In the world of cleaning there are countless hacks, tips, and tricks out there for getting the job done. We’re always looking for ways to make cleaning faster, easier, more effective, and cheaper. In our world right now, it can also be a challenge to find all your usual cleaning supplies. So what are you to do? Today let’s talk about baking soda. Baking soda is one of those cleaning agents that can be used in a multitude of cleaning projects. It is readily available in most places. You can use it all over the house to solve stubborn cleaning problems. And best of all, it’s very inexpensive!

  1. Baking Soda As An Abrasive

Because of the texture of baking soda, it makes for a great abrasive scrub. You can use it in your sinks to remove stains and polish the surface to a bright shine. Just a little sprinkle in a damp sink goes a long way. Use it with a paper towel, microfiber, or even a sponge to scrub all around the sink. Watch as the stains disappear, and the surface begins to sparkle! In the same manner, you can use baking soda to scrub stubborn stains on other hard surfaces. Try it on your baseboards to remove years of build up. You can use it in your tub or shower to remove soap scum and stains. While you are in the shower, sprinkle some in your hair for a simple scalp exfoliation.

  1. Baking Soda As A Brightener

Baking soda is a mild alkaline powder that can slightly raise the pH of your water. This can soften the water and reduce bacteria on surfaces. This makes it great for brightening your white laundry or revitalizing older or vintage linens. If you have sweat stains in your clothing, soaking in baking soda can help to remove the stains. Add it to a wash load with bleach to boost the bleach effectiveness.

  1. Baking Soda As A Deodorizer

Baking soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate. This is nearly the same as the ingredient of washing powder, sodium carbonate. As such, it is very useful in deodorizing even your most challenging loads of laundry. Sprinkle it on your carpets and let sit for about 15 minutes before vacuuming to loosen dirt and pet hair. It’ll make your vacuuming more effective and remove any odors that may be hiding deep in the carpet fibers. Add some to your dishwasher and let sit overnight, then in the morning run it on the hottest setting and it will eliminate any lingering odors. You can even use it in place of your underarm deodorant in a pinch. Just sprinkle a small amount in your hands, then pat onto your underarms for a super effective deodorant that lasts all day. As a bonus, using it as your deodorant can even prevent those pesky sweat stains from getting on your white t-shirt in the first place!