House cleaning. It’s one of those tasks that no one likes to think about – or spend money on. But despite what the cleanser makers and price tags tell you, cleaning on a budget is possible. In fact, there is one item you have right in your pantry that will clean most (if not all!) of your home: baking soda. Not only is it cost effective, but you might even find that it does a better job than those expensive cleansers. Try these time-tested ideas that served both my mom and grandmother very well!
Basic cleanser for kitchen and bathroom
Baking soda makes a powerful and efficient cleanser for the bathroom and kitchen. Simply mix it with a little water until it forms a paste. This can be used to scrub your countertops, remove tea and coffee stains, or scour sinks and stovetops. Not only does it clean, but it deodorizes too, making it a great helper in the bathroom.
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Freshen your carpets, freshen the room
It’s easy to spend a crazy amount of money on candles and air fresheners to get rid of food and pet odors. Put that money to better use somewhere else in your budget by using baking soda! Sprinkle a bit on your carpet and let it sit for a few minutes. Then vacuum it up to instantly freshen an entire room.
Brighten your whites
Follow the lead of the expensive laundry detergent makers – use baking soda. You can use this homemade laundry soap recipe if you’d like (which uses washing soda), or simply add a bit of baking soda in with your regular detergent to brighten your whites.
Clean your pans
Admit it: Pans get yucky. No matter how much you scrub them, it’s impossible to get them clean which leads to that burned taste no one likes. To prevent this, simmer water and baking soda in your pan – right on the stove – to clean it. (I understand that it does a great job on coffeepots, too. I don’t have personal experience with this because I’m not a coffee drinker.)
You’ve probably noticed that a lot of expensive cleaners – from toothpastes to laundry detergents – are now advertising the inclusion of baking soda. And with good reason: This powerful cleaner is one of the best ways out there to whiten, deodorize and clean on a budget. All for about $1.00 a box!
Want to save even more? You can get these large cans (104 oz.) of baking soda for about $10 at BePrepared.com. It is a must-have item for your food storage pantry!
