It’s no secret that baking soda makes all sorts of baked goodies really fluffy. But did you know that it can be used for a myriad of household purposes too? Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is also effective at removing stains, dissolving grease, eliminating bad odor, unclogging drains and so much more. Read on to know some of the top uses of this powdery white stuff in making your home a better place.
Remove Gunk Stickers Leave Behind
Kids have really weird ways of trying to make the home look stellar, such as placing stickers everywhere! Removing stickers may be easy, but the same cannot be said for the gunk they leave behind. Deal with the problem by adding a few drops of water to baking soda, just enough to make a paste. Rub it into the gunk with your fingertips. Wipe off using a damp cloth.
Get Rid of a Clogged Sink
Plunger use doesn’t seem to yield any favorable result? Let baking soda to the job for you. Remove as much standing water as you can. Dump a cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow it with a cup of vinegar and plug the drain using a sink stopper. Wait for about 30 minutes, remove the sink stopper and pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain. Clog gone.
Safely Deal With a Crusty Stovetop
Commercially available stovetop cleaners give off fumes that can be bad for your health. A way to get rid of those grease and crusts marring your stovetop sans the toxic fumes is by generously sprinkling baking soda all over. Carefully pour boiling water on the top, just enough to dissolve baking soda. Let it stand there for about 30 minutes then scrub clean.
Clean and Deodorize Toilet Bowls
Use baking soda to make your toilet bowl sparkling clean and odor-free. Sprinkle a cup of baking soda into the toilet. Swill a cup of vinegar all over, making sure that it comes into contact with baking soda. Allow it to fizz and stay there for about 10 minutes to get those stubborn stains dissolved. Scrub with a toilet bowl brush then flush for a cleaner and fresher toilet.
Deodorize Closets, Storage Spaces, Etc.
Not happy with the way closets and other enclosed areas smell? Deal with any unpleasant odor simply by opening a box of baking soda and stashing it where necessary. To make the basement, attic or any other room in the house smell fresher, simply half fill your crock pot with water, throw in a few tablespoons of baking soda, and set it to low without the cover on.
Make Your Entire Home Smelling Fresh
Before you start vacuuming, dump a cup of baking soda into the vacuum bag. It’s also a wonderful idea to throw in some herbs in order to fill your entire home with delightful aroma. Simply add some of your preferred dried herbs into the vacuum bag. If using fresh ones, remember to crumple or break up the leaves to make those fantastic herbal smells really pop.
Remove Fresh Stains on Carpet
As soon as you notice the stain, immediately grab a paper towel to soak up as much of the liquid as you can. Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the trouble spot. Use your finger tips to rub the white powdery stuff into the fibers to absorb deep-seated stain. Allow baking soda to stay there for a couple of hours then use a vacuum cleaner to remove it.
Enjoy Whiter and Fresher Whites
Baking soda can soften water and make your favorite laundry detergent work better. Get started by placing your whites in the washing machine. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda and your preferred laundry detergent in the usual amount. Allow the wash cycle to complete. Before you start the rinse cycle, it’s a good idea to add another 1/2 cup of baking soda.
Eliminate Coffee Mug Stains
Dampen the stained areas and sprinkle some baking soda. Grab a sponge and scrub in the usual way to make your favorite coffee mug sparkle like new. If the stain refuses to go away, soak the mug in a mixture of baking soda and hot water overnight. The same procedure may also be used to effectively remove stains on plates, bowls, teapot, pans and others.
Spread the good news and let others see just how versatile and helpful baking soda is. If you got some nifty household uses for baking soda, don’t forget to share them too!
