Using baking soda for cleaning has been a practice for ages.
Here are the many ways this common household substance can help move your chores along.
Baking soda is one of the most useful items in a Southern kitchen.
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Honestly, is there anything baking soda can’t do?
Baking soda is extremely absorbent, which is why it’s great for soaking up oil and grease.
It also acts as deodorizer, perfect for sprinkling on stinky gym shoes and freshening up refrigerators alike.
Plus its a perfect leavening agent forchocolate chip cookies,buttermilk biscuits, andsoda breads.
Make a paste of warm water and baking soda and scrub with a damp sponge.
Certainly, there are household cleaners out there that are meant for this system, specifically.
This same trick can be applied to your favorite stainless steel cookware.
Simply sprinkle the board with baking soda, scrub with a damp sponge, and rinse.
Don’t forget to tackle thatpesky dishwasher filterprior to running your cycle.
Keep The Fridge Fresh
This trick is almost as ancient as housework itself!
Why do we keep doing it?
Spray the bottom of the oven.
Let sit for 10 minutes, then sprinkle baking soda on top.
Let sit for 10 minutes and wipe clean.
Help remove stuck-on food by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and scrubbing away the residue.
Weve curated a list ofcleaning tipsto have your kitchen sparkling!
Bring the water to a simmer for eight to 10 minutes.
Give that thing a scrubbing with dish soap and hot water once your simmer has worked its magic.
As we’ve explained, using baking soda to clean does requiresome elbow grease.
Pop in the dishwasher when youre done.
Neutralize Trash Can Odors
Cut odors from thekitchen trashby periodically sprinkling baking soda in as waste accumulates.
When youre doing a deep clean, wash out the trash can with hot water and dish soap.
While it is still damp, sprinkle with baking soda.
Leave for 15 minutes, then rinse and allow to dry.
Let them sit overnight to freshen them up and fight stains.
This gives you a chance to recover nicely from storing that batch ofspaghetti and meatballsin your favorite container.
Renew Baking Sheets
Help restore your burntbaking sheetsto like-new condition by sprinkling baking soda all over them.
Add hydrogen peroxide to cover, and then add more baking soda on top.
Let sit for a few hours or overnight.
Wipe the solution away with a sponge to reveal a cleaner pan.
Repeat if necessary for tougher stains.
Clean it with baking soda to help remove cooked-on food.
Fill the slow-cooker pot with water just past the ring of cooked-on food.
Add a half cup each of distilled vinegar and baking soda, a little at a time.
Use one cup of each for a larger pot.
Put on the lid and turn the slow cooker to low for one hour.
Rinse and repeat for stubborn stains if needed.
For yellow stains, create a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water.
Apply to the yellowed area.
Rinse and repeat if needed.
Always test on a small area of the china to double-check it wont change the color or pattern.
Let that sit and foam for approximately 10 minutes.
Then flush with a pot of boiling water.
Most plumbers recommend cleaning drains monthly to prevent clogs from occurring in the first place.
After all, the effort and cost of doing so are minimal.
Scour Grout
Grout is often overlooked in the cleaning routine.
Make a paste of two parts baking soda with one part hydrogen peroxide.
Apply to the grout with an old toothbrush and then leave for 20 minutes.
Rinse with clean, cool water.
Clean Tile Floors
Cleaning tile floorsis a snap with baking soda.
Before you grab your mop, add half cup of baking soda into a bucketful of warm water.
Then mop your tile floors and rinse.
Note that baking soda should not be used on hardwood or waxed flooring as it can damage the finish.
Tackle Shower Limescale
Get rid of pesky limescale with a nontoxic scrub.
Rinse the residue with warm water.
(We are not even kidding.)
Leave the paste to set for 30 minutes and rinse in a cool water rinse cycle.
Do a quick cool-rinse cycle and let the item air dry.
The other advantage to this use is that fabrics also come out feeling softer.
This is the perfect approach if you are trying to freshen up your towels and sheets.
Heavier odors, like those left by perspiration, may require a baking soda soak prior to washing.
It has the same softening effects without heavy perfumes or chemicals that might trigger allergies.
Remember, its not recommended that you put baking soda in the detergent dispensers of front- or top-loading washers.
The baking soda can clump up and block the dispensers.
Clean The Washing Machine
Baking soda also helps keep your washing machine smelling fresh.
Once finished, wipe down the inside of the machine with a clean cloth to remove any residue.
Let it sit for a few minutes and then vacuum it up for a little deodorizing refresh.
Once you’ve seen the results from this tool, you won’t need to consider another method.
Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Then sprinkle baking soda over the mattress and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Vacuum thoroughly and re-make the bed.
Polish Silverware
Make a paste with 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water.
Rub the paste onto silverware with a clean cloth.
This is the moment you realize that this fresh glisten on your cutlery deserves adinner party.
Apply to the stain and allow to dry.
Vacuum up your DIYcarpet rescuerand take some time to admire the results.
Some materials are too delicate for it.
It also cant be combined with some substances.
Hereswhat not to cleanwith baking soda.
For starters, baking soda doesnt safely mix with everything.
Dont combine it with ammonia, bleach, alcohol, or chemical cleaners.
Chemical reactions from the combinations can cause dangerous fumes.
It also shouldnt be used on leather, marble, or fiberglass.
Always test in an inconspicuous area before using.
FoodSafety.gov.Eating a diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables benefits your health.
But its important to prepare them safely.
