Baking soda is one of my favorite cleaning ingredients to keep in my cleaning caddy. The white powder can be used to clean, deodorize and freshen various areas and surfaces in my home. And the fact that a pound of baking soda costs less than a fancy latte. Baking soda can be added to some homemade cleaners to boost its cleaning and deodorizing properties. The cleaning hack only requires this one powerhouse ingredient: baking soda.
1. Clean the kitchen sink
Sprinkle baking soda on the surface of a ceramic/porcelain sink. Use a scrub brush or sponge to gently scrub with baking soda. I find grease and dirt/food build-up magically disappear, then rinse with clean water. If you want to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with baking soda and then follow the steps above.
2. Clean the bathroom tub and sink
Sprinkle baking soda on the surface of a ceramic/porcelain bathtub and sink. As you scrub, any build-up that may occur on both surfaces will be lifted, leaving a shiny tub and sink.
3. Deodorize carpets and rugs
Between pets and kids, our carpets and rugs are subjected to all kinds of fun activities. To keep these surfaces smelling fresh, baking soda can be used. Sprinkle baking soda liberally on the pet bed, wait 30 minutes, and then vacuum the bed to remove the odor-neutralizing powder.
4. Deodorize the fridge
Regular cleaning of the fridge helps take care of most odors, but I use baking soda in the fridge just to be safe.
5. Deodorize and freshen bed mattress
Lightly sprinkle baking soda on an exposed mattress (no sheets), wait 30 minutes, and then use a hose attachment to vacuum the surface.
6. Deodorize
Sprinkle baking soda liberally around the inside of the toilet bowl, wait 10 minutes, and then use the toilet brush to remove the stain and odor. If you want to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda.
7. Deodorize and freshen the garbage can
Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of a trash bin to keep odors at bay (you can mix it with a few drops of your favorite essential oil). Discard the baking soda and refresh every few weeks. If you don’t want to sprinkle baking soda in your trash can, first sprinkle the powder into a small, small cardboard box and then place the box in the bottom of your trash can.
8. Deodorize and fresh sneakers
Sprinkle baking soda on your (smelly) sneakers, let it rest overnight, and shake it off in the morning. The odor-neutralizing powder will naturally get rid of foul odors. Sometimes, I’ll add a few drops of essential oil to the baking soda as well.
9. Clean and remove crayon marks from walls
Thankfully, we’re past the writing on the wall stage of parenting. In the past, when crayon marks were accidentally added to the wall decoration. Wipe with a wet cloth and then the crayon marks will disappear.
10. Clean and shine enameled utensils
My favorite pot to use for cooking is an enameled dutch oven. (I use the Lodge brand.) The pots can be used to make bread, soup, beans, poached chicken, or steamed veggies. They’re beautiful statement pieces. Although the outside of the pot may look great, the inside can quickly turn white to brown. To clean the inside, I fill a pot with water (about 3/4 way full), add 1/3 cup of baking soda, water, and Bring the baking soda to a boil and then turn off the heat. After about 30 minutes, I dump the dirty water, sprinkle the wet interior liberally with more baking soda, scrub the surface with a textured sponge, and then rinse the interior with fresh water.