12 Clever Uses for Baking Soda in Home Cleaning

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Baking soda is an affordable and versatile common household item useful in baking and cleaning. It is an eco-friendly cleaner with gentle abrasives and the added advantage of neutralizing odors.

Being non toxic by nature, it is very much in demand for families with young children and pets because this helps to keep all of their spaces clean without making them sick. Here are 12 clever uses for baking soda in home cleaning.

Deodorize Carpets and Rugs

Over time, carpets can trap odors from pets, cooking, or daily foot traffic. Baking soda is a powerful deodorizer that neutralizes these smells. Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over your carpet or rug, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then vacuum it up.

Unclog Drains

For a quick eco-friendly solution to slow drains, mix together half of a cup of baking soda with half a cup of vinegar. Pour the baking soda inside of the drain, then pour in a little bit of vinegar.When combined, the two will create a fizzing reaction, effectively helping to dissolve grease and grime.Rinse the drain with hot water after 15 minutes to eliminate remaining debris.

Deodorize and Clean Your Fridge

Food odors and spills can emanate from your refrigerator. Make a paste of baking soda and water to scrub the door, and neutralize odors in the process. Put an opened box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb residual odors, after you do a deep clean on your fridge.

Remove Tough Stains from Pots and Pans

Vintage Kitchen Items That Could Make You Rich — Photo Credit: Ernest_Roy/Pixabay

If you have burnt food or stubborn stains on your pots and pans, baking soda can help. Sprinkle baking soda generously over the affected area, add a little water to create a paste, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Scrub with a sponge or brush to lift away the stains easily.

Brighten Your Laundry

Adding baking soda to your laundry is also good practice as it is a powerful natural boost for your wash— whitening whites and freshening clothes all at once. Baking soda has a water softening effect so that your detergent can do its job properly and your clothes will be cleaner, smell fresher, and look brighter.

Revitalize Upholstery and Mattresses

Your couch, chairs or mattress can easily gather dust, sweat and odors over time. Just sprinkle some baking soda onto the surface of the fabric to deodorize it. Allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes, and then vacuum up the powder to neutralize odors and kill dust mites.

Clean Grease Stains on Kitchen Surfaces

Grease can be challenging to clean, especially on stovetops, countertops, and cabinets. Baking soda’s mild abrasiveness makes it perfect for scrubbing away grease without damaging surfaces. Apply a paste with water and baking soda to the greasy area, and scrub with a sponge. Rinse with water for a clean finish.

Polish Silverware

Baking soda is a fantastic agent for restoring the luster of your silverware. To do this, mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Gently apply the paste to your silver items using a soft cloth or sponge. Once polished, rinse them with water and dry them thoroughly with a clean towel.

Clean Grout and Tiles

If you do not regularly clean up the grout between tiles than your bathroom or kitchen may look dirty and dingy. Wet a sponge, sprinkle baking soda on it or a brush and scrub your apartment grout lines to get rid of dirt build up and mildew.

Deodorize Shoes

To eliminate shoe odors caused by sweat and bacteria, use baking soda. Sprinkle it inside your shoes overnight to absorb moisture and neutralize smells, then shake out the powder in the morning. This simple method keeps your shoes fresh.

Remove Mold From Shower Curtain

Over time, mildew could form on shower curtains and they can give a stench. Make a paste of baking soda and water, scrub the curtain with a sponge or brush then rinse well to remove all traces and hang up in an open spot till it’s dry.

Clean Your Oven

Baking soda is a wonderful idea when it comes to getting rid of grime and grease in your oven. Mix baking soda and water to form a paste, apply it in the oven interior, allow it to remain overnight. In the morning, simply wipe away the mixture and any loosened dirt or grime with a damp cloth.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.