You might be familiar with bicarbonate of soda as an ingredient in the kitchen, but did you know it can be used as a natural, eco-friendly, and cost-effective cleaning agent in every room of the house? It is an effective cleaning agent that can remove dirt, grease, and grime from surfaces without the need for harsh chemicals or abrasives. Bicarbonate of soda can also be used to remove odours, making it ideal for use in bathrooms and kitchens. With its natural properties, bicarbonate of soda is an ideal choice for those looking to clean their home without using harsh chemicals that can be harmful to your home, yourself, and the planet. Here are 8 ways you can use bicarbonate of soda around the house!
1. Unclog Drains
Clear a stubborn drain by pouring down half a cup of bicarb followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Cover with a wet cloth or tea-towel to contain the fizz, wait for a minimum of 10 minutes, and then flush with hot water.
2. Remove Limescale from the Toilet
If you live in an area with hard water, it doesn’t take long for limescale to build up in your toilet bowl. Easily remove it by directly pouring in 1 cup of bicarb, followed by 1 cup of vinegar and leave it to fizz. Once the reaction has finished, give the bowl a good scrub, and then let it fit for another 30 minutes minimum. Flush away and enjoy your sparkly new loo!
3. Refresh Stove Tops
Rejuvenate your sticky stove tops by making a paste with bicarbonate of soda and some warm water. Scrub over the grimey areas for a couple of minutes, and then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
4. Remove Stains from Chopping Boards
Are your plastic chopping boards looking a little worse for wear? Sprinkle the stains with some bicarbonate of soda, and drizzle some white vinegar, allow the mixture to fizz, and then scrub the surface with half of a lemon. Rinse off the residue, and your chopping boards will be looking brand new!
5. Renew Your Pots and Pans
Mishap in the kitchen? Add bicarb soda, water and dish soap to your pan, and put back on the stove to simmer for a few minutes. Watch the sticky stains disappear on their own, then simply rinse and wipe clean.
6. Shine Stainless Steel
Spruce up your stainless-steel areas by putting a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda on half of a lemon, and using the lemon to scrub the surfaces. Wipe off residue with a damp cloth and your stainless steel will look brand new!
7. Deodorise Upholstery and Carpets
Freshen up any musty furniture or carpets by sprinkling with bicarbonate, leaving to sit (and soak up the smells) for around 15 minutes, and then hoover it up!
8. Brighten Your Whites
Adding half a cup of bicarb to your white load will have them coming out brighter than ever. Combined with liquid detergent, it helps balance the pH levels to get clothes cleaner.
