Baking soda is making a major comeback as one of the biggest all-natural housecleaning essentials. Considering how many things baking soda can do (deodorize, remove stains, brighten surfaces, etc.), it’s no wonder!
Here are 4 lesser-known baking soda hacks you can try to get a fresher, cleaner home without the use of a single harsh chemical.
Clean The Bottom Of Your Oven (At Last!)
It’s a chore that no one relishes, but if your oven doesn’t self-clean, this task will fall to you. Baking soda makes this task much less difficult.
- Create a paste from baking soda and water. (Start with a few drops of water and add more as needed.)
- Coat the bottom of your oven with the baking soda paste.
- Let the paste sit for 6 hours, then scrub it (and any food/grease buildup) away with a sponge.
- Using a wet cloth, wipe the bottom of your oven clean, then dry it.
Deodorize Rugs And Sofas
Baking soda’s amazing odor-absorbing ability can be used to freshen up smelly rugs, carpets, and even couches. Just make sure to do a small test spot on an inconspicuous area of the fabric first to make sure that the baking soda won’t bleach it.
- Vacuum away any crumbs and hair first.
- Sprinkle the area you want to fresh up with baking soda.
- (For sofas) use a bristle brush to spread the sprinkled baking soda evenly over the area you want to freshen up.
- Wait at least 1 hour so that the baking soda has time to absorb the odors around it.
- Vacuum up the baking soda with the appropriate setting/attachment for the surface.
Make An All-Natural Fabric Softener
Replace Downy in your laundry routine with your very own baking soda-based, all-natural fabric softener. Not only will your clothes be softer without the use of questionable chemicals, but you’ll notice less static cling as well.
- Measure out 1 cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of white vinegar.
- Combine the baking soda and vinegar.
- Add the mixture to your washing machine’s fabric softener compartment.
Freshen Up Mattresses
Everyone’s mattress can get a little musty eventually, particularly during summer or for those who sweat while they sleep. While mattress covers can usually be laundered, it’s hard to deodorize the mattress itself–but with baking soda, you can have a fresh-smelling mattress again in as little as 1 hour.
- Remove the sheets and covers from your mattress.
- Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the mattress’s surface.
- Spread the baking soda with a bristle brush.
- Wait at least 1 hour so that the baking soda has time to absorb the odors around it.
- Vacuum up the baking soda using the hose attachment.
You might also like Tips for Organizing Your Refrigerator.
