Baking soda cleaning solutions are so popular because they’re so easy and inexpensive. You can replace almost all of the cleaners in your household with this affordable item.
You can get a 5-pound bag of baking soda for just a few dollars and tackle several of your normal cleaning challenges from laundry to carpet stains. Read on to see what I consider to be the best baking soda cleaning tips.
Baking Soda Cleaning Ideas
Whether you need to get out tough stains or make your own shower steamers, there are many baking soda cleaning uses.
Cleaning Paste
A simple paste made of baking soda and water is perfect for removing scuff marks. Add warm water to baking soda to make a toothpaste-like cream.
Then, use a microfiber cloth to gently rub away scuff marks on your walls and floors.
A cleaning paste made of baking soda and vinegar can be used in so many different ways. Just mix enough vinegar with the baking soda to create a paste, then tackle these jobs:
- Rub this mixture over your bathroom sink to remove hard water stains.
- Clean the showerhead, tiles, faucet, and other shower fixtures.
- Scrub the carpet with this mixture to remove pet stains and odors.
- You can even use this mixture to remove stains from clothing. If you have tough stains, just let the paste set for a few minutes before rinsing.
- If your silverware is tarnished, you can mix 3-parts baking soda to 1-part water to create a paste and rub it on your silverware. Rinse and you’ll have shiny silverware again.
This is an all-natural cleaner that costs pennies to make. If you want, you can add a few drops of essential oil to give the cleaner a nice scent.
Deodorizer
You may have known that placing a box of baking soda in your refrigerator or freezer would help absorb odors. But did you know that you can use baking soda in other areas of your home to tackle tough odors?
Sprinkle baking soda on your rug or carpet and let set for 15 minutes. Vacuum and you’ll find that your home smells fresher.
You can even add a layer to the bottom of your cat’s litter box to help fight odors. There are so many ways to deodorize with baking soda.
Dish and Laundry Booster
Did you know that adding just ½ cup of baking soda to your laundry along with your detergent can make it smell fresher, feel softer, and get it cleaner?
You can also use baking soda in your dishwater. Just add a large scoop of baking soda along with your dish detergent and the grease will come off your dishes much easier.
Oven Cleaner
If you don’t have a self-cleaning oven, harsh chemical oven cleaners aren’t your only option. You can get similar results with baking soda!
Mix together 1 tablespoon of dish soap, 1 1/2 cups baking soda and 1/4 cup white vinegar. Using a paintbrush, cover all surfaces in your oven, except the heating element, with the paste.
Let the paste work overnight. Wipe away with a damp cloth. Clean oven, no scrubbing! For more tips, check out this post on how to clean the oven with baking soda.
Drain Cleaner
Do you have a strange odor in your kitchen? Are gnats a problem in your kitchen? You may need to clean your drain.
Before bed, pour baking soda down your drain followed by vinegar. The mixture will bubble up and clean grease and gnat nests out of your drain.
Let this mixture set for at least 30 minutes before running water down the drain. This is great to do before bed. Do this to all the drains in your home to keep them clean and clog-free.
Shower Steamers
Last, but not least, you can use baking soda to make your own shower steamers. Shower steamers are the equivalent of bath bombs but made for showers.
They are also absolutely amazing when you have congestion. You can use eucalyptus oil to help relieve the congestion.
HGTV did an amazing article on making these from scratch.
Baking soda is so much more than a leavening agent. You can use it throughout your home for everything from laundry to shower steamers. Next time, grab the big box. You’re going to need it.
If you loved these cleaning tricks be sure to check these other great ideas out:
- 20 Hydrogen Peroxide Uses for Cleaning
- Borax Cleaning Hacks
- DIY Bathroom Cleaner Made With Essential Oils