Cleaning With Baking Soda

I used to use those powder cleaners in a can (ie. Comet or Bon Ami), to clean my bathtub and kitchen sink. Now I’ve found a better, homemade powder cleaner to use instead that does not contain any of the chemicals that the commercial cleaners contain. Here’s what you need:

Baking soda
Empty parmesan cheese container

Directions: wash parmesan cheese container and remove label. Let dry completely. Pour baking soda into container and replace lid. Label outside of container with a sharpie.

To use: dampen surface to be cleaned. Shake baking soda all over surface and scrub clean with a damp sponge. Alternatively you can shake baking soda directly onto a damp sponge and then scrub your surface clean. That works better when cleaning areas like the inside of your microwave where you can’t exactly shake the baking soda onto the sides and the top.

That’s it! So simple. I love using the parmesan container as the shaker because it allows you to distribute the baking soda more evenly rather than shaking it straight from the box where it comes out in a big clump. Once you save up several empty parmesan cheese containers you can keep one in each bathroom and the kitchen to make cleaning quicker and easier.

Baking soda is extremely useful around the house. I buy it in big boxes, not those tiny refrigerator boxes. Here are some other uses for baking soda from Real Simple Magazine:

Exfoliate skin. Wash your face, then apply a soft paste made of three parts baking soda and one part water. Massage gently with a circular motion, avoiding the eye area; rinse clean.

Erase crayon, pencil, ink, and furniture scuffs from painted surfaces. Sprinkle soda on a damp sponge, rub clean, and rinse.

Unclog a drain. Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, then slowly pour 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar after it. Let sit for five minutes (covered, if possible). Follow with a gallon of boiling water.

Remove tough stains from enameled cast iron and stainless steel. Scrub enameled cast iron with a soft nylon brush and a thick paste of baking soda and water. Clean stainless steel with a soft cloth and 4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of water. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Scrub pans. Sprinkle soda on crusted casseroles and roasting pans and let sit for five minutes. Lightly scrub and rinse.

Brush teeth. Use a paste of baking soda and water.

Fight class-B fires (flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, and grease). Baking soda can be used to smother only a small flame.

Deodorize. Dust baking soda under your arms to absorb body odor.

Clean up minor oil and grease spills on a garage floor or driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

Settle a stomach during occasional indigestion. Stir 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into 1/2 cup of water and drink for a safe and effective antacid.

So is it worth it? Yep. I use this method regularly in my household. Luckily you can try this out without a big initial cash outflow to see if it works for you too!