Baking Soda Tips {Part One}

Baking soda is a very versatile, inexpensive product that almost everyone has around the house.  I buy a big box at Costco because I use it so much.  One little box would not get me very far.  Here are some great ways to use baking soda.

1. Scrub stained plastic storage containers with a paste of lemon juice and baking soda.  Make it thick enough so it doesn’t run.
2. Renew old sponges and scrub brushes by soaking them with a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart water.  Soak them overnight
3. Clean grease and crusted food on pans by dampening with hot water and sprinkling with baking soda.  Let it sit for an hour and wipe clean.
4.  Cover burned on stains on cookie sheets with baking soda, then hot water, and let soak for 10 minutes.  Next, scour with baking soda and a scrubber.
5. Stainless-steel sinks and other surfaces can be cleaned by sprinkling baking soda directly onto a sponge and scrubbing.  Rinse and buff dry.
6. Clean tile floors with with 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water.  Mop and rinse clean.
7. Remove black heel marks from linoleum or vinyl floors with a damp sponge dipped in baking soda.
8. Clean your oven with 1/4 cup baking soda and enough water to make a not quite runny paste.  Rub it on the inside of your oven door.  After 15- 30 minutes wipe off.  If there are still small spots left they should come of with a scour pad.  (This is my favorite idea.  Works great!)
9. Every month or so pour 1/2 cup baking soda down your kitchen sink followed by hot water to prevent clogs.
10. Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge, and scrub your fruits and vegetables to remove dirt, wax, or pesticide residue.  Rinse well.
11. Sprinkle baking soda in your garbage cans each time you add garbage.  This will reduce the smell.
12. You can also deodorize garbage cans by using a solution of 1 cup baking soda to 1 gallon water.
13. Pour baking soda directly on a kitchen fire to put out the flames.  Do NOT do this for a fire in a deep fat fryer or a fire involving wood or paper.  If it’s too big for you to handle call 911.
14. Remove crayon marks on walls with a damp sponge dipped in baking soda.
15. Sprinkle baking soda directly on stainless-steel surfaces, and clean with a damp sponge.  Use a baking soda paste to clean chrome surfaces.
16. Add baking soda to a vacuum cleaner bag to help get rid of smells.
17. Clean up pet accidents or vomit by gently scrubbing baking soda into rug with warm water, and brush.  Vacuum when dry.
18. Make your own carpet freshener.  Take 1 cup crushed, dried herbs (rosemary, lavender, etc.), 1 teaspoon ground cloves, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking soda.  Combine ingredients, and sprinkle over carpet.  Allow to sit for a few minutes, then vacuum.  
19. Freshen blankets that have been in storage by sprinkling with baking soda and rolling them up for a couple of hours.  Then fluff in dryer without heat.
20. Store an open box of baking soda inside suitcases and close overnight  Do this every time they will be in storage.
21. Eliminate smells from rags or mops by soaking in a mixture of 4 tablespoons baking soda and 1 gallon water.
22. Clean gold and jewelry with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water.  Rub gently, then rinse.  Buff with a soft cloth.
23. Clean glass vases by filling them with three-quarters full with hot water, add a teaspoon of baking soda, and shake.  Let sit, then rinse.
24. To permanently fill nail holes on white walls make a mixture of baking soda and white glue to form a paste.
25. To clean tarnished silver, boil water and 1/2 teaspoon salt with 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda.  Place tarnished silverware in pan with boiled mixture and a piece of aluminum foil.  Simmer for 2to 3 minutes.  Rinse the silverware well, then use a soft cloth to buff dry.