Green Cleaning: Uses for Baking Soda

Spring is here, which means time to get the house all good and clean! I feel like I'm constantly cleaning up after my two busy kids. But when it comes to a good deep clean, sometimes I worry about using some of the products because of the chemicals. And I worry about my little kids. I'm so excited to have Jenny from CleverCleaningTips here today talking about an alternative to all those chemicals: baking soda! Who knew?


Everyone wants a clean home, but equally important is keeping the house safe for friends and family.
A great way to keep your household free of harmful chemicals (which some people might be allergic to) is by switching from typical household cleaners to green cleaning products. One such product that is safe, easy, and cheap to use is your basic baking soda, easily found in your local grocery's baking aisle. But how exactly can you clean with baking soda? There are so many ways! Let's take a look at some examples.

• Keep away unpleasant odors by placing an open box of baking soda in an area where odors may pose a problem, such as cabinets or refrigerators. You can also use baking soda to combat the odor of smoke in your house.
• Use baking soda paste (just add a little bit of water to the baking soda) to clean bathroom fixtures, shower doors, stone tile, and surfaces. This also works on silverware in the kitchen. 
• You can clean nearly any surface just by sprinkling baking soda over it, then wiping clean with a damp cloth. 
• Stubborn toilet stains are easily removed with a baking soda and vinegar solution. Empty the mix into the toilet bowl, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub scrub with a toilet brush before flushing. 
• Baking soda may be used with vinegar to remove lime and make chrome shine.
• Use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to unclog shower and sink drains.
• Use an old toothbrush with a runny paste of baking soda to thoroughly clean your grout.
• You can wash vinyl shower curtains, appliques, and bath mats in your washing machine by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda with your detergent, then pouring in 1/2 cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle. Always let these air dry, as they may melt in your dryer.
• Vinyl floor are easily cleaned by sprinkling with baking soda, then cleaning with a sponge and drying thoroughly. 
• You can even use baking soda to replace your toothpaste! Just apply it to your toothbrush and then rinse with a baking soda and water mixture.
• Finally, baking soda is an easy way to remove burnt food from pots and pans or from the grill or stovetop.

As you can see, there are many ways to use baking soda for effective cleaning in your home. And compared to commercial cleaners, baking soda is both cheaper and more eco-friendly. So if you haven't already, why not give it a try? You won't be disappointed.

 


About the Author: Jenny Wilson is a full time mom and blogger who loves keeping her home clean and green. Jenny draws on her former cleaning services experience to share expert cleaning advice on her blog, CleverCleaningTips. She is also a firm believer that, with the right mindset, cleaning can be both easy and fun. :) -->