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Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is a really effective but gentle abrasive and a great natural deodoriser. Here are ten ways to make the most of its natural powers around the house…
1. Stained and smelly containers
Tubs are a great way to store leftovers, but often the food leaves a smell or stain that is hard to get rid of. To freshen up your containers, just add 4 tbsp of bicarb to every litre of warm water and allow them to soak.
2. A smelly pet bed
Pet beds can be easily refreshed – just sprinkle on some bicarb, leave for 15 minutes and hoover up. Any bad odours will be gone!
3. Stubborn dishes
There’s nothing worse than baked-on food or greasy dishes – add bicarb to your washing up liquid to make light work of the washing up!
4. A grubby kitchen
Mix bicarb with water and use it to clean countertops, stainless steel sinks, microwaves and any thing else which might need a good scrub!
5. Cheesy carpets
Freshen up cheesy or musty smelling carpets (or upholstery) by sprinkling with the bicarb powder and allowing it to sit for 15 minutes. Hoover up afterwards and the odour will be gone. This one is great for potty training accidents too – just make sure the carpet is dry before you treat it.
6. Grey laundry
Both whites and colours will come out brighter if you add 200g of bicarb to your load. It works well with your detergent to get your clothes cleaner and will certainly help your whites!
7. A blocked drain
Pour 125g of bicarb into your clogged drain, followed by 125ml of vinegar and cover with a wet cloth (to prevent a volcano effect!) for five minutes, before flushing with hot water.
8. Rubbish bin odours
Sprinkle some bicarb in the bottom of your bins to fight foul smells.
9. A foul smelling fridge
Pop a small pot of bicarb into your stinky fridge to absorb strong food odours so they don’t linger.
10. Bathroom mildew
Use a damp sponge and bicarb to scrub your tiles, sink, bath or shower curtain – rinse off to reveal gleaming surfaces.
Natalie
