Cleaning with Baking Soda

The use of baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) as the scientific name is, is not limited only to food and drink. It is a miraculous ingredient that can be used effectively for cleaning purposes.

The results of which will leave you spellbound and end your search for those perfect cleaning products for your kitchen, bathroom, clothes, and other household items. Let us take a look at how different articles can be cleaned using this common chemical found in almost every kitchen.

• Use baking soda and vinegar to clear a clogged drain. Pour down 1 cup of sodium bicarbonate in the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar. Mixing these two chemicals gives rise to a reaction that yields carbon dioxide.

• This results in foaming, thereby cleaning the drain. Leave the solution for about 15 minutes. Now pour hot water down the drain till you are sure it has cleared. Make this a weekly habit to keep the drains clean.

• Cleaning with the above-mentioned mixture is an effective way to remove mineral deposits around faucets and wash basins. Combining two tablespoons of vinegar with two tablespoons of NaHCO3 will give you a good scouring powder.

• Use a mixture of soda and vinegar to clear the build up of soap and grease in your bathtub.
• Soak your shower curtains in a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, and use a scrub to clear all the grime collection and the growth of mold. It will also get rid of the odor emanating from shower curtains due to extended usage.

• A toilet seat can be cleaned by using bicarbonate of sodium sprinkled on a soft cloth. Follow this by wiping it clean with a damp cloth. The inside of the toilet can also be made spotless by cleaning with vinegar and soda bicarbonate solution.

• Leave a cup of baking soda in the toilet to fight the stench. It also prevents the collection of moisture and loosens the buildup of dirt.

• Stains left behind on clothes due to sweating can be removed by soaking the area in a sodium bicarbonate - vinegar solution, and then washing it off with some lukewarm water.

• Clean cloth diapers by soaking them in a solution of baking soda. This will also get rid of the malodor. In the last rinse, add ½ a cup of vinegar to keep the diapers fresh.

• While doing laundry, remove tough stains by adding NaHCO3 along with detergent in the washing machine. You can also soak them before washing to ensure stain removal.
• While using bleach, adding ½ a cup of soda will make it more effective.

• Using bicarbonate of soda will help in keeping the kitchen clean. In case of small fires, such as electrical or grease fires, just tossing a handful of soda can put out the flames.

• Plastic cutting boards tend to retain the smell of food items that were cut on them, like garlic and onions. To get rid of these smells, scrub the plastic board with a paste of baking soda and lemon. Let it stay for about 30 minutes, and then rinse the paste with vinegar, followed by a thorough rinsing with water.

• Get rid of the awful reek emanating from your garbage can by sprinkling in some bicarb of soda at the bottom of the pail, and also in the garbage bag.

• Keep kitchen countertops and tiles clean by rubbing them with a paste of NaHCO3 and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) sprinkled on a fresh cloth, followed by wiping with a damp cloth. This will also clear grease marks and oil spills.

• If you have marble or granite counter tops, use the above-mentioned paste and water for stain removal. Apply the paste and cover it with a damp paper towel. Let it rest overnight and wipe it clean in the morning.

• If food dries out in a pan or gets burnt, it can be removed by sprinkling some soda at the base and soaking it overnight in hot water.
• Food containers also tend to develop stale smells. To remove these, soak them overnight in a solution of baking soda and hot water.

• All the silverware in the kitchen can be cleaned by using a 1:3 solution of NaHCO3 and water. Rub the paste on the items and rinse with warm water. This solution can also be used to keep stainless steel appliances sparkling. Just wipe them in the direction of the grains with a damp cloth after rubbing the paste.

• Stains on chinaware can also be removed by scrubbing and cleaning with hydrogen peroxide and sodium bicarbonate.

• Heat some baking soda solution in a glass bowl for 3 minutes in the microwave, to loosen the oil collection in the microwave. Wipe it clean. Do not heat for too long as this may cause an eruption inside the microwave.

• You can clean brass handles, figurines, etc., by wiping them with a paste of sodium bicarbonate and vinegar. Apply the paste with a cloth, allow it to dry, and then clean it with a fresh cloth.

• To remove pet odors and food smells from carpets, blot the stain, sprinkle some soda on the affected area, and then vacuum clean it.
• If someone smokes around the house, sprinkle some of this chemical at the base of the ashtray to reduce the smell of cigarettes.

• Make a solution of water, vinegar, and baking soda and pour it in a spray bottle. Use it to make glass, doors, and window panes spotless.

It is relatively safe to use this chemical, and it can be used to clean almost anything. So, before you go and pick up that expensive cleaning product, try cleaning with baking soda first. You will definitely not indulge in those products again!