This economy size bag of Arm & Hammer baking soda can be put to good use in cleaning several surfaces in your home in an eco-friendly manner.
Did you know that you can use baking soda for more than just baking? Baking soda, which is also called sodium bicarbonate, has many household uses, too. Due to its alkaline nature and high pH, this inorganic salt is great at softening water, whitening, brightening, deodorizing, cleaning, and scrubbing, so it’s a natural for green cleaning. Plus, it’s safe, environmentally friendly, and super economical. What more could you ask for? Check out these five eco-friendly products you can make with it for just pennies!
1. Air Freshener
Ah! Bring a sigh of relief and take a breath of fresh air without using artificial toxic air fresheners. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and also absorbs excess moisture, so it’s great to use in places like the refrigerator and the bathroom. Set a bowl of it anywhere odors loom, such as under your kitchen sink. If you like the idea of a scented room deodorizer, simply mix in a few drops of essential oils. To make it more kid- or pet-proof, consider drilling or cutting holes in a plastic container with a sturdy lid and setting it out of reach.
2. Burnt-On Food & Grease Buster
Easily get rid of burnt-on grease, food, and grime from your pots and pans by soaking them in some baking soda and a little boiling water for several minutes or overnight. Then clean with a scrub sponge and notice how effortlessly everything comes off with little elbow grease. For grimy surfaces that can’t be soaked in water, such as cook tops, ovens, and grills, apply a paste of baking soda and eco-friendly dish soap. Follow up by cleaning with a damp microfiber cloth or sponge.
3. Creamy Scrub Cleanser
If you love the idea of a creamy scrub cleanser that doesn’t contain bleach or other harsh ingredients, but works just as well at disinfecting and gently cleaning delicate surfaces without scratching, then try making your own following this simple recipe. It uses just two ingredients — baking soda and castile soap — and it does a great job at cleaning and naturally whitening grimy surfaces, such as white porcelain sinks. And if you choose a castile soap with essential oils, you’ll also have additional cleaning benefits. Essential oils do more than just impart a pleasing scent. They also have inherent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
4. Laundry Booster
Do you have hard water? Have you noticed that your laundry seems dingy? If so, your laundry detergent may not be performing as well as it could. The solution? Simply add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry. You’ll notice that your clothes come out so much cleaner and softer. Also, some stubborn stains that may not normally be lifted by your detergent alone may suddenly disappear. Plus, you’ll save some cash, because you won’t need to use as much laundry detergent! Tip: If you have an extra smelly load (think sweaty gym clothes, pet bedding, etc.), add a few drops of lavender and/or bergamot essential oil to the baking soda to deodorize your laundry.
5. Powder Cleanser
Ditch your toxic bleach cleansers and switch to baking soda instead. Fill an empty spice jar or yogurt container with some baking soda for an easy way to dispense it anytime you need it. Baking soda is great for cleaning tile, tubs, sinks, toilet bowls, ovens, cook tops, and more. After shaking some on the surface, use a damp sponge or scrub brush to work it in. If you want a scented powder cleanser that kills bacteria, viruses, and mildew, add some essential oils, such as tea tree. I especially like combining tea tree with lavender.
Note: This post was updated on April 22, 2018.
Copyright © Karen Peltier and Well Gal, 2013 – 2018. All rights reserved.
Photos © Karen Peltier and Well Gal, 2013 – 2018.
The thing about baking soda is that its uses are virtually endless. It’s one of those products that can be used for cleaning, cooking, and even for personal hygiene uses. Baking soda is a natural product that is perfect for anyone who wants to live a greener lifestyle.
I have a cleaning blog and must say baking soda is one of the solutions for 99% of the cleaning problems. It is safe and works great. Wonderful article.
Baking Soda is my all-time cleaning partner. It helps me removing bad odor inside the house along with cleaning.
Great ideas, Karen. I have a bit of baking soda left over so I’ll use it for some of these.
I was using it when I wash my hair but not sure if it’s helping or not, as I some guys claimed to use it for their hair.
PS: There’s no contact form appearing on your Contact page – just in case you didn’t know.
Thanks Grant for stopping by and leaving a comment. Just curious, how are you using baking soda for washing your hair?
BTW, you’re right — my contact form is missing! Technical error which I’ll have to correct ASAP. Thanks for letting me know as I probably wouldn’t have discovered it for awhile.
I like to scrub my sink with it, but, I use it in the fridge in my trailer. Helps with the moisture and odor when it is in storage.
Baking Soda has always been my cleaning partner. It also helps me remove bad odor inside the house.
Truly, the wonders of baking soda! This is the reason why I never run out of this one in my kitchen. It’s a necessity for me!
Baking soda is truly amazing and I love to use it for so many things around the house! As I am a cleaner at Carpet Cleaning Merton, I really need to think of new cleaning solutions and especially green ones! I don’t like using toxic cleaners as it is not good for my health or the health of my clients, so baking soda is one of the natural cleaners I use the most! Thank you for the lovely post! I really didn’t know that I can use it as a laundry booster, as well!
One way to reduce the number of cleaning products you bring into your home is to clean with products you already have. People have been cleaning with household staples like vinegar, baking soda and lemons (or lemon juice) for a long time, and believe it or not, these items are safe and often effective. If you clean with these items, you may buy less, spend less money and have fewer harsh chemicals to worry about.Highgate Carpet Cleaners Ltd.
Thanks for the interesting information – there’s nothing better than a clean, fresh, neatural house and one of the best ways of achieving this is through your carpets! As well as DIY solutions I also like to recommend oven cleaner birmingham professional companies to people because you can often surprise yourself at the price and how natural their cleaners are. Great post, thanks again.
I’m yet to have a go at doing this myself. I’ve been using oven cleaning medway, a professional company, to do my cooker. The results have been excellent, so if you’re in the area I’d be happy to recommend them, but for a while I have thought about trying my hand at it myself. I’ll let you know how it goes! Thanks again 🙂