BAKING SODA (sodium bicarbonate) is normally found in the kitchen for baking, but can be even more useful around the house as a cleaning product! Baking soda’s gently abrasive quality, along with being non-toxic, is what makes it so great to clean with. It can replace your use of harsh chemicals or stinky abrasive powders that need to be rinsed cleanly away. Although it is not a disinfectant, it is safe and natural to use for scrubbing and for neutralizing odors. As a bonus, baking soda is inexpensive!
The best way to figure out when and where to use baking soda is to think of it as a scrub and an odor neutralizer. To scrub with baking soda, sprinkle it on the area that needs to be cleaned and scrub with a warm wet cloth. Alternatively, you can create your own scrub by adding a bit of water to the baking soda until it is the consistency of a paste. A few drops of your choice of essential oil (tea tree, peppermint) will even give it an antibacterial effect as well!
The following are a few favorite baking soda cleaning ideas that you can use throughout your home:
Toilet
Sprinkle the toilet with the baking soda, let sit for 30 minutes or so, spray with vinegar and scrub with the toilet brush.
Bathtub
Sprinkle throughout the tub and scrub with a wet cloth, or use your homemade baking soda paste. Remember, because you aren’t cleaning with chemicals, it will take a little more “elbow grease” to get the job done.
Air Freshener
Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into a pretty container (mason jar, small vase or other container that will easily hold the powdered ingredient) and add about 10 drops of essential oil. Give it a gentle shake back and fourth once in a while to release the scent into the air. You can easily refresh the mixture with a few more drops of oil.
Baby Toys
Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of water and use the solution to wipe down the toys, then wipe them with a clean damp rag and dry.
Walls
Remove those little handprints and crayon marks from the walls with a bit of baking soda on a damp cloth.
Sponges
Create a solution of hot water and baking soda (4 tablespoons to 1 quart water) and soak the sponges to remove musty sponge smell.
Dishes
Scrub pots and pans with sprinkled on baking soda and a warm wet scrubbing sponge, or let soak in a baking soda and hot water solution and then scrub.
Shoes
Sprinkle a little baking soda into shoes to absorb odors.
Use the ideas listed as a jumping off point! If you can scrub your sink with it, try your counter. If you can deodorize shoes with it, try a gym bag! Be creative and enjoy cleaning with this safe and natural scrub and odor neutralizer!
