6 Ways to Clean with Baking Soda

July 24th, 2014 • BY

green cleaning with baking soda

Commonly known as baking soda, Bicarbonate of Soda is a highly effective cleaning agent that also happens to be eco-friendly—and safe to use in your home.

It is one of those everyday household products that can actually be used on practically every surface in the home. In addition, baking soda is an affordable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly cleaning alternative to conventional cleaners.

One of the best ways to clean with baking soda is to mix it with vinegar. Baking soda gently wears away at stains so is most useful as a regular cleaner to keep dirt at bay rather than as part of a deep clean. However, if you mix it with vinegar then you create carbonic acid which is more bubbly—and better to scrub with—and also more corrosive and therefore tougher on stains.

This old-school cleaning product can be used for a variety of different cleaning tasks (and on a variety of surfaces), including the following 6 ways to clean with baking soda:

Toilet Bowl: Toilet bowls can stain even if they have a stain-resistant coating. Strong cleaners can wear away at the enamel on the bowl when removing the stains and, consequently, a less-abrasive cleaning alternative will keep stains at bay while also keeping your toilet in mint condition. Sprinkle baking soda into your toilet and leave it. Moisten with vinegar. Scrub and flush.

Shower Doors: Baking soda effectively cleans shower doors plus mirrors. Just sprinkle a little baking soda on a damp sponge and wipe. The granules in baking soda will not scratch surfaces and, if you are careful and diligent with sponging technique, you can remove the unsightly soap scum, toothpaste, and general dirt without leaving cleaning streaks of your own.

Unclogging the Drain: Baking soda is also a non-toxic and pleasant-smelling product that works to unclog your drains. Pour in a decent amount of baking soda, vinegar, and a dash of lemon juice for a sweeter smell. Let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the significance of the blockage, and then flush it through with very hot water.

Tiles: If left unattended, tiles can harbor mildew and mold—tiles are a part of the bathroom or kitchen cleaning routine that is often ignored. Mixing baking soda and water together to create a paste is a fantastic way to gently get at all the stains without ruining the seal. Scrub away with a toothbrush or other small cleaning brush to make sure you really get in there. You can mix some bleach into this paste if you end up discovering mold growth.

Shower Curtains: A simple mixture of baking soda and water can be used to get rid of the dirt and marks on your linoleum floors, shower curtains, and other wipe-clean furnishings in the home.

Cookware: Baking Soda can even be used to clean a stained saucepan. Sprinkle it on the base with a little water to moisten it or with a little vinegar for tougher stains.

These are just a few of the ways that Bicarbonate of Soda can be used in everyday house cleaning but there are many more. Feel free to experiment yourself and use it on a variety of surfaces and in a variety of combinations to achieve your optimum cleaning results.

Information provided by Richmond House Cleaning Company.