The Many Uses for Baking Soda (Part Two): Around the House

   By KellyOEH  Apr 23, 2012
1

For the next couple of weeks, I will be sharing the many ways baking soda can be utilized in a multiple-part series called, "The Many Uses for Baking Soda." A few weeks ago, I posted Part One of this series, where I first discussed the variety of ways in which baking soda can be used in the kitchen. In Part Two, I will be discussing the many general household uses for baking soda. 

 

Let’s get started: 

 

  1. As a carpet shampoo*, a part water (about a gallon) and baking soda (about a ½ cup or so) solution can be used in the actual shampoo machine. For spot treatment*, dampen the area where the stain is and sprinkle baking soda on it. Let it sit for a few hours and then wipe clean.
  2. As a carpet freshener, sprinkle all over carpet and let it sit for a while. Then simply vacuum everything up when ready. The same could be done on upholstery.
  3. Create a baking soda and water paste. Use the paste with a wet sponge or clothe to eliminate stains and marks on walls and floors.
  4. Baking soda can be used as a de-icer to replace rock-salts or cat litter.
  5. Baking soda is a great odor eliminator. Just sprinkle it on or in anything that needs a little freshening up. This could include ash trays, drains, shoes, litter boxes, etc. You could also make a baking soda sachet with a nylon panty hose, fabric, or tissue. This could then be left in closets, hampers, drawers, etc.
  6. Clean up oil spill stains in the driveway or garage by sprinkling baking soda liberally, and leaving overnight.
  7. Use a baking soda/water paste as a laundry stain pre-treater*­. Rub the paste on the stain prior to washing. This is great for removing all kinds of stains.
  8. It is also works as pre-wash soaking agent for clothes*, by helping to get rid of chlorine and other chemical odors. This is also great for cleaning pet beds (add a little to the wash).
  9. Rid tarnish on silver jewelry by soaking it in a baking soda and hot water solution. Then rinse clean.
  10. Piggybacking off of #9, if you are a coin collector, this also works great for cleaning coins.
  11. A water and baking soda paste can work as a great jewelry (gold, not gemstones) cleaner.
  12. For old musty (and smelly!) books and papers, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda to freshen them up.
  13. Soak paint brushes in a baking soda and water solution to remove paint thinner from them.
  14. Baking soda works well at keeping away ants and silverfish. Just sprinkle a little in your problem areas.  The best part...it's way safer than using a regular pesticide.
  15. Baking soda has been known to remove battery corrosion.
  16. It can be used to help balance the PH and alkalinity in spas and pools.
  17. Piggy backing off of #16, this idea has been known to also work for fish tanks.
  18. In the garden, baking soda can keep rodents away and can even help balance the acidity levels in your soil (and your compost bin), keeping it fresh.
  19. Washing clay/Terra-cotta planting pots with baking soda is a safe and gentle way to keep them clean.
  20. Sprinkle baking soda into bird baths and outdoor fountains to keep them clean and fresh.
  21. Sprinkle a little baking soda in coolers to keep them dry and free from odors.
  22. Freshen up an old stuffed animal without the risk of ruining it in the washer. Just put it in a bag with a few sprinkles of baking soda and leave it for a half hour. Afterwards, just dust/vacuum off the excess baking soda.
  23. Baking soda makes an excellent ingredient in homemade cleaning solutions. You can use the cleaning solution to clean almost anything and everything, including bathtubs, sinks, toilets, tile floors, etc. (There are many cleaning solution variations out there, but I will post a couple of my favorites, below.)

 

HOMEMADE BAKING SODA CLEANING SOLUTIONS:

Solution 1:

1/4 to 1/3 cup of baking soda

1/2 cup of white vinegar

1 gallon of warm water

 

Solution 2:

1/4 cup of baking soda

1/4 cup of Ammonia (a few tablespoons of dish washing liquid could be used as a substitute)

2 quarts of warm water

 

Both solutions could be combined in a bucket for immediate use. You could also combine ingredients into a squirt bottle or spray bottle for later use and quick access.

 

That pretty much sums up Part Two of the Many Uses for Baking Soda series. As always, I would love to hear everyone’s input on what they like to use baking soda for.  Please feel free to comment, below. The possibilities are endless! Also, if you missed Part One of the Many Uses for Baking Soda, you can visit here to read the post. 

 

Stay tuned, for Part Three of the Many Uses for Baking Soda, where I will be discussing its health and beauty benefits.

 

*for carpet, clothing, and upholstery, I always recommend doing a colorfast fabric test in a small area, beforehand, to make sure nothing bleeds or fades.

 

Make a Comment

 
SHARE
Comments
mjbell2 by mjbell2 | Ellsinore, MO
May 17, 2012

Paste to help fix poison ivy...mix a little baking soda with rubbing alcohol...add to the afflicted area and let dry. It helps dry out the the blisters and makes it stop itching. Do this 2-3 times on the first day and it will be dried out a lot faster than with other treatments!