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How many times have you heard the same natural remedy for a host of different problems? Baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda as it’s also referred to, is one of those miracle answers to everything from clogged drains to heartburn!
These days homeowners are becoming more aware of the damage that harsh cleaning chemicals can cause on their sinks, drains and homes in general. Opting for less abrasive unclogging methods will delight the emergency plumber Sunshine Coast and other Australian cities make use of! So, it’s time to learn about baking soda for this reason and many others!
Clean Everything from Floors to Clogged Sinks
Any person who cleans will tell you, it’s not always the easiest job! Especially when you’re dealing with stubborn stains and blocked drains. Read on for a few quick and easy ways baking soda can make cleaning around the home a lot simpler!
Clogged Drains
We’ve all had a clogged sink at one time or another. Whether it’s in the kitchen or the bathroom, it almost always ends up being a mess. For most people, this is the perfect time to reach for the harshest chemicals around.
Harsh chemicals work because they literally “eat” through everything in their path. While you might think this is a good idea, but it sends a chill down your emergency plumber’s spine! Harsh chemicals cause severe damage to your pipes, drains and other plumbing components.
Toss the harsh chemicals and opt for a solution of baking soda and vinegar. Simply follow these easy steps:
- Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain
- Follow with a cup of white vinegar
- Leave undisturbed for about 30 minutes
- Slowly pour boiling water down the drain
- Repeat if necessary for heavily clogged drains
Remove Hard Water Stains from Your Toilet
It might surprise you to know that you can use baking soda to remove the hard water stains from your toilet. Since both baking soda and vinegar have strong anti-bacterial properties, it’s easy for this mixture to get your toilet sparkling clean!
Simply add 1 cup of baking soda to the toilet bowl. Follow this with 2 cups of vinegar. This combination creates a fizzy reaction that breaks down the hard water stains and eliminates bacteria.
Remove Oil and Grease Stains
Kitchen tables, counters, sinks and stoves are notorious for having grease or oil marks and stains after a session of dinner preparations. The easiest way to rid your spaces of grease build-up is to sprinkle baking soda all over the affected area and scrub with a wet brush. Repeat for stubborn stains.
Clean Your Dishwasher
Your dishwasher is most likely your favourite appliance since it cleans just about everything in your kitchen. Instead of buying expensive cleaning agents to keep it in tip-top shape, simply place a cup of baking soda into the dishwasher and let it run on the rinse cycle. Aside from cleaning, it will also remove any odours!
Fresher Laundry
If your clothes are starting to look dull despite spending a considerable amount of time in the washing machine, there’s a simple solution. It’s as easy as adding half a cup of baking soda to the laundry cycle. The baking soda creates a better balance of pH, resulting in cleaner and fresher outfits!
Ashtray Odour
A simple way to neutralise the smoke and cigarette smell emanating from ashtrays is to add a mixture of white sand and baking soda to the ashtray. A teaspoon or two of the mixture should do the trick.
Smelly Freezer
Often washing your freezer with a soapy water solution isn’t enough to remove residual food odours. So, try a solution of warm water and baking soda. Wash the inside of the freezer with this mixture.
Dusty Vacuum Bag
Vacuum cleaners are responsible for gathering up loads of dust, dander and all sorts of other debris on floors and carpets. It’s no wonder then that they often have an unpleasant smell.
For an easy solution to a stinky vacuum, make little sachets filled with baking soda and dried herbs or essential oil. Place the sachets in the bottom of the vacuum bag and your carpets and floors will have a fresher smell!
Dirty Oven
Cleaning your oven can be hard work. Even more so when you’re dealing with a harsh oven cleaner that leaves you with a burning chest! A simpler solution is to sprinkle some baking soda mixed with coarse salt onto the bottom of the oven.
You can also mix a little vinegar with the salt and baking soda solution to make a paste. Smear the paste all over the inside of the oven, as well as on the racks. Leave overnight and scrub off in the morning. Give the oven a good rinse afterwards.
Final Thought
Baking soda is one of those items that every home should never be without. Not only is it a brilliant cleaning agent, but it’s not abrasive. This means there won’t be any staining or damaging of household items when you try and get them clean.
You’ll also minimise any potential damage to sinks, drains and plumbing components as you unclog them. Not only will this make your plumber happy, but it will save you money in the long run!
