immediately with a soft cloth for best results.
Unclog Drains With Baking Soda and Vinegar
Use baking soda and vinegar to create a chemical reaction that helps break down clogs caused by soap scum and hair buildup.
Pour about a half cup of baking soda into the drain then pour in about a cup of vinegar so that it foams up like crazy (this may cause some splattering).
Let this sit for about five minutes, then run hot water down the drain until all foaming stops.
Fruit and Veggie Wash
Baking soda is an excellent fruit and veggie wash because it’s safe for both humans and plants. Just sprinkle some on your produce, let sit for a few minutes, then rinse off with water.
You can also use baking soda as a natural scrubbing agent when rinsing off your fruits and veggies; just sprinkle a little bit on your hands first, then rub gently over the produce.
Cleans Greasy Dishes
You can use baking soda to clean greasy dishes by sprinkling some onto your sponge or dish rag before scrubbing away at the gunk on your plates or pots and pans.
This method is especially handy if you have hard water stains or other tough spots to remove from your dishes after cooking dinner.
Cutting Board Deodorizer
Bacteria can live in cutting boards and make them smell pretty gross over time, but not if you’re using baking soda to cut down on odors.
Just sprinkle some on top of your cutting board every couple of days or so when you’re not using it (not directly after chopping onions or garlic) and let it sit overnight for the best results.
Dishrag Deodorizer
Baking soda can help eliminate odors from your kitchen, bathroom, and elsewhere. For example, sprinkle some on your dishrag and let it sit overnight.
The next day, toss the rag into the wash with some vinegar in hot water, and voila! You have a clean rag that smells fresh.
Baking Soda for Sinks
Make sure to add baking soda to your daily cleaning routine. When you run the hot water in your sink, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to it.
Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then scrub with a brush or sponge. This will help get rid of stains caused by hard water and soap scum build-up.
Dishwasher Cleaner
You’re probably familiar with using vinegar in place of other cleaning products but did you know that baking soda works great too?
Add one cup of baking soda to your dishwasher detergent compartment (make sure not to use soap) before starting a load of dishes. It will leave your dishes sparkling clean without any harsh chemicals.
Soap Scum Remover
Baking soda is great for removing soap scum from your bathroom and kitchen sinks. Just sprinkle some on the surface and scrub with a damp sponge or cloth.
Comb and Brush Cleaner
To get rid of tangles in your hairbrushes or combs, sprinkle some baking soda over the bristles and brush through them until they’re free of tangles.
You can also do this with your toothbrush if it’s getting a bit crusty around the edges (just don’t swallow!).
Shower Grout Cleaner
Baking soda is excellent at removing dirt from the grout between tiles in showers or baths.
Just sprinkle some baking soda on the area you want to clean, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off with warm water and scrub gently with a toothbrush or small brush if necessary (don’t use too much pressure).
For tough stains try mixing baking soda with hydrogen peroxide or vinegar before scrubbing away.
Oil Stain Remover
Sprinkle some baking soda on top of any oil stains on concrete or asphalt driveways and walkways, then use a wet sponge or scrub brush to scrub it into the stain until it disappears completely (or at least looks much lighter).
Rinse it away and allow everything to dry completely before driving into the area again (to avoid further damage).
Shower Curtain Cleaner
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide to clean your shower curtain.
Let it stand for 10 minutes, then wash as usual with your favorite detergent.
This mixture will not only remove soap scum but also fight mildew and mold growth on your shower curtain liner.
Baking Soda Mattress Deodorizer
If you have pets or live with a smoker, it might be time to freshen up your mattress. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that will help eliminate any unpleasant smells in your bedroom.
Sprinkle some baking soda directly onto the surface of the mattress and let it sit overnight before vacuuming it off in the morning. Vacuuming removes any excess dust that might be left behind after sprinkling on the baking soda.
Litter Box Deodorizer
Baking soda will absorb the odor from your cat’s litter box, but it has to be used regularly to be effective. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the bottom of the litter box, then pour litter on top of that.
The baking soda will help control odor for up to two weeks if you change out the litter weekly. If you have multiple cats use 1 cup of baking soda per litter box instead of half a cup.
The more cats using the box, the more baking soda is needed to control odors.
Pet Bedding Deodorizer
If you own pets, then you know how stinky their bedding can get after just a few uses.
Baking soda is an effective way to neutralize pet odors because it absorbs bad smells and leaves behind a fresh scent. Sprinkle some baking soda on top of the pet bedding before replacing it in the cage or crate.
Marble Cleaner
Marble has long been considered one of the most beautiful materials available for countertops and other surfaces in our homes. It’s also one of the hardest minerals on earth.
That’s why many people choose marble for their kitchen backsplashes or bathroom vanities. But there’s one big problem. Marble is very porous and stains easily.
This means that any spills or splatters that land on a marble surface will stain it permanently if left untreated for too long (and sometimes even if treated immediately).
Conclusion
Now that you know all there is to know about baking soda, it’s time to put those cleaning skills into action. I think the best thing about using baking soda is knowing that you are cleaning your home naturally, without resorting to harsh chemicals or artificial scents.
You can use a number of these cleaning ideas around the house on a daily basis, and feel good about yourself for doing so. You’ll always be prepared to clean up a messy spill with homemade baking-soda slurry or start your mornings with a clean kitchen sink and an herbal-scented sponge bath.
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