How to Green Clean with Baking Soda

After vinegar, baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) is one of the most versatile and inexpensive ways to clean up around your home. What's more, it is a non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaner. Read on to learn how to green clean with baking soda.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Use baking soda as a mild scouring powder. Sprinkle some on your kitchen counter tops or other surface to be cleaned and then scrub away with a wet sponge. Rinse off with cold water.

2. Make an all-purpose cleaner by stirring two tablespoons baking soda and 1/4 cup vinegar in 2 quarts of hot water. Pour this into a spray bottle and use it around the house.

3. Clean your oven with baking soda. Sprinkle the oven floor with a layer of baking soda to cover the bottom and spray water until the layer is quite damp. Let sit overnight and then wipe the baking soda and grime out.

4. Get rid of burned on food by sprinkling baking powder in the pan and partially filling the pan with boiling hot water. Let this soak for half an hour and then clean as usual. Rinse out smelly food containers with a solution of baking soda and warm water. If that does not get rid of the odor, let them soak overnight.

5. Wash down the interior of your microwave with a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in one quart warm water. For baked on food, put a cup of this solution in the microwave and let it boil for 3 to 5 minutes. This will dampen the microwave's interior and loosen the food, which you can then wipe away with a dishcloth or paper towels.

6. Deodorize your carpet by sprinkling it with baking soda, letting this sit for at least fifteen minutes and then vacuum it up. Repeat if necessary. Or, sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your garbage can and in the garbage liner as well to get rid of stinky odors. To better absorb odors and catch any drippings, sprinkle the baking soda on crumpled newspaper and place this in the bottom of the garbage liner.
   Another deodorizing tip is to leave an open box of baking soda at places that tend to have odors such as your fridge, under the kitchen sink and your litter box. Replace this every 2 to 3 months.

7. Sprinkle baking soda on a wet sponge and use it to freshen your refrigerator. Rinse out smelly food containers with a solution of baking soda and warm water. If that does not get rid of the odor, let them soak overnight.

8. Prevent clogged drains by pouring a solution of 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain as you run hot water. Do the same for your garbage disposal.

[lilypjmom2122]

on 9/24/2009 Wonderful advice and article. Never knew baking soda had so many uses. thanks for sharing:)5*&rec!