Baking soda is my all time cleaning product. It has multiple uses and is very inexpensive. It is easily found at stores, warehouse clubs and online. Baking soda has been around a long time, its modern uses range from settling upset stomachs, to cleaning ovens and putting out fires.
Baking soda in its natural form was used by the Egyptians to dry and preserve meats, to bleach clothing, as a cleaning agent and was used in the mummification process. The product that was used was from natural mineral deposits of Natron which contained sodium carbonate decahydrate and sodium bicarbonate. These Trona deposits are formed after the evaporation of great salt lakes in such areas as Wyoming, Kenya, Eygpt, Venezuela and Central Asia.
It was in 1791 that Nicolas LeBlanc a French chemist first produced sodium carbonate, also known as soda ash. In 1846 John Dwight and Austin Church established a factory to develop baking soda. The rest as they say is history. Baking Soda can probably be found in every home, due to its versatile nature.
Around the Home:
Refrigerator/Freezer-Leave an open box in refrigerator or freezer to remove odors.
Drain Freshener-Pour a box down the drain to remove odors.
Clogged Drain-Pour down the drain, follow with vinegar, when it stops bubbling add hot water to remove clogs and keep drains free flowing.
Books-Remove musty odors from books. Place book in plastic bag with baking soda, until odors are absorbed. (This can take a few weeks).
Shoes-Sprinkle in shoes or boots to remove odor.
Litter Box-Add to the kitty litter box to control odor.
Dish Cloths-Soak dish cloths in a bowl of water and baking soda.
Clean tiles, tubs, toilets, sinks, stainless steel with a paste of baking soda and water. Consistency should be a thick pancake batter. Wipe on, rinse and dry. (I use this in place of soft scrub type cleaners).
Grout lines-Make a paste with baking soda and water, use an old toothbrush to apply and scrub. Rinse with water.
Toilet Bowl-Add a cup to the toilet, let sit for an hour, scrub and flush. It will clean toilet and leave it smelling fresh.
Wash your fruits and vegetables with a few tablespoons of baking soda to a sink full of warm water. Rinse produce well after soaking.
Flowers-Cut flowers last longer with a teaspoon to the water in the vase or bowl.
Gardens-Sprinkle around your garden to keep bunnies from eating your veggies and flowers.
Burned Pans-Burned food inside a pan. Put a little water and baking soda in pan and let soak overnight, before cleaning.
Coffee and Tea Stains– Scrub your coffee and teapots with baking soda to remove stains. Rinse well.
Polish-Make a paste to polish stainless steel and chrome. Rinse well and dry.
Stale Odors-Remove stale orders from thermos, coolers and drinking containers.
Oven cleaner-Make a paste with baking soda and water, brush on interior of stove walls. Let dry overnight. In the morning wipe down. Touch up any stubborn baked on areas. Rinse well.
Freshen Carpets-Before bedtime, sprinkle carpets and rugs with a thin layer of baking soda. Vacuum in the morning.
Personal Use:
As an antacid.-Add 1/2 tsp. of baking soda to a cup of water. Stir till dissolved and drink.
Toothpaste-Mix half a teaspoon with water or hydrogen peroxide to make a paste and brush teeth.
Skin Softener-Add to bathwater to soften your skin.
Smelly Hands-Remove odors from hands, simply scrub hands with baking soda and water.
Stings-Apply paste to relieve pain of bee stings.
Stings-Apply paste to relieve pain of jelly fish stings.
Hairbrushes and Combs-Add a teaspoon to a sink full of water and add your brushes and combs. The baking soda removes the hair oils and hair spray. Rinse well and dry.
Do you have any baking soda hints to share? E-mail your ideas and we’ll expand the list.
Due to its versatility of uses, baking soda is a common ingredient for my home. I tend to buy the big 13.5 pound bag so I don’t run out.
Resources:
http://www.infosources.org/what_is/Natron.html
