Baking Soda is a naturally occurring substance that is present in all living things. It helps living things maintain the pH balance necessary for life. Baking Soda is made from soda ash, also known as sodium carbonate.

The natural chemical and physical properties of Baking Soda account for its many safe and effective uses.

Baking soda makes great simple, highly effective, earth-friendly cleaners that cost less. Try these at home and marvel at power of sodium bicarbonate.

Baking Soda To The Rescue!

HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS

Floors
Linoleum or tile: To remove scuffmarks, sprinkle baking soda lightly onto a damp sponge, wipe surface to be cleaned, then buff dry with a clean, dry cloth.

Ceramic tile: Mix ¼ cup baking soda in ½ cup white vinegar, and wash floor with mop or sponge. Buff with a clean damp cloth.

Carpet stains: Clean with club soda. Dry overnight. Sprinkle baking soda on the affected area and let sit 15 minutes before vacuuming.

Carpet deodorizer: Sprinkle baking soda on dry carpet and let it sit for fifteen minutes before vacuuming it up.

Woodwork and Walls
Dirt, scuff marks, finger prints, and crayon can all be removed by sprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge and scrubbing gently to avoid damaging paint or wallpaper. Wipe or buff dry.

Vinyl and Plastic
In a bowl, mix ¼ cup baking soda with one teaspoon vegetable-oil-based liquid soap until sudsy. Apply the paste with a damp sponge and wash the vinyl. Rinse well.

Metal
Silver and chrome: Make paste by mixing equal parts of baking soda and warm water and apply with a sponge. Rub, rinse, and buff dry.

Silver flatware: Boil in water with baking soda and salt.
Brass and Copper: Make a paste of vinegar and baking soda, or vinegar and salt. Rub on with a soft cloth, rinse with water and dry.

Aluminum: Do not use baking soda or washing soda on aluminum.

Gold jewelry: Put jewelry in a wide-mouth glass jar with 3 small squirts of toothpaste, ¼ teaspoon liquid soap, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and enough warm water to cover. Shake well. If badly tarnished, let sit for a couple of hours. Shake some more. Rinse well, dry, and polish with a soft cloth.

Drains
To maintain clean drains, pour boiling water down each drain every week or two to prevent build-up. For slow drains, mix one cup baking soda, one cup salt, and ¼ cup cream of tartar. Pour ¼ cup of mixture down the drain and follow with boiling water. Store the rest in a labeled jar for later use. For blockages, pour ¼ cup baking soda and ½ cup of vinegar in the drain. Cover until the fizzing stops; then flush with boiling water. For stubborn clogs, use a mechanical drain opener: a plunger or “snake”.

Kitchen
Appliances, counter-tops, splash panels: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge, rub surfaces to clean, rinse, then buff dry

Pest Control: For cockroaches and silverfish, mix equal parts of baking soda and sugar, and sprinkle around affected areas.
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Basic Spray Cleaner:Combine ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon borax, ½ teaspoon washing soda, 2 tablespoons vinegar, ½ teaspoon liquid soap in a spray bottle. Add 2 cups very hot tap water, and shake the bottle gently until the powders have dissolved. Spray on area to be cleaned and wipe off with a sponge or clean rag.

Scented Spray Cleaner: Add a few drops of an essential oil to the above recipe, or use a scented liquid soap such as castile soap.

Oven cleaner: Dampen area, cover burnt spills and grease with baking soda. Sprinkle some more water on top of the baking soda. Let sit overnight. Wipe up thoroughly the next morning with a mild abrasive pad. Dab a bit of vegetable-oil-based soap on a sponge and give the whole oven another once-over. Rinse thoroughly to remove all baking soda.

Microwave cleaner: Make a paste of 3 to 4 tablespoons of baking soda and just enough water to moisten it. Rub on the interior surface and around the door with a sponge. Rinse well.

Coffee and tea pots, cups or mugs: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge, scrub stains, rinse and dry.

Garbage disposals: Pour two tablespoons down the disposal every week to destroy odors.

Deodorizing plastic containers: Soak overnight in baking soda solution. Rinse.

Deodorizing refrigerator and freezer: Place an open box of baking soda in the appliance and change every three months.

Bath
Tubs, sinks, floor and wall tiles: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge, rub surfaces to clean, rinse,buff dry.

Deodorizing: Sprinkle baking soda in wastebaskets, hampers, diaper pails, down drains, down toilet (baking soda helps septic tanks).

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LAUNDRY ETC.

In place of laundry detergent: For clothes that need only freshening and removal of perspiration odors, but are not really dirty, launder with one cup of baking soda in place of detergent.

To whiten and brighten extra dirty clothes: Add ½ cup baking soda to your regular liquid laundry detergent. Launder as usual.

To deodorize and freshen sportswear, bed linens and baby clothes: Add ½ cup baking soda to your regular liquid laundry detergent. Launder as usual.

To remove perspiration stains: Add water, drop by drop, to 4 tablespoons of baking soda, to make a thick paste. Rub into the stained area and let sit for an hour. Wash as usual.

Fabric softener: Add ¼ cup baking soda to the wash cycle.

Deodorize clothes: Sprinkle baking soda liberally into pile of clothes. Load clothes into washing machine when ready to wash.

To reduce need for bleach: Use half the amount of bleach and ½ cup baking soda.

Shoes
Deodorize: Sprinkle some baking soda into shoes and sneakers before putting them away.

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AUTOMOTIVE

Headlights: Make a paste of ¼ cup baking soda, a squirt of vegetable-oil-based liquid soap, and a little water. Rub on headlights with a sponge, then rinse well.

Vinyl upholstery: See "Vinyl and Plastic" under Household Cleaners, above.

Nontoxic engine degreaser: Place ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup Plant Thinner
(turpentine alternative made by Auro Organics with citrus peels). Cover with 2 cups boiling water, and stir to dissolve. Sprinkle or spray on the engine and wipe off the loosened grease with rags. Note: Plant Thinner is flammable.

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HEAVY DUTY

Scouring Powders

Scented scouring powder: Put one cup baking soda and a handful of your favorite scented flower petals or herbs in a blender. Run until the aroma is blended well into the powder. Pour the aromatic powder onto the surface to be cleaned, adding a few drops of water if necessary to make a paste. Scrub with a sponge. Rinse well. Any left-over powder can be left in an open dish as a potpourri.

Disinfectant scouring powder: Mix one cup baking soda and ¼ cup borax in a bowl. Dampen a sponge, scoop the powder up with it, and rub onto the surface to be cleaned. Let the powder rest on the surface to absorb odors, then rinse thoroughly. Your can also put the powder in a shaker and shake onto the surface to be cleaned. Rub in with a damp sponge.

Anti-mildew scouring powder: Mix 2/3 cup baking soda with 1/3 cup borax in a bowl until well blended. Sprinkle on the surface to be cleaned or apply with a damp sponge. Rub well to loosen mildew, let rest on the area for a couple of hours, then rinse thoroughly.

Recipes from: Clean and Green by Annie Berthold-Bond © 1990; Nontoxic, Natural & Earthwise by Debra Lynn Dadd, © 1990; and various brochures.

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