My family-owned carpet cleaning business, located in Westchester County, NY, was started by my father. He got his start in the cleaning and restoration industry as the co-owner of a dry cleaning store. My father's cleaning knowledge is vast, which is why we jokingly call him Hazel (LOL). Over the years, he added carpet cleaning to his resume and began to seek out methods of "greener" cleaning, before it was ever popular. So I am passing along his homemade solutions for cleaning everything you could possibly imagine with common household products to all of you.
My last blog covered the amazing power of vinegar (our #1 favorite product). Today, I am moving on to the product that's #2 on our list................. Baking Soda! It's inexpensive, all-natural, non-toxic and multi-purpose. Not only is it an essential item to have in your kitchen arsenal for cooking, but it can actually clean the pots and pans, too! Baking soda's uses are really quite amazing and combined with other household items, the list becomes limitless. So let's get into the countless ways that you can use baking soda to clean and deodorize.
Baking soda is a natural odor absorber. I'm sure you've heard of putting a container of baking soda in your refrigerator to absorb fouls odors. But there are countless other places where baking soda can eliminate nasty smells. Sprinkle it in the bottom of garbage cans, diaper pails, cat litter boxes, clothes hampers, sneakers, boots, and other stinky containers of your choosing. If you have a garbage disposal, then you know how awful the smell from it can be. Just pour some baking soda in, let it sit for an hour, rinse with hot water while the disposal is running and presto, no more foul odors. Dropping a lemon peel or some lemon juice in you disposal can help, too, but that's another blog. If you have a dog that loves playing in the rain, or just smells like a wet dog, sprinkle some baking soda on their coat and brush out. It really does work, just like the other tips I have given, I have personally tried them all. Another smart way to use baking soda is to sprinkle it on camping gear before you store it. If your gear is damp, it will absorb any lingering musty smells. The next tip is actually courtesy of my sister. Those plastic food storage containers can really hold on to food odors. Pour in some baking soda and a small amount of hot water. Let the container sit overnight, rinse and just like magic, food odors disappear. Now, as a carpet cleaner, you couldn't possibly think that I wouldn't mention a use for baking soda on your carpets, could you? Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on your DRY carpets or rugs and follow with a thorough vacuuming. Not only will the baking soda freshen your carpets but you vacuum will be odorless, too.
Moving on to cleaning. Baking soda cleans without abrading or scratching surfaces. Simply sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge to clean your counter tops. This works on refrigerators, microwaves and stove tops, too. Baking soda acts as a natural de-greaser so use it to remove greasy build-up or grease covered appliances. You can even use it to remove oily or greasy spills on your driveway or garage. If you have pots with burnt-on food stuck in, on, or underneath them, just use baking soda and a damp sponge to remove it. For more serious burnt-on food stains, make a thick paste from baking soda and small amount of water. Apply the paste, let it sit, then wash with hot water. Baking soda can even remove scuff marks on your floors without scratching them. Use it to remove mildew from your patio furniture, outdoor toys, kiddie pools, and shower curtains. Like I said before, baking soda will scour a surface without scratching it. If you use chlorine bleach in the washing machine, add 1/2 cup baking soda, too. Baking soda actually increases the effectiveness of the bleach, not to mention the fact that it will eliminate tough odors.
The uses of baking soda are endless and I could go on and on and on. But I would love to hear some tips from you in the blogosphere about the amazing ways to use baking soda, or any other household products. Leave a comment with your tip and I will include it in an updated version. Happy Green Cleaning!
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