It’s always the simplest things that are the most effective. How possibly could an ingredient like baking soda be such an amazing cleaning agent? Like the lemon and vinegar, baking soda does wonders for your home cleaning chores.
This ingredient is not only a common household item but also highly inexpensive. You can find it anywhere. If you like to bake, then you would definitely have it in your inventory.
What is Baking Soda?
Commonly known as Sodium Bicarbonate, this is a chemical that is highly alkaline. It is used in several applications including pest control, corrosion removal, pH increase, disinfectant, medical uses and as a cleaning agent.
Baking Soda for Cleaning Chores
Here is how you can use this simple ingredient as a cleaning agent.
- For Removing Odors
An enclosed space if left unattended on ventilated can leave a foul odor. This usually happens with refrigerators, freezers, and wardrobes. To counter this, you can place a bowl or sprinkle some baking soda. Similarly, it can remove the smell of stale food from containers.
- Cleaning Silverware, and Cookware
Baking soda is commonly used for cleaning tarnish from silverware. Likewise, it is also actively used for removing rust. Sodium Bicarbonate changes the chemical composition of the rust which makes it soluble in water. Thus making it possible to clean it away.
You can mix Backing Soda with a little water to make a paste out of it. With this, you can remove heavy stains from your cookware, silverware, hardware, and surfaces.
Soaking burnt bottoms of cookware in baking soda and vinegar overnight will not only clean it but also leave a refreshing smell.
- Cleaning Bathroom and Kitchens
Some of the heaviest stains can be found in the bathroom and kitchen. Your bathtub, shower, sink and toilet are some of the dirtiest areas of the home. You can use the disinfectant properties along with the abrasive properties of the baking soda to make it hygienic and clean.
You can even create stronger concoctions by mixing baking soda with other ingredients. For example, you can mix baking soda, liquid soap, and vinegar to make a deep cleansing solution.
- Opening Clogged Drains
Baking Soda can also be used as a preventative for drains that clog too easily. In fact, you can even use it to open already clogged drains. By mixing baking soda and vinegar with hot water you can unclog most household drains. You will need to pour the concoction and then cover the drain for it to produce the effect.
- For Carpets
You can remove weak and greasy stains from the carpets using baking soda too. You can start off by sprinkling the baking soda on the stain. You will need to let it sit there for a few hours or even overnight for it to absorb the grease. Once you have given ample time, just vacuum the area.
Along with removing the stain, the baking soda should also remove the odor originating from the area.
- For Laundry
Just like with carpets, baking soda can also be used for removing stains from the clothes. Depending on the degree of the stain, you may either want to pre-clean the particular clothes or mix the baking soda with the washing detergent for the load.
Likewise, you can make a habit to mix some baking soda with your washing detergent to further remove odors.
Conclusion
With all these applications, baking soda may sound like a miracle cleanser. In fact, in many ways it is. It is cheap, commonly available, and can be mixed with other organic ingredients to become a deep cleanser. In most occasions, baking soda can succeed where even some of the most expensive chemical agents fail.
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Author Bio:
Sayeen Bahar is the admin behind TheDustMaid.com. Cleaning is a skill that requires the right tools for the right job. Follow our Pinterest page to learn more
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