Baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, helps regulate pH—keeping a substance neither too acidic nor too alkaline. When baking soda comes in contact with either an acidic or an alkaline substance, its natural effect is to neutralize that pH. Beyond that, baking soda has the ability to retard further changes in the pH balance, known as buffering. This dual capability of neutralizing and buffering allows baking soda to do things such as neutralize acidic odors (like in the refrigerator) as well as maintain neutral pH (like in your laundry water, which helps boost your detergent’s power). It’s a simple reaction, but one that has far-reaching effects for a number of cleaning and deodorizing tasks.

Maids2000 TIPS:

Make a surface soft scrub…
For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile and sinks–even fiberglass and glossy tiles–sprinkle baking soda lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual.  Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry.  For extra cleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, coarse salt and liquid dish soap—let mixture sit then scour off.

Make and all-purpose spray cleaner…
Combine � teaspoon soda, dab of dish soap and 2 cups of hot tap water in a spray bottle.  Shake until soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

Hand wash dishes and pots & pans…
Add 2 heaping tablespoons baking soda (along with your regular dish detergent) to the dish water to help cut grease and foods left on dishes, pots and pans.  For cooked-on foods, let them soak first, then use dry baking soda on a clean damp sponge or cloth as a scratchless scouring powder.

Freshen sponges…
Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solution to get rid of the mess (4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water).  For more thorough disinfecting, place in microwave for 15-30 seconds.

Clean microwave…
Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.

Polish silver flatware…
Use a baking soda paste made with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water.  Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge.  Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining sterling and silver-plate serving pieces.

Clean coffee and tea Pots…
Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter off-tastes by washing mugs and coffee makers in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water.  For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight in the baking soda solution and detergent or scrubbing with baking soda on a clean damp sponge.

Oven cleaning…
Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white.  Sprinkle some more water over the top.  Let the mixture set overnight.  You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened.  When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven.  If oven doesn’t come clean, try again using more baking soda and/or water.

Clean floors…
Remove dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) from no wax and tile floors using 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water–mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor. For scuff marks, use baking soda on a clean damp sponge, then rinse.

Clean furniture…
Clean and remove marks (even crayon) from painted furniture and walls by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.

Clean shower curtains…
Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling baking soda directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtain and rinse clean.  Hang to dry.

Boost liquid laundry detergent…
Give your laundry a boost by adding � cup of baking soda to your laundry to make

liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash gets clothes cleaner, fresher, and brighter.

Gently clean baby clothes…
Baby skin requires the most gentle of cleansers, which are increasingly available, but odor and stain fighters are often harsh.  For tough stains add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your liquid laundry detergent, or a 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle for deodorization.

Clean cloth diapers…
Dissolve � cup of baking soda in 2 quarts of water and soak diapers thoroughly.

Clean and freshen sports gear…
Use a baking soda solution (4 tablespoons Baking soda in 1 quart warm water) to clean and deodorize smelly sports equipment. Sprinkle baking soda into golf bags and gym bags to deodorize.  Clean golf irons (without scratching them!) with a baking soda paste (3 parts Baking soda to 1 part water) and a brush. Rinse thoroughly.

Remove Oil and Grease Stains…
Use Baking soda to clean up light-duty oil and grease spills on your garage floor or in your driveway.  Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

Clean Batteries…
Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, etc. because it’s a mild alkali.  Be sure to disconnect the battery terminals before cleaning.  Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water.  Apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the battery terminal.  After cleaning and re-connecting the terminals, wipe them with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion.  Use caution careful when working around batteries–they contain a strong acid.

Car wash…
Use baking soda to clean your car lights, chrome, windows, tires, vinyl seats and floor mats without worrying about unwanted scratch marks.  Use a baking soda solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water.  Apply with a sponge or soft cloth to remove road grime, tree sap, bugs, and tar.  For stubborn stains use baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge or soft brush.

Deodorize refrigerator…
Place an open box in the back of the fridge to neutralize odors.

Deodorize cutting board…
Sprinkle the cutting board with baking soda, scrub, rinse.

Deodorize trashcans…
Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trashcan to keep stinky trash smells at bay.

Deodorize recyclables…
Sprinkle baking soda on top as you add to the container.  Clean recyclable container periodically by sprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge, wiping and rinsing.

Deodorize drains and garbage disposal…
To deodorize your sink and tub drains, and keep lingering odors from resurfacing, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water–it will neutralize both acid and basic odors for a fresh drain. (This is a good way to dispose of baking soda that is being retired from your refrigerator.)

Dishwasher…
Use Baking soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasher and then as a gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.

Deodorize lunch boxes…
Between uses, place a spill-proof box of baking soda in lunch boxes to absorb lingering odors.

Remove odor from carpets…
Liberally sprinkle baking soda on carpet.  Leave overnight or as long as possible (the longer, the better).  Sweep up the larger amounts of baking soda and vacuum up the rest. (Note that your vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy)  This also deodorizes your vacuum cleaner.

Freshen closets…
Place a box on the shelf to keep the closet smelling fresh.

Deodorizing cars…
Sprinkle baking soda directly on fabric seats and carpets. Wait at least 15 minutes (longer for strong odors). Then vacuum.

Deodorize cat box…
Cover the bottom of the pan with baking soda.  Fill as usual with litter.  To freshen between changes, sprinkle baking soda on top of the litter after scooping out waste.

Deodorize pet bedding…
Eliminate odors from your pets bedding by sprinkling liberally with baking soda.  Wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odors). Then vacuum up.

Deodorize sneakers…
Keep odors from spreading in smelly sneakers by shaking baking soda into them when not in use. Shake out before wearing.

Freshen linens and other laundry…
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle for fresher sheets and towels.

Freshen stuffed animals…
Keep favorite cuddly toys fresh with a dry shower of baking soda.  Sprinkle baking soda on and let it sit for 15 minutes before brushing off.

Camping cure-all…
Baking soda is a must-have for your next camping trip.  It’s a dish washer, pot scrubber, hand cleanser, deodorant, tooth paste and fire extinguisher.

Extinguish fires…
Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor grease or electrical kitchen fires, because when baking soda is heated, it gives off carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking fires (frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity only if you can safely do so.  Stand back and throw handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame to help put out the fire.  Call the Fire Department just to be safe.

Septic care…
Regular use of baking soda in your drains can help keep your septic system flowing freely.  Flushing 1 cup of baking soda per week will help maintain a favorable pH in your septic tank.