Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is widely used in cooking and baking. But, did you know it has a vast range of additional household benefits too? This post is dedicated to discussing the 12 most effective ways to use baking soda to clean your home:
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Unclog Drains
Never pour harsh chemicals into your drain, instead, try baking soda and vinegar mixture to unclog your slow drains. Simply, pour a cup full of baking soda into the drain and pour some hot vinegar over the top. Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes and flush with some boiling water.
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DIY Oven Scrub
A greasy oven or stove can pose a serious cleaning challenge. Instead of taking a chemical route to get rid of the oven stains, use baking powder and salt to clean it with perfection. Mix baking soda and salt in equal quantities and form a paste by adding some water or vinegar. Apply this mixture all over your oven and let it sit for 24 hours. Make sure to spray some water periodically as it will keep the mixture soft and active. Wipe with a clean cloth.
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Clean Ceramic Cooktops
There is nothing worse than scouring caked-on food residue on stovetops. Fortunately, a mixture of baking soda and water can help you get rid of the gunk. Mix 2tbsp of baking soda with some water to make a thick paste. Spoon this mixture on top of your cooktop and leave for several minutes. Scrub to remove residue and wipe dry.
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Sink Cleaner
While there are hundreds of chemical-based sink cleaners available on the market, it’s always great if you opt for a natural and chemical-free way to clean your kitchen sinks. To make your sink sparkling clean, sprinkle some baking soda onto a towel and thoroughly buff the surfaces. Rinse with hot water.
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Remove Fridge Odor
Place a bowl full of baking soda into your fridge to get rid of unpleasant odors. You can even use a paste of baking soda and vinegar to refresh your refrigerator from inside.
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Scour a Pressure Cooker
To clean food residue on your slow cooker, pour some water and baking powder into the pot and cook for 3 hours. This process will soften up the caked-on residue. Remove from heat and set aside for another couple of hours. After 3 to 4 hours, pour the water out, sprinkle baking soda on a sponge and scour well. Wipe with a damp cloth.
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A Natural Washing Machine Cleaner
Cleaning a front-load washer isn’t a big deal if you have baking soda available in your pantry. Pour ¾ cup of baking soda into the detergent cup and run a cycle with hot water. You can repeat this process monthly to deodorize your appliance.
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A DIY Toilet Cleaner
Take equal quantities of baking soda and borax and make a dry mixture. Pour some vinegar onto the toilet stains, sprinkle prepared mixture over the top. Let it rest for half an hour, then wipe and flush.
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Remove Grout Stains
Baking soda mixed with bleach and water will bash tough grout stains on walls or flooring. Make sure to wear gloves before using this mixture on your floors.
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An Effective Carpet Cleaner
To make your carpets and rugs look and smell clean, sprinkle some baking powder to absorb moisture, leave for an hour or two and vacuum.
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Deodorize Your Mattress
Yes, you heard it right. You can even deodorize your mattress by using baking soda. Simply, sprinkle some baking soda on top of your mattress. Let it rest for 10 minutes and vacuum.
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Make an All-Purpose Cleaner
To make an all-purpose cleaner that can perfectly work on any surface, mix 1 cup baking soda with ½ cup liquid soap, 2tsps vinegar, and ½ cup water. Mix all these ingredients and fill in the spray bottle. This mixture can be used to clean your stovetops, kitchen counters, and bathroom.
Baking soda is an affordable and effective ingredient that contains wonderful cleaning and deodorizing properties. Take a hint from this post and make your home look and smell better than ever before.
Happy Cleaning!