Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a versatile household product that has a wide range of uses ranging from cooking to cleaning. It is a white crystalline compound that is alkaline with a slightly salty taste.
Baking soda is inexpensive, easily available, and has no harmful chemicals posing no threat to the environment or people living in the house. Let’s take a closer look at the many ways baking soda can be used around the home.
Cleaning with Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural and effective cleaner for many different surfaces and materials around the house, making it a go-to solution for many cleaning needs.
Cleaning Your Kitchen
Baking soda is perfect for getting rid of tough stains from kitchen surfaces such as counters, sinks, range hoods, and stovetops. Just sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth or sponge and scrub away.
Rinse the area thoroughly with water and dry it off with a clean cloth.
Baking soda also works wonders for cleaning the inside of your oven. First, remove the racks, then create a paste by mixing baking soda with some water. Spread the paste over the inside of the oven, leaving it overnight if necessary.
The next day, use a damp cloth or sponge to wash away the paste, revealing a clean oven surface.
Cleaning Your Bathroom
Baking soda can be an excellent tool for deep cleaning your bathroom. It can help to remove stubborn stains, absorb odors, and leave your bathroom surfaces shiny and clean.
To clean bathroom tiles and grout, make a paste with baking soda and water and apply it to the surfaces with a brush or sponge, working it into the crevices. Rinse with water to reveal sparkling clean surfaces.
For your showerhead, fill a plastic bag with baking soda and water, then tie it around the showerhead and leave it overnight. The next day, remove the bag and run the water to reveal a sparkling clean showerhead.
Cleaning Carpets and Upholstery
Baking soda is also a natural way to clean carpets and upholstery. It can help to absorb odors while deep cleaning the fibers.
To clean carpets and upholstery, sprinkle baking soda over the surface and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda and dirt from the surface.
Deodorizing with Baking Soda
Baking soda is an excellent deodorizer and can be used in many different ways around the house to freshen up smells.
Deodorizing Your Refrigerator
To deodorize your refrigerator, place an open container of baking soda on one of the shelves in the fridge. The baking soda will absorb any unpleasant odors, keeping your fridge smelling fresh and clean.
Deodorizing your Trash Can
Putting a layer of baking soda at the bottom of your trash can will help absorb any unpleasant smells that may come from the garbage. This can help to reduce the need for air fresheners or other odor-eliminating products.
Deodorizing Your Shoes
One of the most common sources of household odor comes from shoes. To deodorize your shoes, sprinkle baking soda inside each shoe and leave it overnight. Shake the baking soda out of the shoes the next day for odor-free footwear.
Cooking with Baking Soda
Aside from all of its household uses, baking soda is also an essential ingredient in baking recipes. Here are some ways in which baking soda is used in cooking:.
Leavening Agent in Baked Goods
Baking soda is often used as a leavening agent in baking. When combined with an acid, such as buttermilk or vinegar, it produces carbon dioxide bubbles that cause the dough or batter to rise.
Tenderizing Meat
Baking soda can also help to tenderize meat by breaking down the protein. When used in small amounts, it can help to create more tender and juicy meat.
In Conclusion
Baking soda is truly the ultimate household helper, with a vast number of uses that make it a staple in many homes.
Whether you are looking for a natural cleaner, a deodorizer, or an essential ingredient for your favorite baking recipe, baking soda is an excellent and versatile product to have on hand.