Remember seeing the baking soda box in the fridge as a kid? Maybe you have one in your freezer or refridgerator now because you learned it’s an excellent way to keep away any unpleasant odors. But, did you know there are many more great uses for baking soda when it comes to cleaning & deoderizing?

Wanna boost your laundry detergents cleaning power or keep your sponges fresh longer?  Do you have stubborn stains or dirty lawn furniture?  We’ve got the baking soda solution for all of the above plus many more we think you’ll like.

CLEANING

1.  Adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to laundry can boost your detergents cleaning capabilities.  Add to the rinse cycle to to refresh sheets and towels and help get linens extra clean and fluffy.

2.  Sponges soaked in baking soda and hot water will stay fresher longer.

3.  Give the coffeemaker a thorough scrub with ¼ baking soda to 1 quart water.

4.  Sprinkle a handful of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwashing machine to absorb food odors before your next load.

5.  Cut the grease and foods left on your tableware by adding 2 big tablespoons of baking soda to your regular dish detergent.

6.  For burnt-on food in the bottom of pots, sprinkle with baking soda, then add hot water. Let soak overnight; the dried on food will come loose much more easily.

7.  Diluting 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of water makes a gentle, natural rinse for fruits and veggies.  Scrub with a vegetable brush or clean sponge before rinsing.

8.  Apply baking soda to a clean damp sponge to wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces, the interior and exterior of your microwave and your Tupperware.

9.  Get bathroom and tile floors sparkling with a mix of ½ cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water – mop and rinse.

10.  Shake a bit of baking soda over the carpet before you vacuum to get out any lingering odors.

11.  To avoid clogged drains, pour 1/4 cup baking soda down weekly. Rinse through with hot water.

12.  To clean silver, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to one part water. Rub the paste onto each item, then rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

13.  Children’s  toys can be cleaned using 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water.

STAIN REMOVAL

14.  To remove grease stains, either add baking soda to the wash load or pre-treat the stains with a baking soda paste.

15.  To remove stubborn stains from most surfaces in the bathroom or kitchen, use a baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda, one part water).  Apply, let stand, then scrub or wipe clean.

16.  To remove tea stains on teapots, soak stained teapot in ¼ cup baking soda and 1 quart warm water overnight before washing.

17.  To remove scuff marks or grease spills from the floor, sprinkle with baking soda and then wipe with a warm, damp cloth. This is even safe for no-wax floors!

18.  To help remove spills, blot as much as possible. Then clean as you normally would. When finished, sprinkle with baking soda. Vacuum. This will decrease the chance that some of the spilled item will remain in the carpet and cause unpleasant odors later.

19.  Remove crayon stains and other marks on walls and furniture by sprinkling a bit of baking soda onto a damp sponge and applying directly to walls and furniture.

REMOVE SMELLS

20.  Sprinkle baking soda inside shoes to soak up sweat and odors; to the bottom of the laundry hamper to keep the hamper from smelling between emptyings; directly on gym bags to deodorize; and over the recycling bin and its contents to drive away the stink.

21.  After you’ve cleaned a spill off your upholstery and the area is completely dry, sprinkle the spot with baking soda, let sit for 15 minutes, and vacuum to neutralize any odors.

22.  To remove stale smells from food containers, rinse out with hot water and baking soda. If the smell persists, let the container soak overnight in the baking soda and water mixture.

23.  To remove scents from a carpet, sprinkle with baking soda. Let stand for at least fifteen minutes, then vacuum. Repeat as needed.

24.  Leave a box open in a corner of your closet to mitigate lingering smells.

25.  To quickly clean pets and remove “wet dog” odor, sprinkle with baking soda and brush out their fur.

26.  Baking soda in the litter-box will help prevent odors.

27.  If there is a smoker in the house, put baking soda in the bottom of each ashtray to keep away some of the stale smoke smell.

28.  To deodorize baby bottles, fill bottle with warm water and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Shake, rinse, and clean thoroughly.

CLEAN & ENHANCE PERSONAL PRODUCTS

29.  Hairbrushes and combs can be cleaned in a baking soda solution.

30.  To help get out residue from styling products, sprinkle a little baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo.

31.  Skip harsh soaps and gently scrub away ground-in dirt and neutralize odors on  hands with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, or 3 parts baking soda to gentle liquid hand soap. Then rinse clean.

32.  Let retainers and dentures soak in a glass full of warm water and 2 teaspoons baking soda to clean.

33.  Dust baking soda onto stuffed animals to clean, let it sit for 15 minutes, then dust off.

OUTDOOR USES

34.  Before you store patio furniture for the season, scrub lawn chairs with baking soda and a wet sponge. You can also sprinkle baking soda underneath cushions every so often to keep them fresh.

35.  Wipe camping and fishing gear down with a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart water.

36.  For tough, greasy stains on grills, scrub with a wire brush and a paste made of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part warm water, then rinse well.

37.  To get gunk and mildew off of pool toys, use ¼ cup baking soda with 1 quart warm water and wipe down plastic and vinyl pool toys.

38.  To remove grease and oil stains in the garage, dump some baking soda directly onto the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

39.  Wash your car by mixing ¼ cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water.  Use the solution to clean chrome, windows, tires, vinyl seats and floor mats without scratches.

40.  To control crabgrass, lightly wet crabgrass then sprinkle with baking soda every day for a week.

These 40 just scratch the surface of the versatility of baking soda when it comes to cleaning and deodorizing.  You can also incorporate baking soda into your toiletries such as toothpaste, face wash and body care. Maybe we’ll cover that another day.  In the meantime, who’s going to buy some baking soda today?  Can you think of other ways to use baking soda in your every day cleaning practices?

Classic Cleaners is always looking for more ways to go “Green”.  Check out our sister site for information about our “Green” efforts!

– S.O.