10 Ways to Use Baking Soda Around the House

Baking soda is one of the most commonly used products around, there’s a reason you can buy it in large bags now. This is because it is not only used as a baking product, but it’s great for cleaning around the house and even personal care. Here are just a few of the many ways you can use baking soda in your home.

Unclogging a Sink

Kitchen sink drains can be notorious for getting clogged with food and other waste. Before you break out the chemicals or call a plumber, try baking soda and vinegar. Pour about one cup of baking soda and then one cup of vinegar down your drain and give this a few minutes to work. Next, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain to flush the residue. Repeat the process as needed, but if there’s no progress call a pro.

Removing Oil and Grease Stains

We’ve all struggled with finding a lone grease stain on our shirts after pizza night. Baking soda can make those stubborn stains vanish with a little bit of scrubbing. Lightly wet the stain with water and sprinkle some baking soda directly onto it. Allow the baking soda to settle into the stain for a moment and use an old toothbrush to scrub at the stain. Periodically check for progress and watch the stain vanish.

Polishing Your Silver

If you have a set of silver serving trays or utensils that’s starting to look a bit tarnished, bring on the baking soda. You can mix about a tablespoon of baking soda with a bit of water to create a gentle paste. Use a soft cloth to gently buff the paste all over your silver and then rinse and dry to reveal the shiny finish.

Boosting Your Laundry

After a while you may notice your clothes just don’t seem to look the same and have faded color. The next time you wash them, add your usual detergent and then throw in about one half cup of baking soda. The baking soda will brighten your clothes and give them a new life.

Cleaning and Deodorizing Dishwashers

If you’ve ever opened up your dishwasher and taken a step back to avoid the musty odor coming from within, it is probably time to clean it. Once you’ve cleaned your dishwasher, you can sprinkle one cup of baking soda at the bottom of the machine and run a hot rinse cycle. Next, place a bowl of vinegar on the top rack of the dishwasher and run another hot rinse cycle. Allow your machine to fully dry and check for that smell, repeat the process as needed.

Washing Your Produce

Whether you’ve brought home a haul from the farmers market or it was grocery day, you’ll want to clean your produce before eating or prepping. When you wash your produce under water, add a little bit of baking soda to scrub away any residue or debris. Allow your produce to dry and then place it in the refrigerator as usual until you need it.

Discouraging Weeds

During the warmer months when you’re starting to get your outdoor space ready for hangouts and gatherings, you probably noticed weeds starting to sprout. Did you know that baking soda can be a pretty powerful weed killer? Just sprinkle a bit between the cracks of the pavement or around the stones in your yard and refresh it every few days until the weeds have vanished.

Treating Itchy Bug Bites

Spending any amount of time outside during the spring and summer can result in numerous mosquito bites all over your arms and legs. Before you start scratching up a storm, you can treat the bites with a bit of baking soda and water. Mix the two into a paste and apply it to your bug bites daily to stop the itch and soothe the area. With any luck, the bites will be gone in time for you to get back to enjoying the outdoors.

Deodorizing Musty Carpets

If your home has carpeted floors or an assortment of area rugs, you may have noticed a musty smell starting to develop. You can sprinkle a light amount of baking soda all over the carpets or rugs, a little more in the high-traffic areas, and allow it to sit for fifteen to twenty minutes. Simply vacuum it up and check for any lingering odors before topping it off with a spritz of room spray. Repeat the process daily to treat any left over and long-lasting smells.

Relieving Heartburn

Some of our favorite foods can leave us feeling less than fabulous after eating. If you suffer from heartburn or indigestion after meals, try adding a tablespoon of baking soda to about half a cup of water. Drink this solution steadily after eating to help settle your stomach and ease the heartburn.

Did any of these tricks surprise you? Let us know your favorite baking soda hacks in the comments, we’d love to hear from you! If you’ve exhausted all the cleaning hacks around your house and need a little help, call us! Cleanzen Chicago offers a variety of cleaning services that can help you get your home looking its best all year.