Baking soda is an excellent natural cleaning solution. It is alkaline, which means it easily neutralizes acids like grease, oil, and grime. If you are concerned about the environmental effects of harsh chemical cleaners or have young children who put everything in their mouths, baking soda is a great alternative cleaner. While cleaning with baking soda takes a little extra muscle, it is completely nontoxic and deodorizing, so your home will have a clean, natural smell instead of a chemical odor.
The following are formulas you can use to clean (almost) every inch of your house:
Toilet
To get your porcelain throne sparkling clean, simply sprinkle a cup of baking soda in the bowl. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then spray with vinegar. The baking soda dissolves stains and then the vinegar combines with it to create a chemical reaction that creates a powerful chemical reaction. Scrub the stains clean and flush the solution down the drain. The baking soda/vinegar mixture will also clean out your drain and prevent future clogs.
Bathtub & Sink
Soap scum naturally deposits around drains; it develops when natural body oils and fats in your soap mix together. To get rid of it, create a paste of baking soda and dishwashing detergent and scrub with a sponge.
For hard-to-remove spots in your sink or tub, mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 cup ammonia with 1 gallon of warm water. Use the solution to scrub away stains and deposits. The ammonia causes fumes, so make sure room is well ventilated and use gloves to avoid burning your hands.
Metal Fixtures
To deal with dull chrome fixtures like drains and faucets, mix a paste of baking soda and vinegar on hard water spots and let it sit for 30 minutes. Scrub it clean for a gleaming fixture.
Clogged Drains & Showerheads
The reaction of baking soda and vinegar works wonders on clogs in any drain or showerhead as well, without doing damage to the environment. To clean out drains, pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar down the drain. Let the mixture sit for 10-20 minutes and then flush it out with very hot water.
To clean your showerhead, detach it from the fixture and soak it in a mixture of 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup vinegar for 1 hour. Reattach the showerhead and run hot water through it for a few minutes to completely clear it out.
Stone Tile
Since stone soaks up oil, it needs to be cleaned with an alkaline cleanser. Baking soda has a high pH, which makes it ideal for cleaning oily stains. Use a thick paste of baking soda and water over set-in stains. Let it sit for 24 hours and rinse thoroughly.
Vinyl Flooring
To spot clean vinyl flooring, sprinkle baking soda over the stained areas and scrub with a wet sponge. To clean the whole floor, mix a half cup baking soda with a gallon of warm water and use a mop.
Carpet
You can spot clean carpeting with a paste of baking soda and water. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes and then scrub with a carpet brush. To deodorize your carpet, sprinkle baking soda over the surface and let it sit for a few minutes before vacuuming. Your carpet should smell fresh and clean.
More Tips
For more tips on home cleaning, check out all our blog posts. Remember, if the job gets too big or cleaning is last on your list of things to do, you can always call us to get the job done for you. Call us today at 847-GOT-DUST (847-468-3878) or 630-WE-CLEAN (630-932-5326) today to let McMaid do your housework for you.