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Loading...51 Fantastic Uses for Baking Soda
- a Care2 favorite by Melissa Breyer
- 1058 comments
Cleaning
13. Make a Surface Soft Scrub
For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile and sinks–even fiberglass and glossy tiles–sprinkle baking soda lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. For extra cleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, course salt and liquid dish soap—let it sit then scour off.
14. Handwash Dishes and Pots & Pans
Add 2 heaping tablespoons baking soda (along with your regular dish detergent) to the dish water to help cut grease and foods left on dishes, pots and pans. For cooked-on foods, let them soak in the baking soda and detergent with water first, then use dry baking soda on a clean damp sponge or cloth as a scratchless scouring powder. Using a dishwasher? Try these energy saving tips.
15. Freshen Sponges
Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solution to get rid of the mess (4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water). For more thorough disinfecting, use the microwave.
16. Clean the Microwave
Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.
17. Polish Silver Flatware
Use a baking soda paste made with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining sterling and silver-plate serving pieces.
18. Clean Coffee and Tea Pots
Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter off-tastes by washing mugs and coffee makers in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight in the baking soda solution and detergent or scrubbing with baking soda on a clean damp sponge.
19. Clean the Oven
Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of the oven. Spray with water to dampen the baking soda. Let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub, scoop the baking soda and grime out with a sponge, or vacuum, and rinse.
20. Clean Floors
Remove dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) from no wax and tile floors using 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water–mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor. For scuff marks, use baking soda on a clean damp sponge, then rinse. Read Natural Floor Cleaning for more tips on avoiding toxic floor cleaners.
21. Clean Furniture
You can make a homemade lemon furniture polish, or you can clean and remove marks (even crayon) from walls and painted furniture by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.
Read more: General Health, Green Kitchen Tips, Health, Holistic Beauty, Home, Natural Remedies, Non-Toxic Cleaning, Pets, Surprising uses for ..., baking soda, slideshow
Melissa Breyer
Melissa Breyer is a writer and editor with a background in sustainable living, specializing in food, science and design. She is the co-author of True Food (National Geographic) and has edited and written for regional and international books and periodicals, including The New York Times Magazine. Melissa lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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Oh no!
VIOLET S: I don't know about the rest of the folks out here; but you've confused the living dayligh…
uh, thanks lol
This looks delicious! My sister and I make a yummy vegan chickpea and veggie curry: http://yummyve…
thanks
1058 comments
+ add your ownAlot of good ideas! Thanks!
Great stuff...learned some new uses .
I knew it had a lot of uses. Learned a few more
If you burn your hand by touching a hot oven or pot handle, a good way to relieve the pain is to make a paste of baking soda with a little water added and leave it on to dry. If necessary cover with a gauze. The effect is immediate and you don't get blisters forming if you apply it early enough.
Thank you, found new usages for baking soda
We have completely replaced all the commercial cleaners with only vinegar and baking soda. We use it for cleaning, cooking (especially when making our own bread, add just 1 tsp of baking soda and some honey, instead of yeast), unclogging drains, and tons of other uses. Vinegar is a perfect companion for baking soda, if used rationally.
References: http://www.bakingsodavinegar.com/
Fantastic! I already use in many ways but there is more there that I have known. thanks!
I intend to try all these ways to be a clever and green homemaker :) I would like to suggest that for vegans and animal-lovers out there, we can choose to get baking soda brands that are not tested on animals. One brand that comes up when i googled 'baking soda not tested on animals' is Bob's Red Mill Baking Soda.
Thanks
Good ideas
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