Using Baking Soda at Home
Baking Soda is also known as Sodium Bicarbonate, Bicarbonate of Soda, and Bicarb Soda.
It is a chemical compound (NaHCO3) which is composed of sodium and bicarbonate ions. It is a mildly alkaline substance.
Baking Soda can be used widely throughout the home. Here we explore just some of it's many uses...
It is a chemical compound (NaHCO3) which is composed of sodium and bicarbonate ions. It is a mildly alkaline substance.
Baking Soda can be used widely throughout the home. Here we explore just some of it's many uses...
Cooking
From it's name, it is obvious that we use Baking Soda in cooking, where is is used as a leavening (raising) agent.
See my article on the Use of Baking Soda in Cooking here.
See my article on the Use of Baking Soda in Cooking here.
Clothes Washing
If you make your own laundry washing detergent, you will likely have added in Baking Soda.
See here for a recipe to make your own Laundry washing detergent
Adding Baking soda to your wash can:
1. Make your whites whiter and your colours brighter. (1, 2) Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash. Pretreat any spots by rubbing them with a paste made of baking soda and water.
2. The baking soda also softens the water, so you can use less detergent.(1,2)
3. Increase the potency of bleach. By adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to top-loading machines (1/4 cup to front-loaders) you need only half the usual amount of bleach.( 1,2)
4. Remove odours - baking soda is a natural deodoriser (2) and adding 1/2 a cup of baking soda tot he rinse cycle can help to remove odours form clothes and shoes. For sweat or smoke smells, soak the clothes overnight in a baking soda solution (1 cup baking soda to 4 litres of water). Agitate well.
5. Help to keep your machine clean (2)
6. Discourage bacteria - it is mildly antiseptic (2)
7. Neutralise acid - rinse out acid spills and then sprinkle baking soda on the clothing to neutralize any acid and prevent damage. Examples of acid spills include vomit, urine and drain cleaner. (2)
8. Help remove crayon stains - wash the clothing in the hottest water the fabric can handle and add 1 cup of baking soda to the wash. (2)
9. Reduce the amount of washing detergent required (3) The baking soda balances the pH in the wash.
See here for a recipe to make your own Laundry washing detergent
Adding Baking soda to your wash can:
1. Make your whites whiter and your colours brighter. (1, 2) Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash. Pretreat any spots by rubbing them with a paste made of baking soda and water.
2. The baking soda also softens the water, so you can use less detergent.(1,2)
3. Increase the potency of bleach. By adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to top-loading machines (1/4 cup to front-loaders) you need only half the usual amount of bleach.( 1,2)
4. Remove odours - baking soda is a natural deodoriser (2) and adding 1/2 a cup of baking soda tot he rinse cycle can help to remove odours form clothes and shoes. For sweat or smoke smells, soak the clothes overnight in a baking soda solution (1 cup baking soda to 4 litres of water). Agitate well.
5. Help to keep your machine clean (2)
6. Discourage bacteria - it is mildly antiseptic (2)
7. Neutralise acid - rinse out acid spills and then sprinkle baking soda on the clothing to neutralize any acid and prevent damage. Examples of acid spills include vomit, urine and drain cleaner. (2)
8. Help remove crayon stains - wash the clothing in the hottest water the fabric can handle and add 1 cup of baking soda to the wash. (2)
9. Reduce the amount of washing detergent required (3) The baking soda balances the pH in the wash.
Clean your Washing Machine
Use Baking Soda in combination with vinegar to clean and freshen your washing machine (2,4).
Top Loading Washing Machine (4)
Run a hot wash after adding 1/2 cup baking soda and 2 cups white vinegar. The bicarb and vinegar will help to break down any grease or dirt particles.
Front Loading Washing Machine (4)
Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the detergent drawer and 1/2 cup white vinegar into the drum. Run a hot wash.
Note that the machine may sud up inside if there is a build-up of soap residue. Clean your machine more often to avoid this build-up.
How Often? (4)
Every two or three months should suffice, but it will depend on your machine usage and what you are washing.
Top Loading Washing Machine (4)
Run a hot wash after adding 1/2 cup baking soda and 2 cups white vinegar. The bicarb and vinegar will help to break down any grease or dirt particles.
Front Loading Washing Machine (4)
Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the detergent drawer and 1/2 cup white vinegar into the drum. Run a hot wash.
Note that the machine may sud up inside if there is a build-up of soap residue. Clean your machine more often to avoid this build-up.
How Often? (4)
Every two or three months should suffice, but it will depend on your machine usage and what you are washing.
Fridge Odours
This I highly recommend. We had some eggs go rotten in our fridge and the smell was terrible. It was finally solved when I remembered about the odour-absorbing properties of baking soda.
1/2 a cup of baking soda in a container (no lid) placed in the fridge removed the smell in no time.
1/2 a cup of baking soda in a container (no lid) placed in the fridge removed the smell in no time.
Bedrooms
Teenage bedroom have a old shoe or dirty gym clothes smell? Placing a container or two (no lid) of baking soda behind some furniture (where it can't be knocked over) can help to make the air smell sweeter.
Washing pans
Two tablespoons of baking soda added to your dishwater, along with your liquid dish soap will help to cut through the grease and remove food from your pots, pans and dishes. Rinse thoroughly. (3)
Baked on food or burnt pans can be helped by soaking them for at least 10 minutes (even overnight can help for burnt pans) in a mixture of baking soda and detergent. Then use baking soda on a cloth to scrub the pan. (3)
Baked on food or burnt pans can be helped by soaking them for at least 10 minutes (even overnight can help for burnt pans) in a mixture of baking soda and detergent. Then use baking soda on a cloth to scrub the pan. (3)
Bibliography
These articles have helped me write this article and are a great source of more information:
1. Readers Digest - 8 Ways to boost Laundry Detergent
2. The Spruce - Uses for Baking Soda in Laundry
3. Tips Bulletin - 50+ Amazing uses of Baking Soda
4. Stay at Home Mum
1. Readers Digest - 8 Ways to boost Laundry Detergent
2. The Spruce - Uses for Baking Soda in Laundry
3. Tips Bulletin - 50+ Amazing uses of Baking Soda
4. Stay at Home Mum
Books on Using Baking Soda around the home
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