Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is a powerhouse when it comes to natural cleaning.
Here are some easy and effective homemade cleaning hacks using bicarb soda.
All-purpose cleaner
Mix ½ cup bicarb soda with a few drops of dish soap and enough water to make a paste. Use it to scrub sinks, bench tops and bathroom surfaces.
Deodorise carpets
Sprinkle bicarb soda over carpets, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then vacuum it up to remove odours.
Freshen up your mattress
Dust bicarb soda over your mattress, let it sit for an hour, and vacuum it up to remove moisture and odours.
Unclog drains
Pour ½ cup bicarb soda down the drain, followed by ½cup vinegar. Let it fizz for 5-10 minutes, then flush with hot water.
Clean greasy pots and pans
Sprinkle bicarb soda on greasy cookware, add a little water, and let it sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing. It helps break down stubborn grease.
Whiten laundry naturally
Add ½ cup bicarb soda to your laundry load along with detergent to brighten whites and freshen clothes.
Remove fridge odours
Place an open container of bicarb soda in the fridge to absorb smells. Replace every one to two months.
Shine up silverware
Make a paste with bicarb soda and water, rub it onto tarnished silver, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse and buff dry.
Clean tile grout
Mix bicarb soda and hydrogen peroxide into a paste, apply to grout, let sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush.
Freshen up shoes
Sprinkle bicarb soda inside shoes overnight to absorb moisture and odours, then shake it out in the morning.