Cleaning with Baking Soda

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Cleaning with Baking Soda
by Noël-Marie Taylor

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In the kitchen

The kitchen is the most likely place to find baking soda. Don't stop with using it for baking, though!

* A box or small bowl of baking soda in the refrigerator, freezer, or any cupboard will keep away unpleasant odors.

* Similarly, baking soda will keep away garbage odors; sprinkle the bottom of the pail, and then sprinkle again after you put a new bag in.

* Grease fires can be put out by sprinkling them with baking soda.

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In the Bathroom

* To remove stubborn stains from most surfaces, use a baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda, one part water). Apply, let stand, then scrub or wipe clean.

* Hairbrushes and combs can be cleaned in a baking soda solution.

* To help avoid clogged drains, pour 1 / 4 cup baking soda down weekly. Rinse through with hot water.

All Around the House

* To remove scents from a carpet, sprinkle with baking soda. Let stand for at least fifteen minutes, then vacuum. Repeat as needed.

* If there is a smoker in the house, put baking soda in the bottom of each ashtray to keep away some of the stale smoke smell.

* Baking soda in the litterbox will help prevent odors.

* To quickly clean pets and remove "wet dog" odor, sprinkle with baking soda and brush out their fur.

* To help remove spills, blot as much as possible. Then clean as you normally would. When finished, sprinkle with baking soda. Vacuum. This will decrease the chance that some of the spilled item will remain in the carpet and cause unpleasant odors later.

* Children's toys can be cleaned using 1 / 4 cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water. Submerge in this mixture (or wipe with a cloth dampened in it), then rinse with clear water.

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