Baking soda can make you think of cute cakes and pancakes; however, natural powder can also be used in many ways in your home. Baking soda is a renowned odor remover, can remove dirt and can also be used to treat heartburn.
With many of us avoiding strong chemical cleaners and opting for something more natural, it’s worth checking for baking soda in your cabinets to save some money.
Alternatively, you can buy baking soda at most supermarkets for just £ 2.
Although many of us know that adding a cup of baking soda to the refrigerator absorbs odors, and using it down the drain can change the blockages – baking soda can also be used in a number of unexpected ways.
Continue reading about five unexpected ways to use baking soda.
Read more: White Vinegar: 7 things to clean with white vinegar and baking soda
1. Treatment for heartburn
Heartburn or acid reflux can be debilitating, uncomfortable and can arise when you least expect it.
To change that uncomfortable feeling, you can use baking soda, as it has an alkaline pH that can help neutralize stomach acid.
If your heartburn pills are gone, you can use baking soda in a pinch.
Just mix half a teaspoon of baking soda in at least 125 mL (half a cup) of water and drink.
Remember that this treatment is not recommended for pregnant women.
2. Dishwasher treatment
Our dishwashers are useful tools, making dishes shine and helping to prevent them from being washed.
However, over time, limescale and odors can start to build up and our dishes can look less than fresh.
To combat this, place 250ml of distilled white vinegar in a container on the bottom rack of the dishwasher.
Then add 100g of baking soda to a small dish and place it on the top shelf of the dishwasher.
Do a short cycle and then let it sit with the door closed for 20 minutes and the baking soda and vinegar will remove odors, displace limestone and kill bacteria.
Clean it up afterwards and you will notice a clean, shiny dishwasher.
4. Remove the scribbles from the walls
If your child had an artistic moment and scribbled on the walls with crayons, baking soda may be the solution.
Sprinkle some baking soda on a damp cloth and rub the affected area.
Dry, the crayons must have come out of the wall.
5. Washing machines
While washing machines clean our clothes, they can accumulate soot and dirt over time and need to wash.
There is an easy way to do this using baking soda and white vinegar, without having to buy expensive washing machine cleaners.
Using white vinegar, you can spray around the drum and wipe with a microfiber cloth – making sure to let it dry.
Then add white vinegar to the soap drawer and start the washing machine on a warm cycle.
Then add half a cup of baking soda to the drum and run again on the hottest cycle.
This will raise odors, scale and displace any remaining bacteria.
Finally, clean the front of the washing machine and the door with white vinegar, before leaving the door open and allowing the machine to dry.