Tucked away in your kitchen cupboard is a secret weapon for household cleaning and maintenance: baking soda. This humble white powder, also known as bicarbonate of soda, is a true multitasking marvel. It’s cheap, readily available, and surprisingly effective at tackling a wide range of domestic challenges. From freshening up smelly trainers to unclogging drains, baking soda can handle it all. Best of all, it’s a natural, non-toxic alternative to harsh chemical cleaners, making it safe for use around children and pets. Baking soda is one of my few go-to cleaning ingredients for my home.
Freshen Your Fridge
Banish funky fridge odours with a small bowl of baking soda. Simply place an open container on a shelf and replace it every month. The baking soda absorbs unpleasant smells, keeping your fridge fresh and odour-free. For extra oomph, add a few drops of vanilla extract or essential oil to the baking soda.
Unclog Drains
Clear slow-running drains without harsh chemicals. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. The mixture will fizz and bubble, helping to break down grime and blockages. After 15 minutes, flush with hot water. Repeat monthly to keep drains running smoothly.
Clean Your Oven
Tackle baked-on oven grime with a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with water until it forms a spreadable consistency. Apply the paste to the oven interior, avoiding the heating elements. Leave overnight, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. For stubborn spots, use a plastic scraper to gently lift the grime.
Deodorise Carpets
Refresh musty carpets with a baking soda treatment. Sprinkle a generous amount over the carpet and leave for several hours or overnight. Vacuum thoroughly to reveal fresher, odour-free carpets. For pet odours, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the baking soda before sprinkling.
Shine Silverware
Restore tarnished silver using baking soda and aluminium foil. Line a bowl with foil, add boiling water and a few tablespoons of baking soda. Immerse your silver items, ensuring they touch the foil. Watch as the tarnish disappears like magic! Rinse and dry thoroughly for a brilliant shine.
Soothe Sunburn
Ease the discomfort of sunburn with a baking soda bath. Add half a cup of baking soda to cool bathwater and soak for 15-20 minutes. The alkaline nature of baking soda helps soothe irritated skin and reduce inflammation. Pat dry gently and follow with a moisturiser to prevent dryness.
Clean Grout
Restore dingy grout lines with a baking soda scrub. Make a paste with baking soda and water, apply to grout lines with an old toothbrush, and scrub gently. Rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly. For extra cleaning power, mix the baking soda with white vinegar instead of water.
Freshen Trainers
Eliminate trainer odour with a baking soda treatment. Sprinkle a generous amount inside each shoe and leave overnight. The baking soda absorbs moisture and neutralises odours. Shake out the powder before wearing. For persistent smells, place a sachet of baking soda inside each shoe when not in use.
Polish Stainless Steel
Bring back the shine to stainless steel appliances with baking soda. Make a paste with baking soda and water, apply with a soft cloth, and rub in the direction of the grain. Rinse with clean water and buff dry for a streak-free finish. This method is gentle enough to use regularly without scratching the surface.
Deodorise Bins
Keep kitchen bins smelling fresh with a baking soda sprinkle. After emptying and cleaning your bin, sprinkle a layer of baking soda in the bottom before adding a new bag. The baking soda will absorb odours and liquids, keeping your bin fresher between cleanings. Replace the baking soda each time you change the bin bag.
Clean Hairbrushes
Remove product buildup and oils from hairbrushes with a baking soda soak. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a bowl of warm water. Soak brushes for an hour, then rinse thoroughly and air dry. For plastic brushes, you can add a drop of mild shampoo to the solution for extra cleaning power.
Soothe Insect Bites
Relieve the itch of insect bites with a baking soda paste. Mix a small amount of baking soda with just enough water to form a paste. Apply to the affected area and leave for 15 minutes before rinsing off. The alkaline nature of baking soda helps neutralise the acidic sting, providing quick relief.
Clean Patio Furniture
Refresh outdoor furniture with a baking soda scrub. Mix equal parts baking soda and warm water to form a paste. Apply to furniture with a sponge, scrub gently, and rinse with a garden hose. This method is particularly effective for removing tree sap and bird droppings from plastic furniture.
Deodorise Mattresses
Freshen up your mattress with a baking soda treatment. Strip the bed and sprinkle baking soda liberally over the mattress surface. Leave for several hours or overnight, then vacuum thoroughly. The baking soda absorbs moisture and odours, leaving your mattress feeling fresh and clean.
Clean Shower Curtains
Banish mildew from shower curtains with a baking soda wash. Remove the curtain and wash in the machine with your regular detergent, adding half a cup of baking soda to the load. Hang to dry completely before rehanging. For extra freshness, add a few drops of tea tree oil to the wash for its natural antifungal properties.
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Science is a never-ending source of wonder, constantly revealing truths about our world that challenge our understanding and stretch our imagination. From the tiniest particles to the vastness of the cosmos, scientific discoveries often border on the unbelievable. Yet, these mind-bending facts are grounded in rigorous research and observation. They remind us that reality is often stranger than fiction and that the universe is far more extraordinary than we might have ever dreamed. In this list, we’ll explore 24 scientific facts that might seem too wild to be true, but are actually well-established in the scientific community. Prepare to have your mind blown by the astonishing realities of our world!
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Katy Willis is a writer, master herbalist, master gardener, and certified canine nutritionist who has been writing since 2002. She’s finds joy in learning new and interesting things, and finds history, science, and nature endlessly fascinating.
