Baking soda: a safe multipurpose cleaner

Many of us spend too much money and too much time on household cleaning. Is it really necessary to have one product for the kitchen tiles and another for the bath?

Baking soda is a readily available household product. It is also called Sodium Bicarbonate or Bicarbonate of Soda. It is a cheap yet very effective tool in your home for combating odours, cleaning and sanitising.

There are many reasons to use baking soda in your home, but the number one reason is because this is a natural substance that will not harm you, your family or the environment.

Baking soda is a safe product that you can even eat. Baking soda is used in a huge variety of foods that we eat everyday.

Clean a microwave oven
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse.

Remove tarnish from silver
Mix a thick paste of Bicarbonate of Soda with water; apply to the silver with a damp sponge, rub, rinse, and buff dry.

Clean a stainless steel sink
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub the sink, and rinse clean.

Boost the strength of liquid laundry detergent
Add 1/2 cup Bicarbonate of Soda with the usual amount of detergent in your regular wash cycle.

Clean a fibreglass bathtub or shower
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse clean.

Clean bathroom tile
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse clean.

Maintain your septic tank
Flush 1 cup Bicarbonate of Soda down the toilet once a week. Bicarbonate of Soda helps maintain proper pH and alkalinity, controlling sulphide odours.

Deodorise cloth diapers
Mix 1/2 cup Bicarbonate of Soda in 2 quarts of water, and soak diapers in the solution.

Clean a refrigerator
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda onto a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse clean.

Deodorise a dishwasher
Sprinkle 1/2 cup Bicarbonate of Soda on the bottom of the dishwasher between loads.

Boost the strength of dishwashing liquid
Add 2 full tablespoons Bicarbonate of Soda to the usual amount of detergent you use.

Remove burnt-on food from cookware
Dampen area, sprinkle with Bicarbonate of Soda, let soak overnight, then scrub with a sponge, rinse, and dry.

Clean and deodorise a cutting board
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, rub the cutting board, and rinse clean.

Deodorise food containers
Mix 1/4 cup Bicarbonate of Soda with 1 quart water, swish food containers in solution, soak overnight, and then rinse clean.

Clean coffee and teapots
Wash in a solution of 1/4 cup Bicarbonate of Soda and 1 quart warm water, then rinse clean.

Deodorise kitchen garbage
Sprinkle a handful of Bicarbonate of Soda in the garbage pail each time you add garbage.

Deodorise carpet
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda lightly over the dry carpet, let sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum up.

Deodorise a cat litter box
Cover the bottom of the litter box with 1/4 inch Bicarbonate of Soda then add the litter.

Soothe poison ivy rash or insect bites
Make a paste of Bicarbonate of Soda and water, and apply to the affected area.

Soothe sunburn, windburn, and prickly heat
Dissolve 1/2 cup Bicarbonate of Soda in a tepid bath. Soak in the bath for 15 minutes.

Take a refreshing bath
Dissolve 1/2 cup Bicarbonate of Soda in a tub of warm water for soft, smooth-feeling skin and a relaxing bath.

Brush your teeth
Plain baking soda is a gentle abrasive that cleans like the strongest toothpaste. Apply Bicarbonate of Soda to a damp toothbrush, brush as usual, and rinse.

Wash your mouth
Add 1 teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda to 1/2 glass warm water, and swish through teeth for a refreshing mouthwash.

Neutralise vomit odour
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda generously to cover the stained area, let sit for an hour, then vacuum up.

Soothe tired feet
Add 3 tablespoons Bicarbonate of Soda to a basin of warm water and soak feet in the solution.

Use as a deodorant
Dust Bicarbonate of Soda under arms.

Clean dirt, grime, and scuffmarks from doors, stoves, laminated tabletops, linoleum floors, and tile
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, wipe clean, and dry.

Remove coffee or tea stains from china
Dip a damp cloth in Bicarbonate of Soda, gently rub the china, and rinse clean.

Minimise the smell of dirty laundry
Sprinkle some Bicarbonate of Soda into your hamper or laundry bag.

Deodorise a closet
Place an open box of Bicarbonate of Soda on a shelf.

Deodorise garment storage bags
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda into the bottom of the bag.

Deodorise shoes or training shoes
In the evening, sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda inside shoes to eliminate odours. Shake out in the morning.

Remove crayon marks from walls or wallpaper
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, scrub gently to avoid mussing the paint or wallpaper, then wipe clean.

Clean dirt and grime from hands
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on to wet hands; with liquid soap, rub vigorously, rinse, and dry.

Remove conditioner and styling gel build-up from hair
Wash hair once a week with 1 tablespoon of Bicarbonate of Soda mixed with your regular shampoo; rinse thoroughly, then condition and style as usual.

Refresh stuffed animals
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the stuffed animal, let sit for 15 minutes, then brush off.

Clean high chairs, car seats, strollers, and plastic mattress protectors
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, wipe clean, and dry.

Clean baby bottles, nipples, and bottle brushes
Soak in a solution of warm water and Bicarbonate of Soda, then sterilise before use.

Whiten socks and dirty clothes
Add 1/2 cup Bicarbonate of Soda to regular liquid laundry detergent.

Clean chrome bumpers and hubcaps
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, rub surface, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.

Remove dead insects from a car or truck windshield
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on a damp sponge, clean glass, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.

Deodorise carpeting in a car
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the carpet,let sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum up.

De-grease and clean barbecue grills
Make a paste by mixing equal parts Bicarbonate of Soda and water, apply with a wire brush, wipe clean, and dry with a cloth.