By contributing writer Angie
Baking soda isn’t just for baking cookies and making science fair volcano experiments, even though both of those can be pretty fun. Cleaning with baking soda can be an inexpensive, safe, and green cleaning alternative, just like its science fair volcano friend, vinegar.
So, why not go get a big box of baking soda and try out some of these cleaning methods that you might not have tried before?
10 Ways to Start Cleaning with Baking Soda
1. Remove trash can odors. To help neutralize trash can smells, you can sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trash can. If you have particularly bad trash can odors, you can even follow up that method by sprinkling some more baking soda inside the trash bag.
2. Kitchen drain cleaner. If you have a garbage disposal, then you might have had the experience of a stinky kitchen sink. To combat this smell, as well as do some cleaning, add a half cup of baking soda to your drain while running very hot water.
3. Clean tiled floors. By adding a half cup of baking soda to a bucket of warm water, you can clean your tiled floors. For particularly tough spots, you can make a paste for spot cleaning.
4. Use as a surface cleaner. Counter tops can be cleaned by sprinkling baking soda on the surface and then wiping it down with warm water.
5. Deodorize carpets. To give your carpet an extra cleaning the next time you vacuum, just sprinkle baking soda in carpeted areas and let it sit for 10 – 15 minutes. Once the time has passed, vacuum the carpet as you usually would.
6. Spot cleaning spills on carpets. You should first clean up as much of the spill as possible and dry the area. Then, you can spread the area with baking soda to help get rid of odors that might occur, especially if the spill was able to soak far into the carpet. After you’ve allowed the baking soda to sit for 10 – 15 minutes, vacuum that area of the carpet.
7. Get rid of refrigerator and freezer odors. This is, of course, a classic use for baking soda. In fact, they even sell boxes that are specially made to allow maximum air flow through the box in order to help them be more effective. Just remember to change the refrigerator and freezer baking soda boxes periodically. While there isn’t any harm in forgetting and leaving them there, they will become less effective.
8. Cleaning food stuck on pots and pans. If you have food stuck on pots and pans that just won’t budge, you can sprinkle on a decent amount of baking soda and then add hot water to the pan. Allow it to sit for several hours before trying to work on the stuck-on food again. It still may take some work to remove it, but the baking soda should help.
9. Boost your laundry’s cleaning power. By adding a half to a full cup of baking soda to your laundry, you can help brighten and clean your clothes.
10. Clean up grease spills. Baking soda can be poured on grease spills and then scrubbed to clean the greasy area.
Do you use baking soda as a cleaning agent in your home? If so, what is your favorite use?
More from The Happy Housewife
- 49 Uses for Baking Soda
- Use Baking Soda to Unclog Drains
- 15 Ways to Use Vinegar to Clean Your Home
- How to Clean a Refrigerator
- How to Keep a Glass Shower Clean
- More posts from Angie
photo by Joel Kramer
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