Baking soda is more than just a way to make your baked goods rise. This powder acts as a mild abrasive and an odour absorber to remove gunk from surfaces without damaging them. Baking soda can be combined with other household cleaners, such as dishwashing fluid, to create a more powerful cleaning agent. It will help you remove greasy residues, polish metals, unclog drainages and more. You can also find this multi-purpose cleaner in any grocery store. It’s usually available in large amounts at a reasonable price. These 14 cleaning tips for baking soda will show you how to use this powerful pantry ingredient.
1. Showers should be cleaned.
Debra Johnson shares how she uses baking soda to clean and maintain a fresh shower. Sprinkle a little baking soda on a microfiber cloth that has been soaked in water. Add a few drops of dishwashing detergent. Use the cloth as a scrubber for the shower walls. Work the cloth in your hands until it forms a lather. Pour shower floors, sprinkle baking powder on the surface and then squirt the dishwashing soap over it in an “S-motion”. Scrub the floor using a wet scrubber. All shower surfaces should be rinsed with warm water. Use a microfiber dry cloth to wipe down the walls and floors. Shower curtains can be cleaned with a dampened microfiber cloth dusted with baking soda. Rinse with hot water.
2. Baking soda is a great way to clean bathroom drains.
Baking soda will keep bathroom drains flowing and odour-free. It can also be used to clean drains in the sink, shower, and tub once a week. After running hot water, pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain. Allow the baking soda to sit for 15 minutes. Use hot water to rinse away any musty odours or debris.
3. Baking soda is a great all-purpose cleaner.
Baking soda gives sponges an extra scrub power without being too abrasive. Sprinkle baking soda on a sponge with a surface that won’t scratch. Use the sponge on tubs, sinks and toilets to remove any stubborn residue.
4. Remove kitchen grease.
Mary Findley shares her favourite cleaning method for scorched stove drip trays. Place the pans in a small tub or sink. In the microwave, bring vinegar to a rolling boil. Pour the vinegar into the pans, sprinkle baking soda over the surface and then add the boiling liquid. Allow the mixture to sit for 30 min. Rinse and wipe with a damp sponge. Repeat as necessary.
5. Combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
Jill Nystul is a cleaning specialist and blogger who uses baking soda to make her kitchen cleaner. She mixes enough hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl to make a paste by adding 1/4 cup of baking soda. She uses her homemade cleaner to clean large and small appliances in the kitchen, remove stains caused by water from utensils and wipe away greasy residue on baking pans. The baking soda paste is also effective for cleaning tile grout.
6. Baking soda is a great way to clean your oven.
Leslie Reichert is a home-keeping expert and author. She recommends brushing a paste made of baking soda and a little water along the sides and bottoms of your oven. Spray the paste with vinegar and let it foam. Spray the paste as many times as necessary until baked-on food particles can be easily removed.
7. Make a sink cleaner.
Use baking soda and lemon juice to clean stainless steel sinks. Sprinkle baking soda on half a lime (or make a paste with lemon juice and baking powder) and scrub your sink basin. Go with the grain to avoid scratching the surface.
Even those dark water stains can be removed by cleaning stainless steel.
8. Unclog kitchen drains.
Baking soda will also speed up a slow kitchen drain. Shake a few tablespoons of baking soda in the drain. Pour heated vinegar into the drain to make the baking soda fizz and break up the clogs. Rinse the drain with boiling water.
9. Clean painted surfaces gently.
Painted surfaces need a gentle method of cleaning that will not damage the finish. To remove dirt and stains, sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge. Rub the sponge lightly on painted furniture and walls. Dry with a clean, dry cloth. This method is especially effective on greasy stains such as fingerprints and smudges.
How to clean walls to remove stains and scuffs
10. Wax-free and mop tile flooring.
Baking soda can be used to make a powerful floor cleaner. Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with warm water and mop your floors. Rinse. This method is not recommended for floors treated with wax, such as hardwood flooring, as it can damage the finish.
11. Add a laundry booster.
Baking soda keeps whites bright and colours vibrant. To each load of laundry, add 1/2 cup baking soda along with the regular detergent. This trick will also remove odours from dirty clothes.
12. Get rid of the smell of trash cans
Baking soda will neutralize any unpleasant smells coming from your kitchen garbage can. Sprinkle baking soda between layers of waste as it accumulates to reduce odours. This will keep your kitchen smelling good until you take out the garbage.
13. Refresh your carpets and upholstery.
To remove odours naturally from carpets and upholstery, sprinkle baking soda on the carpet or furniture and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, vacuum it up to remove the baking soda and any odours it has captured. Before adding the baking soda, add a few drops of your favourite essential oils.
14. Deodorize stinky shoes.
Shoes are the perfect place for bacteria that cause odours to thrive. Sprinkle baking soda evenly inside your shoes to eliminate odours. Shake out the residue after letting it sit for a few hours.