Sure, it’s an essential ingredient for amazingly chewy chocolate-chip cookies, but bicarbonate of soda‘s real claim to fame is its power to freshen and clean many spots in the home. It’s a super-effective (but gentle) abrasive and is a great natural deodoriser, so it’s helpful in all sorts of trouble spots. All of these are reason enough to stock up now.
1. Stained and stinky plastic food containers
Leftovers have a way of leaving their mark. To freshen your containers, wipe with a clean sponge sprinkled with bicarbonate of soda. Or erase tough stains by soaking in a solution of four tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda and two pints of warm water.
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2. A foul-smelling fridge
Can’t shift the smell of a strong-smelling cheese from your fridge? Bicarbonate of soda will absorb strong food odours so they don’t linger or change the taste of neighbouring foods.
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3. Unrinsed fruit and veggies
Mixed with water, bicarbonate of soda can remove dirt and the waxy coating on fruit and veg.
4. A filthy kitchen
Nearly every dirty spot in your kitchen can benefit from a bicarbonate of soda treatment. With water, use it to clean countertops, stainless-steel sinks, microwaves, and cooking utensils.
5. Extra-greasy dishes and pans
Give baked-on food the one-two punch by powering up your dishwashing powder with bicarbonate of soda.
6. Stale-smelling sponges
Soak these kitchen staples in bicarbonate of soda and water to freshen them up so you can use them a little longer.
7. Musty upholstery and carpets
Freshen up carpets and rugs around the house by sprinkling them with bicarbonate of soda, letting it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuuming it up.
8. A stinky pet bed
The same goes for Fido’s favourite spot! Sprinkle, wait 15 minutes and vacuum.
9. Grimy toys
Naturally fight the effects of your little one’s grubby hands by wiping them with a sponge dipped in a bicarbonate of soda and water solution.
10. A crayon-covered wall
And when your kid’s artistic efforts end up all over that wall you just repainted, scrub lightly with a damp sponge sprinkled in bicarbonate of soda.
11. Dusty stuffed animals
These dust collectors will be easier to clean if you place them in a large plastic bag with a cup of bicarbonate of soda. Secure the top, take the bag outside and shake well. The bicarb helps draw out soil and dust. After you remove them from the bag, vacuum everything away.
12. Dingy laundry
Both whites and colours will come out of the washing machine brighter if you add a cup of bicarbonate of soda to your load. Combined with liquid detergent, it helps balance the pH levels to get clothes cleaner.
13. A mildew-y bathroom
Scrub your bath, tiles, sink and shower curtain with a damp sponge and bicarbonate of soda. Rinse to reveal gleaming surfaces.
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14. A blocked drain
Clear a stubborn drain by pouring a 1/2 cup of bicarbonate of soda down it, followed by a 1/2 cup of vinegar. Cover with a wet cloth to contain the science-fair-like effects. (Remember DIY volcanoes?) Wait five minutes and then flush with hot water.
15. Smelly trainers
Freshen up after your Zumba class by sprinkling some bicarb inside your shoes (and your gym bag while you’re at it). Just tap it out before you wear them again.
16. Smelly bins
Place some bicarbonate of soda in the bottom of your bin to fight that stink.
17. An oil spill on your garage floor
Got an offending spot on your concrete? Pour on a little bicarbonate of soda and scrub with a wet brush to make it disappear.
18. A messy grill
Combat a summer’s worth of braai grime by sprinkling some bicarbonate of soda on your grill-cleaning brush before you scrub away.
19. Dirty patio furniture
Before you pull out your patio chairs for summer, give them a wipe-down with bicarbonate of soda and water. And before you put them away at the end of summer, place bicarbonate of soda underneath the cushions or inside their storage bags to keep them fresh.
20. A musty linen cupboard
Just like in the fridge, an open box of bicarbonate of soda placed near your sheets and towels can fight musty smells.
21. Dull jewellery
When your sterling silver stops shining, get rid of tarnish by making a paste (three parts bicarbonate of soda to one part water). Apply it with a lint-free cloth (not a paper towel, which can scratch), and rinse.
Source: prima.co.uk
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