Operation Deep Clean for guests is currently underway at my house, which means I’m glamming it up in sweatpants and dumping baking soda on everything. Okay, maybe not dumping, but certainly using it in every room. Expired baking soda – which can cause recipes to fall flat – still works beautifully for cleaning and other applications.
Not only is natural and non-toxic, it’s cheap and it WORKS. Here’s how I use it around my house:
Cleaning With Baking Soda
1. Make a soft scrub – This all-purpose version makes sinks, tubs and counters shine
2. Use it as scouring powder – You can use it as a solo ingredient or with a few other ingredients to give it more cleaning power. I use the scouring powder recipe pictured above.
3. Freshen and deodorize carpets – Mix one cup baking soda with 18-20 drops essential oil (if desired – I like lavender and frankincense) and sprinkle over rug. Allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes, then vacuum.
4. Remove rust from cast iron cookware
5. Deodorize garbage cans – Sprinkle a little in the bottom of the can before placing a fresh bag in to keep odor under control. If a deeper clean is needed, mix one cup of baking soda in one gallon of hot water, then pour it into the bottom of the can and allow it to soak overnight.
6. Soak funky sponges – Fill a mason jar with hot water and stir in 3-4 tablespoons baking soda. Soak for an hour, then rinse.
7. Deodorize stinky shoes – Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 2-3 drops essential oil (if desired – I use lavender or tea tree) and sprinkle inside the shoe. Allow to sit overnight, then take them outside and shake them out before wearing.
8. Make your oven look like new – This method requires more elbow grease than store bought brands which use solvent, but you can rest assured that it doesn’t fill your kitchen with noxious fumes. You’ll need 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup vinegar and water. Mix 1 cup of baking soda with water until you have a spreadable paste. Remove oven racks and place them in the sink to soak in hot water. Using a damp sponge, spread the paste throughout the inside of the oven, avoiding the vents. Turn on the oven to 200° Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, then turn off the oven and leave the door open. Let the mixture work for about half an hour, then pour the water out of your spray bottle and pour in 1⁄4 – 1/3 cup vinegar. Spray the entire surface with vinegar and allow to bubble up. Dip your sponge in the remaining vinegar and scrub all surfaces. Use fine steel wool on tough spots if needed. Rinse and wring out your sponge when it gets gunky, then dip it back in the vinegar and continue to wipe away grease and grime. Once the oven is clean wipe it down with water and dry with a soft cloth.
9. Keep your clothes hamper smelling fresh – Place baking soda with a few drop of essential oil (if desired) in a sachet and toss in the bottom of the hamper.
10. Use as a toilet scrub – Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 8 drops lemon or tea tree essential oil (if desired) and sprinkle into toilet bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for about 30 minutes, then scrub.
11. Clean your toothbrushes – According to The Children’s Oral Health Institute, you can add 2 teaspoons to 1 cup of water and soak your toothbrushes to clean them effectively. (source)
12. Deodorize your fridge – Place a box in the fridge to absorb odor.
13. Absorb litter box odor – Place baking soda at the bottom of the box to absorb odors.
14. Deodorize lunch boxes/bag – Sprinkle lunch box/bag and allow to sit for 30 minutes (or overnight), then rinse.
15. Freshen Fido’s bed – Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 8-10 drops essential oil (if desired – I like lavender and frankincense) and sprinkle over rug. Allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes, then vacuum.
16. Clean a scorched pot/pan – Follow these instructions.
17. Remove stains from coffee and tea mugs – Sprinkle a little baking soda inside the cup and scrub with a damp sponge. Voila! Like new again.
18. Use it to make homemade adhesive remover.
Personal Care
1. Brighten up your smile with this tooth scrub – I use this recipe about once a week to keep stains from building up. (Turmeric powder is also amazing for whitening teeth.)
2. Homemade Deodorant – Here’s my original recipe (pictured above), and here’s my sensitive skin formula.
3. Exfoliate – Wet face with warm water, add a teaspoon or two of baking soda to your palm and add water until it forms a thick paste. Gently massage in circles over your face, avoiding the eye area. Rinse and follow with a toner to restore pH balance.
Natural Remedies
1. Soothe a sunburn – This remedy is recommended by Seattle Children’s Hospital.
2. Relieve itchy bug bites – Make a paste with baking soda and water and dab on bites to neutralize the itching.
3. Because I know someone will ask, yes you can add baking soda to water and drink it to ease heartburn symptoms. However I’d personally avoid that approach – here’s why, and this is what I’d do instead.
Did I miss anything? How do you use baking soda?
Continue reading 22 Baking Soda Uses for Cleaning, Personal Care & Remedies...
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