I really loathe cleaning and housework in general, specifically the smell of cleansing chemicals like bleach and disinfectant sprays. In no way am I one of those 'go green' nazis that yell at you if you use chemicals. For me, I just wish to avoid that disgusting stench. Plus, my apartment has horrible ventilation and having your place reek all day and sear your lungs is awful. So I decided to search for cleaning (and any other useful) tips that involve baking soda, one of the cheapest multi-use items around.One of my goals this summer was to make some headway on my reading list which just happened to include a book I found at my local library .. Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of by Vicki Lansky. While I won't type out the whole book, I'm posting a few tips that I plan on using personally:
- Give cutting boards regular, deep cleaning to keep them free from contamination. Spread baking soda over the surface, then sprinkle liberally with vinegar. Let the bubbles do their thing, then rinse with hot water.
- Remove odors from plastic refrigerator food storage containers. Fill them with very hot water, add 1 tablespoon baking soda, a few drops liquid detergent and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Let set for 5 to 15 minutes-maybe even overnight-before rinsing clean.
- Neutralize odors in a kitchen garbage can by sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of the can before you insert a plastic liner.
- Add 2 tablespoons baking soda to your bath water and you won't have to worry about ring-around-the-tub! Your bath water will be soft, too.
- Soak dirty mops and rags in a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart water after washing dirt out, to get rid of residue smells. Rinse and let dry.
- Place more than one open box of baking soda in an area where you want to remove the smell of mothballs.
- Help remove stale mothball odors from clothes by adding 1/2 cup baking soda to the rinse water.
- Rinse pool chlorine out of bathing suits in a sink full of water to which you've added 1 tablespoon baking soda
- Drop combs and brushes in the sink to soak in a solution of hot water and 1/4 cup baking soda. Watch the dirt fizz away.
- Avoid allergic reactions to bubble baths and still pamper yourself at bath time by mixing 1 cup baking soda and 1 1/4 cup baby oil in the bath water. It softens skin and helps avoid winter dry-skin itchies.
- Be aware that a sunburn can be soothed by soaking in lukewarm bath water to which you've added a generous amount-from a half to a whole box of baking soda.
- Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, in a cup of water and rinse your mouth as you would with any mouthwash. It will remove onion or garlic scents as well as morning mouth, and leave you with a fresh-as opposed to artificial-taste in your mouth. By changing the pH balance in your mouth, it makes it a less friendly environment for many bacteria.
