Clean with baking soda - efficient and environmentally friendly

All of our best cleaning tips involve baking soda because it is both easy to use and an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical products. It can be used in cleaning to eliminate bad odors, remove stubborn stains, clear drains, and clean outdoor areas. There are many applications for baking soda when you're cleaning, and when combined with vinegar or white wine vinegar, you have everything you need for a sparkling clean home.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BAKING SODA AND BAKING POWDER?

Carbonate is a chemical compound that contains salts called carbonates, with baking soda being one of the sodium salts of carbonate. When in its pure form, it is a white powder, the one we buy in stores. Baking soda consists solely of sodium bicarbonate, while baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate, acidic phosphates, and starch. When it comes to baking, baking powder is usually the better option because baking soda is only suitable when the baked goods or bread contain some acidic ingredient, such as buttermilk or lemon. However, for cleaning purposes, baking soda is better because it is more effective and a purer product.

CLEANING WITH BAKING SODA IN THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOM

Cleaning with baking soda is very effective in both the kitchen and the bathroom. Baking soda works well for clearing drains, removing bad odors, and cleaning the dishwasher, which can accumulate lime deposits, food residues, and dirt.

Clearing drains with baking soda:

To clear a clogged drain with baking soda, first ensure there is no water left in the sink. You can scoop out any standing water with a cup and pour it into a pot. Then, pour 1 dl of baking soda down the drain and follow it with ½ dl of vinegar or white wine vinegar. Let it sit for five to ten minutes. Afterward, use hot water to check if it's flowing freely. If there's still a partial blockage, you can use a drain snake or plunger to clear it. You can also mix baking soda with salt for extra effectiveness.

Removing bad odors from drains with baking soda:

Before going on vacation, it's a good idea to pour some baking soda down your drains to prevent bad odors from building up. When you return, simply flush the drains with water.

Removing bad odors from the refrigerator with baking soda:

To eliminate bad odors from your refrigerator, start by removing all the food items. Then, mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with a little water and use this mixture with a cloth to clean the inside of the fridge. Baking soda will clean the refrigerator and absorb any lingering odors. Once you're done and have placed your food back in the fridge, you can keep a bowl of baking soda inside to prevent future odors. Did you know that at Freska, we offer a 30-minute additional cleaning service for your refrigerator?

Cleaning the oven with baking soda:

Cleaning the oven doesn't have to be difficult or time-consuming. Create a paste with equal parts of baking soda and salt, mixed with a little water. Spread the baking soda paste inside the oven and then preheat it to 200 degrees celsius with the oven door slightly open. Turn off the oven and let it cool before wiping it clean with a damp cloth.

Cleaning grill grates with baking soda:

Summer grill parties often lead to dirty grill grates. To clean them effectively, mix baking soda with water to create a paste. Rub the paste onto the grill grates and let it dry. Once it's dry, scrub the grates with a sponge, cloth, or brush to remove all the dirt. Rinse the grates with water and let them dry before using them again.

Baking soda for stained porcelain:

It's common for coffee cups and teacups to become discolored over time. Fortunately, it's very easy to remove these stains. Mix 1 dl of baking soda with hot water in your sink, place the stained porcelain items in the solution for about 30 minutes, and then wash them as usual.

Cleaning the dishwasher with baking soda:

From time to time, you need to remove limescale, dirt, and unpleasant odors from your dishwasher to ensure that your dishes come out clean. Start by removing food residues from the filter, cleaning the spray arms, and wiping the inside of the machine with a cloth. Then, sprinkle a tablespoon of baking soda and 1 dl of vinegar into the empty dishwasher and run a cycle. To freshen up your dishwasher even more, you can add half a lemon and place it where you normally put dishes.

CLEANING THE BATHROOM WITH BAKING SODA

Mix 1 dl of baking soda powder with warm water in a bucket and use it to wipe down all surfaces in your bathroom with a cloth. You can also use the powder to clean discolorations and deposits in the toilet.

Toilet cleaning with baking soda:

Start by flushing the toilet so that the inside isn't dry. Then, sprinkle baking soda over the entire inside of the toilet bowl and let it sit for at least an hour, preferably longer. Leave it overnight for stubborn stains to give it more time to work. Afterward, mix some vinegar with water in a pitcher or a spray bottle and pour/spray it over the baking soda. It will start to fizz and bubble. Scrub the toilet with a toilet brush as usual.

If you find cleaning tedious or don't have the time for it, Freska can help you make your home sparkling clean. You can book a thorough cleaning of your entire home with us, and you can also add extra services such as cleaning the inside of your garbage sorting cabinets. Read more about Freska's home cleaning service here.

CLEANING WITH BAKING SODA IN THE LIVING ROOM AND BEDROOM

Baking soda is not only useful in the kitchen and bathroom; it also works wonders for cleaning furniture, fabrics, and removing stubborn stains.

Cleaning furniture with baking soda:

If you have an old wooden piece of furniture that has a musty odor, baking soda can help. Sprinkle baking soda on the shelves and in the drawers and leave it for a few days. Then, vacuum away the powder, and the musty smell will be gone. Just like in the refrigerator, you can also place a bowl of baking soda inside your furniture to eliminate any odors.

Removing marks and stains from walls:

If you've moved a piece of furniture that left marks on the wall, or if your child has used the wall as a canvas, you can easily remove the marks with baking soda. Dampen a cloth and dip it in baking soda, then gently rub the mark, and you'll see it start to disappear. Once the mark is gone, wipe it clean with a damp cloth and finish with a dry one to ensure no moisture is left on the wall.

Cleaning carpets with vinegar and baking soda:

If you just need to freshen up your carpet, vacuum it first, then sprinkle baking soda over it. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes, preferably longer. Then, vacuum the carpet again, and you'll notice that it smells much better. If you have a stain on the carpet, you can dampen the stain with a cloth and then sprinkle baking soda on it. After that, spray a mixture of vinegar and water on the stain, causing it to fizz and bubble. After about 10 minutes, rub the stain with a damp cloth, and it will come off easily. If the carpet is large and you can't hang it outside, you can dry the wet spot with a hairdryer.

Cleaning mattresses with baking soda:

Over time, our mattresses can become less fresh, so it's a good idea to freshen them up from time to time. Here's how to do it just like with the carpet: Remove all bedding, vacuum the mattress, and then sprinkle baking soda on it. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes, then vacuum again. If you have a stain on your mattress, you can remove it the same way you would with a carpet stain.

Baking soda for pet urine stains:

Sometimes accidents happen, and you get a urine stain on your mattress. Fortunately, it's easy to remove urine stains with baking soda, and it works for both fresh and dried stains. If it's a fresh stain, first blot up as much liquid as you can with a towel. Then, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the stain and let it sit for a few hours. Afterward, collect most of the powder and vacuum up the rest. If the urine stain has already dried, make a paste with half baking soda and half water. Rub the paste onto the stain with a cloth and let it sit for at least an hour. Then, remove excess baking soda and vacuum up any residue. You may need to repeat the process for large stains.

Deodorizing vacuum cleaners with baking soda:

If your vacuum cleaner starts to smell bad, you can easily fix it with baking soda. Simply sprinkle some baking soda on the floor and vacuum it up to eliminate the bad odor. However, do not use this method with bagless vacuum cleaners.

LAUNDRY WITH BAKING SODA

Did you know that baking soda is also excellent for freshening up your white clothes and cleaning your shoes? Additionally, you can use it to clean the inside of your washing machine, just like with the dishwasher.

Whitening clothes with baking soda:

If you need to freshen up your white T-shirts, summer clothes, or kitchen towels, add 1 dl of baking soda to your regular detergent the next time you do laundry. Your clothes will look whiter and fresher.

Removing odors and stains from clothes with baking soda:

Did you know you can replace your fabric softener with baking soda? Pour 1 dl of baking soda into the fabric softener compartment to get soft laundry that doesn't smell bad. If you have a stain on a piece of clothing or maybe a tablecloth, you can try gently rubbing the stain with a damp cloth dipped in baking soda. Rinse the baking soda off the cloth and continue wiping away any powdered residue. You may need to do this several times to completely remove the stain. On the final round, wipe with a dry cloth to remove as much moisture as possible. If the garment or cloth is delicate, you can test this method on the inside or in a corner first.

Baking soda for shoes:

Shoes have a tendency to develop unpleasant odors no matter how well you take care of them. Baking soda is also a perfect solution for this problem. Sprinkle a little baking soda inside the shoes that smell bad and shake the shoes to distribute the powder evenly. Leave the shoes overnight and shake them out thoroughly the next day. If necessary, you can vacuum out any remaining powder. You can also use baking soda to clean the exteriors of your shoes. Mix baking soda and water to create a paste, then use a toothbrush to scrub the soles of your shoes with the mixture. Wipe it off with a damp cloth afterward. If you have stains on the tops of your shoes, you can dip a damp cloth in baking soda and rub it on the stain.

Baking soda in the washing machine:

From time to time, it's a good idea to clean the inside of your washing machine. Pour some baking soda, equivalent to the amount of detergent you'd use for a regular load, into the detergent compartment. The washing machine should be empty, with no clothes or other items inside. Then, run a quick cycle. While the machine is running, you can also clean the outside of the washing machine. Mix one part baking soda with four parts water, dip a cloth in the mixture, and wipe down the exterior of the machine. Let it dry for about 10 minutes and then wipe it with a dry cloth.

CLEANING WOODEN DECKS WITH BAKING SODA

Do you need to clean a wooden deck, a patio, or your wooden outdoor furniture? Baking soda is a solution to make the job easy and painless. Mix about 3 dl of soap and 100 grams of baking soda in a bucket of hot water, then scrub your wooden deck or outdoor furniture with the mixture to effectively remove dirt and green algae.

CLEANING GRAVE STONES WITH BAKING SODA

Believe it or not, gravestones are sensitive to water. Water can cause frost damage to the stones if it freezes in cold weather, so it's best to clean them during the summer months. Mix some soap and a little baking soda in a bucket, and use a stiff brush to clean the stone with the solution. You can use a toothbrush or steel wool to clean around inscriptions and decorations. Keep in mind that you'll need to scrub thoroughly to remove all the dirt. Then, rinse the gravestone with water. If the stone is very dirty, you may need to repeat the process.