If you’re looking to save money on cleaning products and skincare solutions, give baking soda a try. It’s economical, and a little goes a long way. Mix it up with soap, vinegar, essential oils and a little elbow grease… and you’re on your way to cleaning the simple, safe and frugal way!
Baking Soda & Vinegar Spray Cleaner
When you need a mildly abrasive spray and wipe cleaner, baking soda plus vinegar does the trick. No harsh chemicals. Non-toxic ingredients. Economical… a little goes a long way!
Ingredients
1 Tb baking soda
1/3 cup vinegar
Water to shoulder of empty spray bottle
8 drops lemon essential oil
.
To Make
Combine all ingredients. Fill with water to shoulder of spray bottle. Shake well. Screw on cap of spray bottle and store for household use.
How to Use
Spray and wipe to clean and disinfect counter tops, sinks, tub, stove top and other appliances. Cleaner removes surface dirt and grime. For best results, follow with by wiping surface a second time with hot water on a sponge or cloth, to remove baking soda residue.
Baking Soda for an Upset Stomach
If you ate something that’s making you feel sick and you want to throw up and get it out of your system, you can drink water with a pinch of baking soda to kick-start the process of your stomach getting rid of the bad food.
Fill a glass of water. Add a spoonful of baking soda. Stir and drink. Expect results within a few minutes.
CAUTION: Baking soda is high in sodium. If you have high blood pressure, avoid consumption or speak with your doctor before proceeding.
Baking Soda & Vinegar for a Clogged Drain
Got a stuck drain that needs unclogging? Before you run out for Liquid Plumr, try this ages-old hack. Sprinkle about a cup of baking soda into the clogged pipe. Chase it with a cup of white vinegar. The mixture will begin foaming up out of the drain immediately.
Plug it with a cloth and let the science start to work on the clog. Wait about a half-hour. Boil a pot of water. Remove the cloth and pour the boiling water down the drain.
Run the tap for a few minutes after. The clog will likely have cleared. If not, you may have a bigger problem on your hands. Time to call a plumber!
Baking Soda Abrasive Cleaner for Sinks and Tubs
Baking soda works great for removing stuck-on gunk and build-up from sinks and tubs in your kitchen and bathroom. Mix up a small batch of baking soda abrasive for one-time use.
Ingredients
1 cup baking soda
2 drops lemon or peppermint oil, or a combo of both if desired
1 squirt dish soap
Just enough water to make a thick paste
To Make
Get a small bowl or container. Combine cleaner ingredients and follow instructions for use.
To Use
Wet a cleaning sponge and dip into the abrasive cleaner. You can also sprinkle the mixture directly onto the surface you’re cleaning. Scrub the surface using the sponge, adding more cleaner as necessary, to remove dirt and bring out the shine.
Follow with a hot-water rinse and wipe-clean using a sponge or cloth, until the baking soda residue is gone and your surface is smooth and shines like new.
Baking Soda & White Vinegar Laundry Booster
Sometimes your whites don’t get as bright as you’d like. Baking soda and white vinegar can naturally boost the effectiveness of your laundry detergent.
Pour a half-cup of baking soda into the wash along with your usual detergent and a cup of white vinegar. Wash clothes, preferably on hot for best results, unless they’re dark colors which should be washed on cold only.
Keep in mind that if someone has a skin sensitivity to baking soda, you might need to run a second rinse cycle using hot water. It’s also possible that a skin reaction may occur even after the second rinse. If this happens, rewash the clothes in regular detergent and avoid future use.
Baking Soda Skin Exfoliant
Looking to save money on skincare products? You can make a baking soda exfoliant to use on the face and body.
Ingredients
1 cup oat flour or ground oats
1/2 cup baking soda
2 Tbs. coconut oil (or another carrier oil, such as avocado, jojoba, almond)
7 drops orange or lavender essential oil. or a combo of the two
To Make
If you don’t have oat flour or ground oats, you can pulse whole oats in a blender. Combine with remaining ingredients and add to a container with lid.
If you’re prone to breakouts, you may prefer to omit the carrier oil.
To Use
Wash your face and/or body (such as in the shower) as you normally would. Scoop out some of the exfoliant with your fingers and scrub into your face and/or body using your fingers, making small circles. Avoid eyes and other sensitive areas.
Use a washcloth and warm water to scrub away the exfoliant.
After drying, follow with moisturizer.
Caution: People who are sensitive to baking soda should avoid use. If itching redness, rash or irritation occurs, discontinue use.
Baking Soda Rug Cleaner & Deodorizer
Baking soda is the ideal, low-cost cleaning product to remove dirt and odors from your carpets and rugs.
After vacuuming, spot-clean any stained areas that need treating, using a separate stain remover such as Oxy-Clean.
Sprinkle the entire rug with baking soda. Wear cotton socks and walk all over the rug to help the baking soda disperse evenly. Use a tough-bristled brush to work the baking soda into problem areas, such as where pet odors may linger.
Let sit for about an hour, then vacuum again.
Baking Soda Freshener for Your Pet’s Cage
If you own a small, caged pet such as a guinea pig, rabbit, hamster or rodent, you may need to deep-clean the cage from time to time. If you’re concerned about bleach residue, baking soda and vinegar can be a great, safe alternative.
To Use
Remove animal(s) from cage. Dispose of soiled bedding and remove all toys, food dishes, water bottles, etc.
Wipe the cage clean once more. Sprinkle with baking soda and add a small amount of white vinegar. Scrub the entire surface of the cage with a scrubber sponge or scrub brush.
Pay special attention to your pet’s lavatory area. Follow with a hot-water rinse using a cloth and repeated treatments, until the baking soda residue is removed.
Add fresh bedding and your pet’s toys.
(You can also clean those with a baking soda, vinegar and soap solution if you like) – then rinse, dry, and return all to the cage. )
Return your little buddy or buddies to their happy, clean home. No more stinky odors or mess!
Baking Soda for a Stinky Shoe Situation
Got smelly sneakers stinking up the house? Just sprinkle in some baking soda and let them sit for a half-hour or so. Take your shoes out to the lawn, turn each one over and tap out onto the ground to remove the baking soda. Or, use the vacuum attachment to suck the baking soda out of your shoes.
For added freshness, mix up a few drops of essential oil such as lemon and cinnamon, in a small spray bottle along with 1 teaspoon witch hazel and water to the shoulder of the bottle. Shake and spray for a fresh finish!
Baking Soda Cleanser for the Inside of the Refrigerator
Baking soda makes a great, economical solution for cleaning the inside of your fridge. Just mix up a paste using about a cup of baking soda and a small amount of water, plus your favorite essential oil like orange, lemon or eucalyptus.
To Use
Remove everything from your fridge and set aside on the counter top.
Dip your sponge into the cleanser and rub into the surface of your fridge. Remove the crisper drawers. Toss away any old veggies and wipe away messes. Then scrub these using the cleanser on a sponge, inside and out.
The drawers and the bottom of your fridge are typically the messiest, as this is where spills collect. Go over these areas carefully. Follow with a hot-water rinse to remove the baking soda paste completely.
Dry everything thoroughly before returning food, drinks and produce to your fresh, sparkling clean, and sanitized fridge!
Baking Soda Toilet Bowl Tidy
Fun fact: baking soda easily scrubs away stains and residue from the inside of your toilet bowl. If you normally pour a little bleach in to kill germs, add a sprinkle of baking soda in addition.
Swish and scrub using the brush. Don’t forget those hard-to reach areas. Flush, and done!
For the outside surfaces of your toilet bowl, make a baking soda and vinegar solution to spray on and wipe off.
Ingredients
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup vinegar
Water to shoulder of spray bottle.
To Use
Shake, spray, wipe.
TIP: Always start by wiping the cleanest area first — top of the bowl, outer surfaces, then work you way down and do under the seat and the floor/bottom surface last.
If you’re using a paper towel, toss it! If you used a cleaning rag, wash separately in bleach to disinfect, and keep that as the “toilet cleaning only” rag.
