Baking soda may just be the most versatile cleaning product in your home. Often used for baking or absorbing odour, it has many additional purposes and has been used for generations. In fact, in 3500 BCE, the Ancient Egyptians used baking soda as a cleaning and mummification agent. In addition to cooking and odour prevention, baking soda can also be used for medicine, personal hygiene, and, you guessed it, cleaning! A real jack-of-all-trades!
Why is baking soda such a powerful cleaning agent? Well, when combined with water to form a paste, it creates a gentle abrasive that is effective in removing dirt and grime from surfaces. The gentle nature of baking soda also prevents it from scratching household surfaces. Baking soda’s mild alkaline level helps dissolve dirt and grease particles in water, making it easier to remove and rinse.
Test out the power of baking soda on some of these household messes:
Stained surfaces: Remove stubborn stains from your household surfaces by making a paste of three parts baking soda and one part water. Apply the paste to the soiled area and let it stand for a few minutes. With a microfibre cloth, massage the paste into the surface in a circular motion, and then wipe clean with a damp microfibre cloth. Buff dry thereafter.
Unclogging the kitchen sink: Unclog your kitchen drain by pouring 1 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain. Let the solution bubble, then rinse with hot water. Repeat the process as necessary.
Neutralize odours from your garbage can: Sprinkle a bit of baking soda in the bottom of your trash can to neutralize the smell of your garbage. You can also sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes to eliminate odour.
Clean your fruit and vegetables: Baking soda can also be used to clean your fruits and veggies. Simply add a little bit of baking soda to a damp microfibre cloth and scrub. Rinse thoroughly and serve!
