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Baking Soda Tips:
I refer to my baking soda as "cheap
labour." I can't live without it. Here are a few good uses that are sure to make life a little easier & less harmful for the environment than other cleaners.
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Dirty tub: I brought in the big guns to try to eliminate stubborn bathtub stains one time. I even tried bleach... to windex ...& so forth. Nothing was working. Finally, I dampened the tub & sprinkled a heavy layer of baking soda over the soiled areas. I let it sit for 30 mins & lightly scrubbed away the stains with fine scouring pad. Voila!
​ Oven door stains: open the door all the way. Use a damp cloth or towel, or even a pastry brush to spread a thin layer of white vinegar on the open the door. When it's covered in vinegar sprinkle it with baking soda. Spread evenly & let sit for 40 -60 mins; adding vinegar every once in a while to keep it from drying. Scrub off with fine scouring pad ...& wipe with damp cloth till door & window are clear.
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Soaking Pots & Pans: For pots & pans with heavy caked-on or baked-in food particles, try filling with hot water then sprinkle a good amount of baking soda & vinegar into the water & stir well. Let sit for as many hours as you are comfortable with, perhaps 1-2 or overnight. Then use a pot-scrubber to gently rub away the debris.
Soaking Paint Brushes: I am an artist & I use expensive brushes. It is not good for brushes to soak in water, however I have to at times; therefore I add baking soda to the water to soften the waters' PH. This helps loosen the paint in the bristles. After soaking, I use brush cleaner & rinse.
Cleaning Silver: One of my all time favourite tips for cleaning silverware, antiques, coins, and silver dish-ware. Line the bottom of the sink with aluminum foil- so that it covers the entire bottom of the sink. Fill the sink with warm water...then stir in a generous amount of baking soda (1/2 cup) + 1/2 cup of salt. (Not just any salt.) I find Windsor Salt does not work well, perhaps because it contains sugar. I use Mediterranean Coarse sea salt or Kosher salt, which I buy at Medditerranean markets for a very good price.
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Let your silver soak for a good 2 hours or so; flipping the silver, it should always make contact with the foil. Try not to over-lap any items. When finished rinse & polish with a dry cloth.
Baking Soda Underarm Deodorant - Wait! What? Underarm deodorant--- are you crazy?
I swear you will never buy deodorant again; use a powder puff to dab the baking soda under your arms & lightly rub in & around the pits. If you find the soda a little grainy- grind it in a magic bullet or spice-grinder to refine it, and save in an old powder puff container or something similar.
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Baking soda is 100% natural, not harmful to you and/or the environment. A win-win.
Soaking Produce: Food from farms, supermarkets & stores have been sprayed and handled by many people. As soon as I arrive home with the groceries I fill up the sink with water & add 1/8 cup of baking soda + 2 TBSPS of coarse or kosher salt. (Stir well.) I then add all of my produce - even if it has peels such as oranges and bananas. Everything gets soaked, then rinsed, patted dry & put away.
Vinegar for cleaning & microwave: aside from using vinegar as a cleaning agent mixed with water; pour 1/4 cup into a bowl of water, stir, then put in the microwave- turn on for 1 minute or so. Let it steam up the inside of the microwave then wipe the inside clean with a dry cloth or paper towel.
Lemon & Salt on Cutting Board: I like to keep my cutting boards clean & germ free, as I'm sure you do too. After using my cutting board I like to sprinkle a generous amount of salt all over it; rubbing it in with my fingers I then take a lemon half & use it to rub the salt into the board until it has been completely scrubbed. Dispose of the lemon & rinse the board with a dry cloth or paper towel. So fresh!
Lemon Hand Sanitizer: Store bought brands of hand sanitizer and gels either leave your hands feeling sticky & gooey or just plane dry or rough, so I make my own. Instead of tossing out lemon peels or a lemon-half after using it, I boil the lemon peels for about 20 minutes. Let stand and cool. Once it's cooled pour into a large mason jar, then add about 4 TBSPS of Isopropyl alcohol to the lemon water. Alcohol should not exceed 1/4 portion of the amount of lemon water. Let sit in the fridge for a day or so then strain & funnel into small hand pump or spray bottles. I carry them with me everywhere I go.
There are many good tips & substitutes for products; more than I have time to list, however I leave you with this tip; baking soda can also be used to whiten your teeth. It tastes salty- but your teeth will love you for it. Cheers.
