How to Use Baking Soda Around the House

Baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda, is a leavening agent that is used to make batters rise when baking. In addition to its usefulness in the kitchen, it has literally dozens of uses in and around the house to clean and deodorize. Baking soda is readily available, inexpensive and non-toxic, making it the perfect partner for household chores.

Instructions

1. Freshen up rugs and carpets with a light sprinkle of baking soda. Wait 15 minutes, then vacuum as usual.

2. Wash fruits and vegetables to remove impurities left by simply rinsing them in water. Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda to a pot of cold water. Wash the produce and rinse thoroughly.

3. Boost the power of liquid dish soap. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the dishwater to beef up the grease-cutting power of the liquid dish soap.

4. Brighten wallpaper by wiping it down with 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of water. Tackle grease stains on the wallpaper with a paste of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of water. Work the paste into the stain and let it sit for ten minutes, then sponge it off.

5. Clean the toilet tank overnight with a half-box of baking soda once a month. Flush two or three times in the morning to clean the bowl as well as the tank. Scrub stains in the bowl with a few tablespoons of baking soda.

6. Put the shine back in the marble tabletop. Dip a soft cloth in a solution of 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 quart of warm water. Wash the marble and let it stand for 15-30 minutes then rinse with clear water and pat the surface completely dry.

7. Get the smell of cigarettes out of upholstered furniture. Sprinkle the upholstery liberally with baking soda and let it sit for three or four hours, then vacuum it up. Repeat as needed.

Resources

• Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Solutions.