Doing chores is never much fun, but one of the worst things about having to clean the house is that it's actually expensive. All those cleaning products are pricey!
What if we told you that it’s possible to have a sparkling clean home with zero chemicals, no strong and icky odors, and no switching back and forth between five or six different cleaners, all for pennies on the dollar? Ready to sign up? Can you guess the secret weapon? As it turns out, it’s so simple: baking soda!
If you haven’t been introduced to the amazing cleaning power of baking soda, we’ve got you covered with a bunch of different uses for this natural, inexpensive cleaner. Some people think that baking soda is just for cooking and baking, but that’s not true!
And no, this cool ingredient isn’t just a fridge deodorizer. It’s so versatile that you can literally clean almost anything with it! Plus, it can be mixed with other ingredients like lemons or vinegar for stronger cleaning power.
1. Cooktop Cleaner
No matter what type of cooktop you have, it’s probably one of the most difficult surfaces to clean in your entire home. And since it’s pretty easy to scratch a glass cooktop, it’s not like you can attack stains with a harsh cleaner or sponge. If you’ve resigned yourself to the mess that is sticky black spots all over your cooktop, rest assured that help is on the way. Simply sprinkle baking soda all over the surface, then gently rub it into a paste with a warm, soapy cloth. Let it sit, and then rinse with warm water.
2. Tub/Tile/Grout Cleaner
Bathroom cleaners are some of the most harsh chemicals out there. But if you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease, baking soda can be a super-effective tub, tile, and grout cleaner. Simply mix into a paste with some water, scrub it into your tile and grout, and let it sit awhile before scrubbing it off. The gritty texture allows the baking soda to penetrate deep into those annoying, hard-to-reach areas of the grout while at the same time busting through built-up soap scum and mold on your tub. For extra cleansing power, spray with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water before rinsing.
3. Carpet Cleaner
It’s not often that cleaning is fun. But what could be more fun than setting off a “carpet volcano” over your next major rug spill? The next time you’re facing a huge spill that’s quickly absorbing into your carpet, simply shake baking soda all around it (be careful to sprinkle all the way to the edges), let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then pour vinegar on top — channeling seventh-grade science class! For mild stains, place a towel over the area once it stops fizzing, and press to dry it up a bit. If your stain is bad, you might need to gently scrub the area. In either case, follow up with a thorough vacuuming once the vinegar dries to remove any excess baking soda.
4. Hairbrush Cleaner
Got gunk stuck in your brush? Just like your hair, your brushes need regular cleaning to avoid product buildup. Luckily, the solution is super simple. Just remove any excess hair from the brush, then soak it in a solution of baking soda and water for an hour. It’ll come out good as new!
5. Jewelry Cleaner
If you’ve got dirty or tarnished jewelry, try gently rubbing with a thick paste of baking soda and water to get that shine back. Baking soda is a great way to polish silver and gold jewelry, and you can even use it on your diamonds! Just be sure to avoid using baking soda on delicate gems like pearls or opals, since it can scratch their fragile surfaces.
6. Grease Cleaner
Sometimes it seems like everything within five feet of your oven gets covered in grease over time. And that’s a bummer, since built-up grease can be notoriously hard to clean. So we’re here to help: Simply create a paste of baking soda mixed with water, and give everything a good scrub-down to have it looking shiny and new in no time. This trick works on countertops, cabinets, drawers, and even your backsplash. Follow up by rinsing with water or a gentle spray cleaner to remove the residue, and BOOM — done.
7. Mattress Cleaner
Cleaning your mattress doesn’t have to be a once-a-year thing you do as part of your spring-cleaning madness. It’s so easy to refresh your stale mattress by giving it a shake of baking soda. The baking soda draws out odors and icky dust mites, allowing you to vacuum them away.
8. Wall Cleaner
It’s hard to fully grasp the level of wall scuffs you’ll deal with in your lifetime until kids enter the scene. And trust us, it’s a lot. Luckily, there’s an easy and inexpensive way to deal — you guessed it: baking soda. Mixed with water and formed into a paste, baking soda will effectively remove most wall stains. Got permanent marker art? Sadly, you’ll probably have to bring out the big guns. But those everyday scuffs and marks that seem to accumulate out of nowhere won’t stand a chance against baking soda!
9. Pet Bed Cleaner
Is Fido’s bed smelling a little funky lately? We get it. Pet beds can certainly be challenging to keep clean, and the smell often seems to permeate your whole house. Keep things fresh by giving your furry friend’s resting places a shake or two of baking soda on the regular, following with a thorough vacuum session.
10. Washing Machine Cleaner
If your clothes are coming out of the wash smelling less than fresh, it might be time to clean your washing machine. Today’s washing machines require much more frequent cleaning than you might think, especially if you have a front-loading model. Luckily, baking soda makes a perfect natural cleanser for the inside of your machine. Start a large, hot load (without any clothing, of course!) in your washer and add both baking soda and vinegar to power away buildup and smelly mildew.
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