When most people think of baking soda, recipes of cookies, bread, or other delicious treats come to mind. Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is an everyday household staple. Yet, many do not realize baking soda has various other uses beyond cooking. Some of the typical applications may actually surprise you.
Cleaning
When using baking soda as a cleaner, simply form a paste with warm water and apply the mixture to the object. Rinse and dry. Acting as a soft scrub, the mixture works on all sorts of everyday household appliances, including the microwave silver. The other ways to use baking soda when cleaning include:
- Unclog a Drain: When you mix baking soda with a cup of cider, you have the perfect mixture to unclog a drain.
- Laundry: Adding a small amount of baking soda generally about a ½ cup to your wash, helps to refresh your clothes without harsh chemicals.
- Flooring: Add about a ½ cup to your mop water. Baking soda can actually brighten your floors.
- Remove Stickers: Mixing baking soda with water to form a paste, the mixture will clean the residue off from stickers or labels.
- Stain Remover: Use baking soda to scrub the inside of plastic bowls or your coffer cup to remove unwanted stains.
Deodorizing
Sprinkling on various types of surfaces, baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer. From outdoor furniture to pet bedding, use baking soda to refresh odor-producing areas. If you want to try baking soda in other areas for deodorizing check out the following:
- Carpets: Sprinkle baking soda on your indoor carpets or inside your car. Allow the baking soda to sit for at least 30 minutes, and then vacuum as usual.
- Furniture: Baking soda is suitable for various soft surfaces. Evenly sprinkle the baking soda on couches or chairs, let set. Then, vacuum off.
- Kitty Litter Box: When changing your kitty litter box, sprinkle baking soda on the bottom to help combat smells.
- Tennis Shoes: Sprinkle lightly inside shoes to absorb orders.
- Bathroom: Sprinkle baking soda in the tub, toilet, and sink. Let stand for at least 15 minutes, clean, and rinse. The baking soda can help remove unpleasant odors.
- Refrigerator: Place an opened box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb unpleasant smells.
Personal Health
Use baking soda for your personal health.
- Toothpaste: Even though the taste may not be up to your liking, you can use baking soda as toothpaste. Simply, dip your toothbrush into a small amount of the baking soda, brush, and rinse.
- Antacid: Mixing around a teaspoon baking soda with a glass of water can reduce heartburn.
- Relieve Pain of Insect Bites: Mix baking soda with water to create a paste. Apply the thick mixture to the area of bee or insect bite. Leave directly on the inflicted spot for around 20 minutes to stop the pain.
In addition to the list above, baking soda combats weeds. Sprinkle baking soda in between patio blocks to keep the weeds from regrown.
The low cost is the best part of using baking soda in your household. The next time, you are shopping and a box or two to your cart to help with everyday cleaning and more.
