9 Curious Cleaning Uses of Baking Soda
From your kitchen to your bathroom, cleaning with baking soda is a fantastic way to utilise an eco-friendly cleaning method, which works!
Baking soda is an absolute kitchen essential ingredient, from helping you prepare delicious pancakes, to home-baked bread and cakes. But did you know it also works great for various cleaning tasks around your home? It is a gentle and non-toxic cleaner, when it comes to removing stains, cleaning toys and various other things around your home. Whether you are doing a spring cleaning marathon or just a small chore, you can try one of the following tips for perfect results:
- Deodorise the trash can – you only have a small amount of baking soda in the trash can to absorb all of the unpleasant odours of the area.
- Clean a stainless steel kitchen – mix baking soda and vinegar in a bowl and use that solution to clean a stainless steel sink. Cover the area and wipe with a sponge. The gentle scouring properties of the baking soda will make short work of any sink stains.
- Clean the stovetop – if the stovetop is grimy, you need only put some baking soda on the area. Let it sit for a few minutes and wipe with a damp sponge. Scrub gently as you work, and you will notice the mess disappearing. Wipe clean with a soft microfiber cloth afterwards and enjoy a shiny stovetop looking as good as new.
- Clean the oven – while you are doing the stovetop, you may also want to consider cleaning the oven. This is one of the hardest working appliances in your kitchen, and it often falls victim to a mess. That is why it is so crucial to clean it up often, and not necessarily by using harsh chemicals. A baking soda paste made with water is ideal. Mix enough of both ingredients to get a consistent mixture, and then spread it inside the oven. Let it sit overnight and then wipe with a damp cloth. You will find the mess very easy to remove.
- Deodorise the cutting board – sprinkle some baking soda on the item, scrub it well and rinse with water. That ought to do the trick.
- Remove soap scum – get a wet rag or a sponge, and sprinkle some baking soda on it. Rub the sinks and any areas with baking soda and you will easily remove soap scum.
- Clean the grout – you need lemon juice and baking soda. Make a paste of these two ingredients. Grab a toothbrush and start applying the paste on the grout lines. If you want a more potent mixture to clean grout with, try half a cup of bleach with ¾ cup of baking soda. Use the same manner of application. This second method is the one to go for when you have a serious problem, such as mouldy spots, whereas the other method is more of a routine cleaning option.
- Freshen up your bedroom closet – if you are worried about musty smells, you can use baking soda to neutralise them. Place a box full of baking soda in the closet and it will absorb the unpleasant odours.
- Deodorise the mattress – to remove any unpleasant scents from the mattress, you need only baking soda. Sprinkle a generous amount on the mattress. Then, vacuum it all over. You can also add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the baking soda, to introduce a fresh scent.
As you can see, baking soda has so many uses around the home that it is a waste not to try it out!
