Cleaning with Baking Soda

Looking for a safe and effective way to clean your home without toxic chemicals? Look no further than your supermarket baking aisle. Sodium bicarbonate (or baking soda) is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of carbon, sodium hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Highly valued for both its baking and its cleaning abilities, baking soda has been used since the time of the Ancient Egyptians. When used alone, or when paired in the right amounts with other non-toxic household substances, baking soda can be an amazing household cleaner.

Bathtub and Tile Scrub: Baking soda is an outstanding scrubbing agent for high-gloss surfaces like fiberglass and tile. This makes it a perfect scratch-free cleaner to remove residual buildup from sinks, tubs, and tile. To clean, simply moisten the area to be scrubbed and sprinkle with baking soda. Then scrub with a sponge. For vertical surfaces, sprinkle baking soda directly onto wet sponge and scrub entire surface until all funk is removed. Rinse the surface thoroughly, using the rinsed sponge to aid in removal of cleanser residue. Dry if desired.

Grout Cleaner: Another amazing use for baking soda is as a grout cleaner. Mixed with a couple of other household items, this scouring wonder cleaner will make short work of any residual build-up on your grout lines. Just mix two parts baking soda with one part hydrogen peroxide, add in a couple of drops of dish soap, and pour into a squeeze bottle with a largish opening on the spout. Use the squeeze bottle to apply the cleanser mix to the grout lines, allowing to sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing with a sponge and rinsing. A quick note of caution: wear gloves with this one. While baking soda is mild to your epidermis, hydrogen peroxide can be very damaging if left in prolonged contact with your skin.

Laundry Freshener: Have some especially funky sports uniforms to wash, or a load of towels you accidentally left sitting in the washer for a few days? Try this simple and effective laundry deodorizing trick. Substitute ½ cup of baking soda and ½ cup of white vinegar for laundry soap, then wash on hottest setting safe for the fabric (see clothing manufacturer label). Wash again with your usual laundry detergent on normal temperature settings, and dry as garment requires.

Carpet Deodorizer: Carpets can get funky, so to freshen up why not try baking soda? Sprinkle carpet with baking soda and allow to sit for 15 minutes before vacuuming as usual. Really want to work that cleaning power deep into the fibers? Use a clean broom or other brush to lightly go over carpet around halfway into the 15-minute wait. Want to add a natural aroma of freshness to your space? Use a fork to mix a couple of drops of an essential oil of your choosing into the baking soda before sprinkling on carpet.

Deodorizing and containing no harsh chemicals, baking soda can be used alone or in combination with other common non-toxic household products to power through some of your toughest messes. Best part? Sold in large boxes for very reasonable prices, baking soda is one of the most cost-effective cleaners you could choose for your family.