Our favorite cookies are made with a pinch of baking soda. So we understand if it seems unexpected that a cookie ingredient doubles as an all-purpose natural cleaner! This household staple is, however, one of the first things we reach for, not just when we’re baking, but also when we’re cleaning. Detoxing the mattress or the rug? Check. Scrubbing the tub? Check. Deodorize the fridge? Might as well!
27 Green Cleaning Uses for Baking Soda
Baking soda is 100% pure sodium bicarbonate. Its mild abrasive texture is gentle enough to use on many surfaces. And because it is alkaline, baking soda can cut through grease, dirt and oil. Alkaline cleaners are effective in neutralizing acidic odors (like urine) and removing acidic stains (like wine).
Scroll down for some more uses for baking soda in green cleaning around the home:
1. Deodorize carpet
Use baking soda with lemon and juniper berry essential oils to deodorize your carpet. Simply sprinkle on the carpets and leave for 30 minutes before vacuuming the whole thing. If the blend is not to your liking, you can use lavender instead.
2. Clean cutting board
Wooden cutting boards are grosser than you think, since they don’t go in the dishwasher, and since wood tends to absorb everything you put on it. Deep clean yours with a mix of essential oils, salt, and baking soda.
3. Clean mattress
We’re spending so much time in our beds, it’s crazy how little time we spend making sure it’s properly cleaned! Baking soda comes to the rescue once more! This time, combined with fresh essential oils. Use the same method to refresh upholstery or your dog’s bed.
4. Wash produce
Store-bought fruits and veggies need a good wash, to remove not just dirt, but also germs! Simply mix baking soda with water and wash your produce as you normally would.
5. Clean cast iron
Cast iron pans are amazing, just as long as you treat them right! Scrubbing yours with some baking soda is the first step towards maintaining your pan for a lifetime.
6. Spot clean the couch
Mix baking soda with vinegar and soap dish to spot clean those pesky stains on the microfiber couch. Simply blot the areas with a clean cloth to lift dirt out of the fabric.
7. Banish garbage disposal odors
A smelly garbage disposal will make your entire kitchen smelly. Prevent that from happening with DIY tablets that also make use of your coffee grounds.
8. Clean the bathroom
Wipe down everything from tiles to sink with an all-purpose cleaning spray made with baking soda, Epsom salt, and borax. The gentle alkaline cleaner is effective against most household messes.
9. Dry wash stuffed animals
Taking away baby’s favorite stuffed animal may not be welcomed by the little one. And yet, you have to clean it! This easy solution only takes 30-60 minutes and it doesn’t include Teddy going in the wash.
10. Deodorize fridge
This one’s a classic: put some baking soda (and essential oils) in a jar in the fridge to absorb odors and keep it smelling nice and fresh.
11. Remove sweat stains
Make your own natural bleach to remove sweat stains from sports clothing and whites. You already guessed the main ingredient: baking soda!
12. Clean jewelry
Jewelry can loose its sparkle in time but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it look new again! Baking soda, salt, and soap dish go well together in this easy DIY cleaner.
13. Clean the oven
Not one of the most glamorous chores, cleaning the oven is rarely any fun. And especially not after a season of baking and roasting! Soap, baking soda, and salt are the natural ingredients you can use to scrub away the grease in no time.
14. Scrub the tub & sink
Make your own soft scrub to clean porcelain sinks and tubs. Only four ingredients needed, one of which is our famous baking soda.
15. Clean the grill
You can’t help food sticking to the grill and burning, no matter how careful you are. Scrub it down with baking soda and dish soap for best results.
16. Clean stainless steel
When cleaning the kitchen sink, start by giving it a good baking soda scrub. It gets the grime without scratching or damaging the surface, which is especially good for stainless steel sinks.
17. Clean the dishwasher
When musty smells start wafting from your dishwasher, give it a cleaning with baking soda and white vinegar. It’ll be deodorized and sanitized in no time.
18. Scrub away dirt
Whether it’s a dirty pot or a scummy bath tub, a baking soda scouring powder will visibly reduce your working time. You can even make it smell good, using dried herbs, blooms or citrus peels.
19. Make washing soda
While baking soda in itself is great, washing soda is even stronger. And guess what? You can make your own with just baking soda and an oven.
20. Clean cookie sheets
Blackened cookie sheets are not necessarily at the end of their life cycle! Restore them to their former glory using a mix of baking soda, cream of tartar and vinegar, among other ingredients. A similar process can also be applied to burnt pots.
21. Refresh your boots
When shearling boots become matted and stinky, you can easily refresh them with baking soda and cornstarch. Allow the combination to stay inside for a couple of hours before dumping out and vacuum cleaning the boots.
22. Clean grout
Grout easily gets dingy and discolored, but this combination of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, dish soap and lemon juice will make regrouting obsolete.
23. Clean your Converse
Converse are not going anywhere out of fashion soon, and we know you want to keep your whites white. Once again, baking soda comes to the rescue.
24. Clean workout gear
Sorry to say your workout gear is probably filthy! Baking soda can help remove odor and sweat stains from workout clothes, as well as clean your sneakers.
25. Clean the drain
Instead of calling a plumber when your sink is clogged, go through these homemade solutions first. For example, baking soda with white vinegar and borax can work wonders.
26. Remove adhesive from glass
Or, in short, make your own Goo Gone with just two ingredients: baking soda and oil. Now you can finally repurpose your collection of pretty jars and bottles!
27. Freshen the air
Don’t let the air in your home become stuffy and funky. Simply mix baking soda with essential oils and enjoy an amazing-smelling room.
Do you have any other uses for baking soda we should know about?
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