Keeping the house clean is never easy, especially after having kids. It’s not just about the mess; the stubborn bathroom scale and kitchen grease are enough to make anyone feel like running away. But don’t worry! Baking soda is here to save the day, making cleaning easier and giving you back a bright, clean home with less effort.
Magical Uses of Baking Soda
- Vegetable and Fruit Cleaner: Say Goodbye to Pesticides
Baking soda is naturally alkaline and can neutralize acidic pesticides on produce. Just add a teaspoon of baking soda to a bowl of water, soak your fruits or vegetables for 3-5 minutes, stir lightly, and rinse thoroughly to enjoy clean, pesticide-free produce.
- Laundry Aid for Whiteness and Odor Removal
Baking soda is a great laundry assistant. Dissolve three tablespoons in warm water and add it to your regular washing routine. It helps remove stains, keeps whites bright, and colors vibrant. For smelly items like socks and T-shirts, pre-soak for 20 minutes. Remember to dissolve it in warm water first, as it doesn’t dissolve well in cold water.
- Moisture Absorber for Closets and Shoe Cabinets
Closets and shoe cabinets can get damp, but baking soda comes to the rescue. Simply put baking soda in a cloth bag, place it in a box to avoid spills, and put it in your closet or shoe cabinet. Sun-dry the bag every three months to keep reusing it—it's economical and eco-friendly.
- Powerful Bathroom Cleaner for Stubborn Stains
The bathroom is often plagued by scale and mildew. Maintain a clean bathroom by scrubbing daily and using baking soda for a deep clean once a month. Mix baking soda with water in a 1:1 ratio, spray on areas needing cleaning, let sit for 10 minutes, and scrub. Your bathroom will be sparkling again!
- Kitchen Grease Removal for a Sparkling Stove and Cookware
Kitchen grease, especially on stoves and cookware, is hard to tackle. Baking soda mixed with warm water works wonders. Sprinkle baking soda on the greasy area, use a damp cloth with warm water, let it sit for two minutes, then scrub with a sponge. For older grease stains, add a bit of white vinegar for extra cleaning power.
Food-grade baking soda is suitable for cleaning and baking, while industrial-grade soda has stronger alkalinity, which can irritate the skin. Use gloves and a mask when handling, and avoid contact with lacquered or plastic surfaces. (Photo/Heho)
Important Tips for Using Baking Soda
When using baking soda for cleaning, choose the right type. Nutritionists recommend using "food-grade" baking soda (pH around 8.1) for baking, washing produce, and general cleaning. "Industrial-grade" baking soda, with a pH of 11, is much more alkaline and can irritate the skin, so use gloves and a mask. Avoid using baking soda powder on lacquer or plastic surfaces, as it may scratch them.
Baking soda is truly the ultimate household cleaning helper, making everything from produce washing to bathroom and kitchen cleaning a breeze. With baking soda on hand, spend less time worrying about chores and more time enjoying precious moments with family!
