Baking Soda Tips & Tricks
Explore the remarkable adaptability of baking soda, known as bicarbonate of soda, stretching beyond its traditional baking role. Join us today at Lia Rose Simply Home where we will discover the many household uses of baking soda. Learn how it seamlessly integrates into your daily cleaning routine, delivering extraordinary results you won't want to miss.
When it comes to household cleaning, it's always a delight to find natural and effective solutions that do wonders without harmful chemicals. One such miraculous product that has been trusted for generations is baking soda. Known for its versatility, baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda, offers a myriad of benefits that can transform your cleaning routine. In this blog post, we'll dive into the remarkable advantages of using baking soda as a powerful, eco-friendly cleaning agent. From tackling tough stains to eliminating odors, let's discover the many ways baking soda can elevate your cleaning experience.
I choose to reduce toxins in my home, so I make most of my cleaning products with all-natural ingredients. Homemade solutions work better in my experience and are not only natural but also much more budget-friendly. Having chemical-free and cost-effective options is a definite win-win for me.
For instance, my DIY scouring scrub with baking soda yields fantastic results. You can conduct a simple experiment by cleaning your kitchen sink first with your usual store-bought cleaner and then immediately after use this homemade scouring scrub. You'll likely notice that the baking soda turns brown as it picks up residue left behind by the store-bought cleaner.
DIY Scouring Scrub
Baking soda is renowned for its ability to absorb and neutralize unpleasant odors. It works by binding to odor-causing molecules and eliminating them, leaving the area smelling fresh.
How to remove odor from carpeting
To make your homemade carpet freshener, you'll need 1 cup of baking soda and 20 drops of optional essential oil. You can use a Mason jar, jelly jar, or any airtight container you have on hand. If you have a Mason jar with a lid and ring, you can create a sprinkle top by cutting a circle from a cereal box the size of the Mason jar ring and poking holes in it.
NOTE Baking soda alone effectively absorbs odor, the essential oil is an optional serving only to add a pleasant scent.
Directions
1. Fill your jar with ½ cup of baking soda.
2. Add 10 drops of essential oil and stir.
3. Add the remaining ½ cup of baking soda.
4. Add 10 more drops of essential oil and stir again.
5. Store the mixture in an airtight container.
How to use DIY carpet freshener
Using your DIY carpet deodorizer is easy and effective:
1. Sprinkle the all-natural carpet freshener evenly on the carpet.
2. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes to work its magic.
3. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove the deodorizer and any trapped odors.
For stubborn odors, you can leave the deodorizer on the carpet overnight and vacuum it up in the morning for enhanced freshness.
DIY Scouring Scrub
Baking soda and coarse salt create an excellent scouring scrub, especially for stainless steel sinks. You'll be astonished by how effectively this cleaner removes dirt and grime. As you scrub, you'll notice the baking soda turning brown from the extracted grime. For a test, clean your sink with a store-bought cleaner first, then immediately use this DIY scouring scrub to see the noticeable difference it makes. Finish by rubbing a small amount of olive oil over the sink for an incredible shine.
All-natural scouring scrub recipe
1 cup of Borax
1 cup of Baking Soda
1 cup of salt
Combine the ingredients in an airtight container and mix thoroughly.
To clean a surface, sprinkle some of the scouring powder on the surface, and with a damp sponge (add more water as needed) clean the surface then rinse.
Remove odors from the fridge
Refrigerator Deodorizer
Place an open box or small dish of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb and neutralize unpleasant odors.
How to remove odor from the dishwasher
To eliminate odors from your dishwasher using baking soda, follow these steps:
1. Empty the dishwasher: Ensure there are no dishes or items inside the dishwasher.
2. Sprinkle baking soda: Sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher.
3. Run a short cycle: Set the dishwasher to a short, hot water cycle. Start the cycle so that the baking soda gets distributed and begins to work on the odors.
4. Pause the cycle: After the dishwasher has filled with water and begun the wash cycle, pause it and let the baking soda and water sit for about 15-20 minutes.
5. Complete the cycle: Resume the dishwasher cycle and let it finish.
6. Wipe down: Once the cycle is complete, open the dishwasher and wipe down the interior, including the door gasket and any rubber seals, with a damp cloth.
7. Leave the door open: Leave the dishwasher door ajar for a while to allow any remaining moisture to evaporate.
Laundry Brightener
Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with your regular laundry detergent. Add it to the wash cycle to help lift stains and brighten whites.
Stain Remover
How to use baking soda to remove stains
1. Preparation: Identify the stained areas on your laundry.
2. Create a Paste: Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to create a paste. The consistency should be thick enough to spread over the stain.
3. Apply the Paste: Gently apply the baking soda paste to the stained area. Make sure to cover the entire stain with a thin layer of paste.
4. Let it Sit: Allow the paste to sit on the stain for about 15-30 minutes. This will give the baking soda time to work on breaking down the stain.
5. Scrub (if necessary): Depending on the fabric and the stain, you might need to gently scrub the area with a soft brush or cloth to help loosen the stain.
6. Rinse: After the paste has had time to work, rinse the fabric thoroughly with cold water.
7. Check the Stain: Check if the stain has been removed. If it's still visible, you might want to repeat the process or try an alternative stain-removal method.
8. Wash Normally: If the stain is gone, wash the fabric as you normally would. If you're concerned about any residue, you can rinse the fabric again before washing.
Remember that baking soda can be abrasive, so it's a good idea to test this method on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to ensure it doesn't damage the material. Additionally, not all stains will respond to baking soda treatment, so you might need to use other stain removal methods for certain types of stains.
Household Cleaner
Ingredients & Instructions
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap
1. In a small bowl, combine the baking soda and water to form a paste.
2. Add the liquid dish soap to the paste and mix thoroughly until well combined.
3. Your baking soda kitchen cleaner is now ready to use!
How to Use
1. Apply the baking soda cleaner directly to the surface you want to clean (countertops, sinks, stovetops, etc.).
2. Use a damp sponge or cloth to scrub the surface gently in circular motions.
3. For stubborn stains or grease, let the cleaner sit on the surface for a few minutes before scrubbing.
4. Rinse the surface thoroughly with water and wipe it dry with a clean cloth.
This baking soda cleaner is effective at removing stains, grease, and grime from kitchen surfaces. It's also safe, non-toxic, and won't leave any harsh chemical residues behind, making it an excellent option for maintaining a clean and healthy kitchen environment.
Grout Cleaner
How to clean grout with baking soda and peroxide
Making a grout cleaner with baking soda is easy. Here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients & Instructions
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
1. In a bowl, mix the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste-like consistency.
2. Add the liquid dish soap to the mixture and stir until well combined.
3. Apply the mixture to the grout lines using a small brush or an old toothbrush.
4. Allow the cleaner to sit on the grout for about 10-15 minutes to penetrate and loosen dirt and stains.
5. Scrub the grout lines with the brush to remove dirt and grime.
6. Rinse the area with clean water to remove any residue.
7. Repeat the process for stubborn stains or heavily soiled grout.
This homemade grout cleaner with baking soda is effective at removing dirt, stains, and mildew, and it's a natural and affordable option for keeping your grout looking clean and fresh.
How to wash cloth diapers and remove odor with baking soda
Using baking soda for cleaning cloth diapers is a great natural and non-toxic option. Here's a simple method to do it:
1. Pre-wash: Before the main wash, you can do a pre-wash with just water to remove any solid waste from the diapers.
2. Main wash: For the main wash, follow these steps:
a. Start by filling the washing machine with hot water.
b. Add your regular detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions.
c. Next, add half a cup to one cup of baking soda to the water. This will help neutralize odors and break down stains.
d. Place the cloth diapers into the machine and run a long wash cycle. Make sure to use the appropriate water level for your load size.
3. Rinse: After the main wash, do an extra rinse cycle to ensure all detergent and baking soda residue is removed from the diapers.
4. Drying: Line-drying in the sun is an excellent way to naturally bleach and disinfect cloth diapers further.
Remember to always check the care instructions provided by the diaper manufacturer, as some cloth diaper materials may have specific washing requirements. Additionally, avoid using fabric softeners or bleach, as they can reduce the absorbency of the cloth diapers over time. Baking soda is an eco-friendly and gentle way to keep your cloth diapers fresh and clean for your little one.
Fruits and Vegetables
Washing fruits and vegetables with baking soda is a simple and effective way to help remove dirt, pesticides, and some contaminants. Here's how to do it:
Ingredients & Materials:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Baking soda
- Water
- Large bowl or sink
- Strainer or colander
- Clean kitchen brush (optional)
1. Prepare the Solution:
Fill a large bowl or sink with water. For every gallon of water, add about 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda. Mix the baking soda into the water until it dissolves.
2. Soak the Produce:
Place the fruits and vegetables into the baking soda solution. Make sure they are fully submerged. Allow them to soak for 10-15 minutes. This soaking time will help loosen dirt and some pesticide residues.
3. Scrub (if needed):
For items with thicker or rougher skin, such as cucumbers, potatoes, or carrots, you can use a clean kitchen brush to gently scrub the surface while they're submerged in the solution. This can help remove dirt more effectively.
4. Rinse Thoroughly:
After the soaking period, remove the produce from the solution and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. Make sure to rinse away any traces of baking soda and loosened dirt.
5. Dry and Store:
Place the rinsed fruits and vegetables on a clean towel or in a strainer to drain excess water. Once they are dry, they can be stored or used as you normally would.
Notes
- This method is effective for produce with thicker skins or those that can handle soaking, such as apples, cucumbers, carrots, and potatoes.
- For delicate fruits like berries, grapes, and leafy greens, you may want to skip the scrubbing step and simply soak them for a shorter period of time to avoid damaging the skin or leaves.
- Baking soda is effective at removing certain types of pesticide residues, but it may not eliminate all contaminants. Washing with water alone is also important.
- Always rinse produce thoroughly after using baking soda to ensure that no residue remains.
- Organic produce and items from local farmers' markets may have fewer pesticide residues, but it's still a good practice to wash them.
Remember that washing with baking soda is just one step in ensuring the cleanliness of your fruits and vegetables. It's also important to handle and store produce correctly to minimize the risk of contamination.
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