Interested in simpler and cheaper solutions to reduce
your carbon footprint?
If you thought baking soda was only for baking purposes,
think again. The many functions of baking soda or sodium-
bicarbonate are phenomenal.
Mainly it is used for baking purposes to cause that chemical
reaction that is needed for your breads and cakes to rise.
It has medicinal purposes as well, in that it can be used
to treat heartburn and acid indigestion. It can also be
used to relieve pain from stings. Making a baking-soda-
paste and covering a bee sting for example, to relieve pain
and draw out poison, is certainly nothing new.
Baking soda is known to fight fungus, be an alternative to
shampoos and deodorants, yet smother a fire and clean
tarnished silverware at the same time.
Last but not least and fortunately for us,
it is known to be a very safe and effective cleaning and scrubbing
agent.
Take a look at these Baking-Soda-Cleaning Mixtures and what they can do for you.
Baking-Soda-Cleaning Recipe For Stoves and Countertops
Make a creamy soft scrub
2 cups baking soda
1/2 cup castille soap
4 tsp. vegetable glycerin
Optional - 5 drops essential oil for scent
Mix in a bowl and store in a sealed glass jar
will last up to 2 years
Apply to sponge or a rage. Scrub or rinse.
Clogged Kitchen Drains
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup vinegar
Pot boiled water
Pour baking soda down drain, and then the vinegar.
Let sit for 30 minutes, and flush with boiling water.
1 cup table salt
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
Let sit 15 minutes and then pour 2 quarts of
boiling water down sink. Rinse with cold water.
A note about clogged drains - Chemicals, lye and acids can do
harm to pipes and wastewater, and can harm you as well if you get it on yourself or breath it.
Always try a plumber's snake or a plunger first. Use stoppers faithfully to keep things out of the drains. In addition to baking-soda-cleaning, use an enzyme cleaner once per month to break down organic materials and reduce drain smells. Vinegar is good for this as well.
Household Disinfectant
16 tblsp. baking soda
1/2 cup borax
1/3 cup vinegar
Air Freshener
Dissolve baking soda in water with lemon juice.
Spray into the air for a nice smell.
Keep a box of baking soda in your fridge, cupboards
or anywhere you like to remove offending odors.
Sprinkle the bottom of your garbage cans.
Remove old odors from food containers by rinsing with
hot water and soda. Soak overnight if necessary.
Oven Cleaner
1 tblsp. liquid soap
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup salt
3/4 cup baking soda
Mix soap and water, and put into a spray bottle.
Spray the oven surface. Mix salt and soda and
sprinkle over the wet surface until it is pasty.
Let stand several hours. Scrape with a pumice
or gently with a putty knife. Rinse, wipe dry.
Dish washing With Soda
Sprinkle soda into hot water. Add 1/4
cup of vinegar to cut the grease.
Baking-Soda-Cleaning Recipe For Dishwasher Soap
1 cup borax
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup citric-acid
20 drops essential oils are optional
Mix and store in an airtight plastic container.
Use 1 tblsp. per load of dishes.
Tables, Counter and Small Appliances
Sprinkle soda on the surface. Spray with 1/2
water and vinegar. Wipe dry.
Refresh Your Smile
Sprinkle a little baking soda on your toothe-brush.
Brush teeth gently and rinse for a clean feeling.
Soda helps whiten your teeth by removing stains.
Cleaning Toys
1/4 cup baking soda
1 quart warm water
Wipe with dampened cloth or dip and rinse item.
Cleaning Silver
Make a paste, consisting of 3 parts baking soda,
1 part hot water. Rub paste on each item.
Rinse with warm water and dry
with a soft cloth.
Carpet Deodorizing
Sprinkle on carpet. Vacuum after 15 minutes.
Remove Grease Spills and Scuff Marks
This is safe for no-wax floors.
Sprinkle with soda and wipe with a warm damp cloth.
Diaper Pails
Add baking soda to the water to prevent any overwhelming odor.
Clean Lawn Furniture
1/4 cup baking soda
1 quart warm water
Camping Equipment
Before putting your gear away until the next trip, give it
a sprinkle to soak up odors and keep it fresh.
A Clean Kitchen Sink
Mix baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add a drop
of orange oil.
Burnt Food Stuck
Sprinkle soda on the bottom of your pan, and add hot
water. Let soak overnight, and the food should lift.
Bathroom Cleaning Recipes
1/4 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar
Pour into toilet bowl, let soak for a few minutes.
Scrub with a brush, and flush.
1/2 tsp. baking soda, pinch liquid soap and 2 cups of
hot water shaken well to dissolve, makes a great all
purpose bathroom cleaner.
Crayon Marks on the Walls
Dip a damp rag into baking soda. Rub area.
Pet Odors
Sprinkle the bottom of the cat litter box to absorb odor.
Sprinkle baking soda through the fur of your dog or cat
to absorb any unpleasant odor. Fluff up the fur as you
brush it through.
Baking-Soda-Cleaning Recipes in the Laundry Room
Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to full load for
softer clothes
Dry Laundry Soap
1 Bar castille soap grated (use an old metal grater)
1 1/2 - 2 cups Arm and Hammer washing soda
1 1/2 - 2 cups Borax
Put in a glass jar and shake to mix well.
Use 1 tblsp. per wash
Add lavender or orange essential oil drops for scent.
If you still use regular laundry detergent, substitute
half with baking soda to keep clothing fresh.
If you still use regular bleach, 1/2 cup baking soda will
enhance the power of the bleach.
Pre-treat grease stains with a baking-soda-cleaning paste.
Pre-treat a diaper pail with baking soda. This will keep
odors from being over-powering.
Sprinkle baking soda in your laundry hamper to get rid of odor.
Leave Baking-Soda-Cleaning, Return to Homemade Cleaning Supplies
Return To Carbon Footprint Defined Home Page
