Ok, I might as well keep with the cleaning theme today and talk about how baking soda has helped us recently. Also see my post today regarding the Crayola Stain Guide.
I’ve had this bizarre problem lately now that the sun is out. I’ve never actually seen it occur, but there were weird, greasy streaks on our doors and wood cabinetry at exactly La Jolla Girl’s height. Finally, I linked it to her sunscreen. We use California Baby and it definitely works for her. I have no guilt about using it since it’s natural. The marks kept appearing with more and more frequency, so even La Jolla Dad declared that we need to explore other sunscreen options. The stains seem to go deep into the wood finish because they can’t be wiped off even with wood cleaners like Murphy’s Oil. I Googled until I stumbled on a website that suggested baking soda as method for cleaning stains off wood products. I made a small paste with water, rubbed it on and it was like magic when they disappeared. Sometimes I had to apply the baking soda twice, but I was so relieved.
My family is messy. My cleaning supply cabinet is way too cluttered with specialty cleaners. In fact, today a pile of them came crashing down as I tried to reach into the very back to get a new sponge. So I’m as interested as anyone else in consolidating.
So here’s some other simple ways to use baking soda:
1. I ran out of stainless steel cleaner so I sprinkled baking soda on my stove, wiped it and voila, it was nice and shiney. Same with my stainless steel fridge.2. Grease fires can be put out by using baking soda. I put a box in a cabinet by the stove for easy access.
3. Burnt food on the bottom of pots. This happens all the time in my house. I normally use Barkeepers Friend which I ran out of, so I tried baking soda. It worked with some elbow grease.
4. Cleaning the kiddie pool. La Jolla Girl has a huge Little Tikes pool that we struggle with keeping clean in the summer. It wasn’t used for a few days and got some green funk in it. Used a few sprinkles of baking soda, a sponge and a hose to get rid of it. Easy.
5. Use equal baking soda and white toothpaste to get out water/white rings on coffee tables, etc. It also apparently will get out alcohol stains. We get a lot of the latter in our house since we have a dark wooden coffee table. On our table I can’t differentiate between what is water and alcohol so I just cleaned all of the rings like this.
6. Crayon marks on painted walls can be wiped off with a sponge and baking soda.
7. I haven’t tried this yet, but it supposedly brightens clothes if you use it in your laundry.
We all know the obvious - baking soda is non toxic, multipurpose and really cheap. Great if you’re trying to go green. La Jolla Girl even likes to eat it, bleh! See Cooking With a 2 Year Old. I went to the Arm and Hammer website and they allow you to register for special offers, though it takes 8 weeks to process. And no, they didn’t in any way prompt me to write this post. 
How do you use baking soda? Leave a comment.
{ 89 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: themamanut
July 16, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I love baking soda! I put it in the bath tub for sunburns, or bug bites, or even diaper rashes for my boys. Helps take the sting out… at least it has for me
Twitter: lajollamom
July 17, 2009 at 7:03 am
Sunburns, that’s a good one. I’ll remember that!!!
I’m going to try #7. We have terrible water and all the whites turn orange. Glad that I found you.
Twitter: lajollamom
July 17, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Let me know how it goes! Following you too!
Twitter: La_Belle_Mere
August 25, 2009 at 12:38 am
Great Tip!! I don’t have any Baking Soda tips to share I’m afraid. In fact I am about as domesticated as a 14 year old boy. But I love anything that makes life easier and that sounds like it does!
The only tip I have is never eat yellow snow. You can have that one!
Congrats on making FB!
LBM xxxxx
.-= La Belle Mere´s last blog ..Camping it up….. =-.
Twitter: yayaorange
August 25, 2009 at 3:16 am
Wow! Good ideas!
.-= Yaya´s last blog ..Monday’s Muse-Family =-.
Twitter: kzemek
August 25, 2009 at 3:18 am
Thanks for the tips–I never knew baking soda could be so useful! I’m going to share about this on my Friday “Things I Learned This Week” post at http://www.zemeks.blogspot.com with a link back here.
Visiting from SITS–first time visitor here.
.-= Karen & Gerard Zemek´s last blog ..11 Medical Madness Hassles =-.
This is awesome! My son keeps splattering milk on my wood furniture, and if I don’t catch it immediately, it makes a stain, so I’m going to have to give the old baking soda trick a whirl. Thank you!!!
Those are great ideas. Especially #1, #3 and the cabinets, of course. (can you tell we make a mess at our house?)
Happy SITS day!
.-= ck´s last blog ..the M files – in case of emergency =-.
I didn’t know there were some many uses for baking soda. I knew it kept refrigerator odors at bay…but cleaning pots and pans? News to me. I’m going to remember that (and hope I never have to use it)!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Rave Reviews: Velveeta Shells & Cheese Cups =-.
Twitter: womansvoice
August 25, 2009 at 4:55 am
I don’t usually use baking soda for cleaning, but I’m going to try it on my dishwasher.
.-= Flory´s last blog ..My Husband’s Heart Attack =-.
Twitter: dearjennymac
August 25, 2009 at 4:59 am
Baking soda is fantastic. Great post.
.-= JennyMac´s last blog ..Me love you long time =-.
Twitter: JenShelton68
August 25, 2009 at 4:59 am
I’m a definite Green Cleaner. Who would have know that everyday items such as baking soda and vinegar has so much power.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..One Hour Parties =-.
Love learning about new “green” ways to clean! Thank you.
Saying hello from SITS!
sweetjeanette.blogspot.com
.-= Jeanette´s last blog ..Fall Extravaganza =-.
Twitter: LiveLaughLoveCj
August 25, 2009 at 5:46 am
Baking soda in the fridge and freezer to keep things fresh and smelling good.
I use it for many of the same things you do. It’s a great natural product!
I’ll have to go to their website – hadn’t ever thought to do that (duh)…
Happy SITS day!
.-= LiveLaughLoveCj´s last blog ..Monday Mingle – 3rd Edition =-.
Twitter: cbethblog
August 25, 2009 at 5:52 am
Great advice! I’ve used it recently to clean the griddle portion of my stove.
.-= C. Beth´s last blog ..Today’s Writing Prompt: Computer =-.
I think I’ll try this on my stainless steel sink.
.-= Jill´s last blog ..Monday =-.
I’m a big fan of baking soda for cleaning as well.
For your bathroom sink, try a little baking soda + water paste.
You can make a homemade cleaning solution with some baking soda made into a paste with a little vinegar and 1 or 2 drops of citrus essential oil. Great “green” cleaner.
Twitter: Lifeofastepmama
August 25, 2009 at 6:01 am
Great post I had no idea!! I am going to try that at my house, I have a similiar problem!! Thanks so much for the tip, Happy SITS day!!
.-= Life of a Stepmama´s last blog ..Denied =-.
I love to use baking soda to clean my stainless steel sink. It also makes my brownies turn out so much better.
Good tips!
Stopping by from SITS!
.-= Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..Tasty Tuesday: One Last Summer Hurrah =-.
Baking soda works wonders. Happy SITS day!
.-= Allison´s last blog ..Week-end, it’s over right?? =-.
Twitter: 3littleonesblog
August 25, 2009 at 6:27 am
Love this post!! I use baking soda for so many things as well! It is what I use to clean our bathtub every week – it’s great and gets rid of all the soap scum!
.-= Jackie´s last blog ..How I Want to Wash Cloth Diapers =-.
Amazing! I think baking soda just became my new favorite cleaner! Thank you so much. My grandmother always said it was good if you were out of toothpaste. just wet your brush, stick some on, and voila! Sparkley shiney teeth!
Happy SITS day!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..The Parental Curse =-.
Twitter: handshouseheart
August 25, 2009 at 6:31 am
I’m bookmarking this one!! Happy SITS day!
.-= Kristen´s last blog ..Crazy Dog T-Shirts Review and Giveaway =-.
Great tips! Not only are my children walking slobs but like you my cleaning collection is getting out of control.
.-= the mrs.´s last blog ..who’s your best girl? and a side rant =-.
Twitter: tsunshine73
August 25, 2009 at 6:40 am
Baking soda rocks! I didn’t think to try it on stainless, I will have to give that a whirl!!
.-= Teri´s last blog ..my good side =-.
Twitter: dinky92907
August 25, 2009 at 6:43 am
I will have to print this out so I can remember all the good uses for baking soda!
.-= Tonya´s last blog ..End Of Summer =-.
Twitter: ziggy1962
August 25, 2009 at 6:50 am
I’ve had to use baking soda for a grease fire once. That stuff works on everything.
.-= Laura Day´s last blog ..Reflections of Mississippi =-.
Twitter: sandyra
August 25, 2009 at 6:53 am
Baking soda is fantastic! I actually have used it in my laundry and it works great!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..There’s Nothing Better… =-.
Twitter: JeSuisRobin
August 25, 2009 at 7:09 am
I have also used it for scrubbing pots and coffee pot
.-= Robin´s last blog ..The Storm =-.
Twitter: housewife
August 25, 2009 at 7:29 am
I use baking soda, too! I use it to take coffee stains out of the sink in the kitchen. It’s great on counter tops, too. It gets crayon off of my kids’ plastic table like nothing else. Love it.
Great tips, thanks!
.-= Claire´s last blog ..Parties are funnn… =-.
Twitter: megbelle0610
August 25, 2009 at 7:41 am
The powers of baking soda! I keep meaning to try cleaning with it myself, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.
.-= Meg´s last blog ..To Prove My Point… =-.
I use baking soda in the laundry and it is great to help get rid of the smell in towels especially during the humid days of summer here in Florida.
I also don’t use shampoo on my hair at all, I just use water and some conditioner every few days. But I do use baking soda to wash my hair after I’ve been swimming in a clorinated pool or salt-water. It works really good without stripping the natural oils in your hair.
I’ll have to try some of the other cleaning tips.
.-= Lorie Shewbridge´s last blog ..Self Portrait Sunday =-.
Oh I just LOVE tips! Awesome!
Twitter: intime0
August 25, 2009 at 7:56 am
I use it for laundry…not sure how much good it does.
Twitter: craftymomcooks
August 25, 2009 at 8:09 am
I love using baking soda as a cleaner. These are some great tips. I use it to clean my tile shower floor in place of cleansers like Comet. It also works great to take odors out of coolers and water jugs. I just make a paste and scour the insides, then rinse really well. No more water that tastes like homemade rootbeer, apple juice or punch.
.-= Kara´s last blog ..Decorating with Old Calendars =-.
I use baking soda for all sorts of cleaning projects. Great post!!
.-= Tricia´s last blog ..Meet Thailand’s cute and cuddly baby panda girl, Linping!! =-.
Twitter: RobinGillis
August 25, 2009 at 8:30 am
Yup, baking soda is awesome! I try and use only natural cleaners in every part of my cleaning routines, and baking soda is the natural cleaner king! I use it cleaning the tub, the kitchen sink, armpits in clothes, porous wood, and my favorite, cat boxes!
Happy cleaning!
-Robin
.-= Robin G´s last blog .."Listen with your Eyes" @ Solstice Cafe 8/7 Opening =-.
Twitter: BrokenTeepee
August 25, 2009 at 8:31 am
Thanks for all the great tips
Happy SITS day!
.-= Pricilla´s last blog ..Down in the Valley =-.
Twitter: noudles04
August 25, 2009 at 8:33 am
Very helpful
Stopping by from SITS
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Ten…. Eleven Guilty Pleasures =-.
I knew it was a useful product….but who knew just how usedful! It’s on my shopping list.
.-= Cynthia at A Shimmy In My Spirit´s last blog ..I’m A SITS Featured Blogger! =-.
I also love baking soda! I pour some in the bathtub when my kids have rashes. It really helps to soothe the skin!!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Mother of the Year Award =-.
Twitter: onesassychica
August 25, 2009 at 8:55 am
Thanks for sharing your secrets….
I too heart baking soda for cleaning!!
Smooches,
Sassy Chica
.-= Sassy Chic´s last blog ..Your HOT =-.
Great – I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with that pool!
.-= Rita´s last blog ..I wish someone had told me that… =-.
Twitter: missmalu
August 25, 2009 at 8:59 am
I actually use it in my fridge and freezer too to cut down on odors. Baking soda really is a girl’s best friend, huh?
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..TOS Crew: Web Design for Kids (…And Curious Grown-Ups!) =-.
Who knew baking soda was so versatile? I think some of the “old-fashioned” ideas about cleaning really are the best.
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Me? A French Chef? =-.
good to know but it always freaks me out when I find out something that is put into food can be used to clean things!
.-= Rhonda´s last blog ..MckLinky Blog Hop: Time To Laugh =-.
Twitter: Zeemaid
August 25, 2009 at 9:13 am
wow great tips. i knew most of those but did not know about the rings on the tables. I have a few of those… one is from a hot cup. I wonder if it will work the same?
Happy SITS day!
.-= zeemaid´s last blog ..A Mixed up Kind of Day – Warning =-.
I’m a huge fan of baking soda! Stopping by from SITS.
.-= Leslie´s last blog ..FROM COW TO WOW! =-.
Twitter: brennbug
August 25, 2009 at 9:28 am
I haven’t used it much except occasional recipe or to freshen fridge or freezer. I would love to incorporate it more into my cleaning.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Wedding Blunders =-.
Twitter: daphneling
August 25, 2009 at 9:29 am
Baking soda has to be one of the best inventions with the most unintended uses of all time. Great stuff here, popping by from SITS!
.-= Daphne´s last blog ..little-pp001.jpg =-.
Twitter: daphneling
August 25, 2009 at 9:30 am
Baking soda has to be one of the greatest inventions with the most unintended uses of all time! Great stuff here, popping by from SITS.
Twitter: domesticdork
August 25, 2009 at 9:31 am
I like to mix baking soda with honey and wash my face with it. It’s amazing!
.-= Holly Noelle @ Domestic Dork´s last blog ..SITScation ‘09 Contest! I Need YOUR Help! =-.
Twitter: cttRachel
August 25, 2009 at 10:02 am
I was just wondering last night what to do about a spot on my dresser. I’m so glad to find this post! I’ll have to give some baking soda paste a try. Thanks!
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Outdoor Flower Pot Gardening =-.
Twitter: coolmomsrule
August 25, 2009 at 10:36 am
We live in FL, and my Mom used to always make a baking soda paste with water to put on mosquito bites. Takes the stinging out, cools and reduces the swelling!
.-= Viv´s last blog ..Talking Up the Weight of Silence =-.
I will definitely be trying these when I get home tonight!! I have a couple of the things on your list that need to be taken care of.
Thanks!
.-= Alma´s last blog ..oink, oink =-.
I love natural cleaning products. I use baking soda for deodorant. happy SITS day
.-= Nadirah´s last blog ..Stubborn Baby Stains? =-.
Twitter: greedygirl1
August 25, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Stopping by from SITS these are great ticks. We just discarded a burned out pan because nothing was working, but now I know for the future
.-= GReedyGirl1´s last blog ..Drinks on Us: Low-Calorie Cocktails =-.
Twitter: SBMozer
August 25, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Thanks for including the list of ideas. I really need to have more than one box on hand. Baking Soda is such a versatile product!
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..Scrapbooking as an Educational Tool Part2 =-.
thanks for the tips! over from SITS!
.-= ttjenkins´s last blog ..Why can’t I figure this stuff out by now? =-.
Twitter: UnknownMami
August 25, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I use it as a carpet freshner.
.-= Unknown Mami´s last blog ..Guess Where I’m Taking You? =-.
Twitter: craftyballerina
August 25, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Great info! I use baking soda instead of “barkeeper’s friend”. If the cooking spray doesn’t come off of a pan, making a paste of b.s. and water gently “scratches” it off. My favorite is to mix it with vinegar for cleaning. Pour some b.s. down your sinks/tubs, follow up with vinegar, and when it’s done fizzling follow up with some hot water. No more spending a ton of money on Draino anymore! Also… we fill an empty Parmesan cheese shaker with b.s. Walk around and sprinkle it all over the carpet, let it set overnight and vacuum up the next day – goodbye stinky floors!
Twitter: lanilyons
August 25, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Great tips, thank you so much!
Happy Sits Day!
.-= Lani´s last blog ..And the Winner Is… =-.
I love baking soda. I too am working on twiddling down my huge supply of cleaning products because you can clean just about anything with baking soda and vinegar.
BTW, I have tried the baking soda in the wash and it does work.
Happy SITS day!!!
.-= Missy´s last blog ..Camping fun =-.
I’m going to have to try this for sure. I recently found that if you make a paste of it you can put it in your hair if there is hair spray buildup. Having 3 girls that has started being a problem now & then! Enjoy your day in the SITS spotlight!
.-= The Mom @ Babes in Hairland´s last blog ..Thought for Thursday =-.
Twitter: remarkablygreat
August 25, 2009 at 4:11 pm
We use baking soda a lot. In particular we use it (combined with vinegar) as a fabric softener. In the wash we put the normal washing powder and then 1/4 cup of baking soda. We set the cycle to have no spin. Then when that is done we put 1/4 cup of vinegar in and set to rinse and spin. I was cynical at first (my husband is working towards us using all green cleaning products) but it works really well.
My maternal health nurse also told me that making a paste of baking soda is good for removing cradle cap on babies. I’ve been doing it for my 10-week-old and it is definitely loosening it up. You put it on the head about 10 mins before a bath!
.-= Emily´s last blog ..Portable UV Dummy Sterilizer =-.
Twitter: simply_mommy
August 25, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Happy SITS Day!!! What great ideas. I hate using all the cleaners with strong chemicals. Thanks, I just might try them all.
.-= Simply Mommy´s last blog ..How has Motherhood Changed Me? =-.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sarahruthtoday
August 25, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Wow, I should try some of these! Thanks for the tips!! Happy SITS day!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..IT’S OFFICIAL!!! =-.
Twitter: HandOsmum
August 25, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I’ve used baking powder and vinegar to unblock drains and also sprinkled it baking powder on carpet to rid it of smells or into a paste to remove stains.
It’s great stuff!!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..The House That Jack Built….. =-.
Besides for baking, we use baking soda to clean up around the house. I like to use it to make a paste and then scrub the tub. We don’t have a bathroom window so I hate using chemicals in there.
Great tips!
.-= Nicole- Chasing Blue´s last blog ..Chasing fresh starts… =-.
Twitter: Moomettes
August 25, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Visiting from SITS! Thanks for the great tips – and I learned about Barkeepers Friend! I also have some Baking Soda eco-friendly tips too you might like
http://moomettesmagnificents.com/blog/2009/03/20/double-double-toil-and-trouble-diy-eco-friendly-household-cleaners/
Twitter: karenmeg
August 25, 2009 at 8:23 pm
great tips, and very natural and green, good idea for a post!
.-= Karen MEG´s last blog ..Musical Musings =-.
Twitter: tisworthwhile
August 25, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I never even thought of Googling something like this! I have white rings on my dark kitchen table and I just figured I’d have to live with them for the rest of my life haha. I’m definitely going to try baking soda!
.-= Jessica – This Is Worthwhile´s last blog ..2:50 pm =-.
Wow I never ever though of all the uses that baking soda has! I have been trying to go more natural in all my cleaners as the chemical based ones tend to give me really massive migraines and I am SO glad that I saw this in the sits blog! YAY!
And googling this… how neat! Gotta try to see if I can’t find other natural cleaners. I already make our own laundry detergent, using ivory for now but will soon be using my own soaps!
Twitter: greedygrace
August 25, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Baking soda is used for making cookies… and that’s about it!
GOOOOD TIPS…I am now a follower!
xooxo Grazie
Hi! stopping by from SITS a day late. great helpful hints!
Twitter: lsrubin49
August 26, 2009 at 6:44 pm
You can also brush your teeth with it, if you run out of toothpaste!
.-= Leah´s last blog ..If You Can’t Judge a Book By Its Cover… =-.
borex works just about the same way
.-= Tiaras & Tantrums´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
Twitter: TheRedheadRiter
August 26, 2009 at 11:17 pm
I LOVE BAKING SODA. I have brushed my teeth with it weekly for as long as I can remember.
HIGH FIVE SITS girl!
.-= The Redhead Riter´s last blog ..My Blog Is Pregnant With Multiples =-.
Twitter: LoveMyFireDawg
August 27, 2009 at 12:10 am
I think the only time I’ve ever used baking soda is in cookie recipes…I might have to expand that horizon…Happy SITS day!
.-= Éimí (Amy in Gaelic)´s last blog ..Photo shoot 07aug09 =-.
I brush my teeth with it hehehe but this is a very innovative list
hehe
Twitter: joytotheblog
August 27, 2009 at 10:17 am
Great tips! Belated congrats on your SITS day!
.-= Joy´s last blog ..joy to the blog’s stampers’ sampler magazine giveaway! =-.
Twitter: NYCHIT
August 27, 2009 at 12:59 pm
What great tips! My mom used baking soda on a mattress to get rid of stale odors. Works like a charm! I’ve taken the same technique and use it to freshen up a rug.
.-= A H.I.T.´s last blog ..Making Amends =-.
Awesome tip. Great for cleaning stainless steel sinks too I’m told!
Particular utilitarian dispatch but there are some point where I wish not agree. But overall its altogether good.
Twitter: dirtymouthmama
September 7, 2009 at 3:23 pm
And toothpaste mixed with salt! Amazing stuff actually.
Stopping by from SITS.
.-= Ms. Mama´s last blog ..Family Camping =-.
It’s been two years now that I clean my sinks only with baking soda to avoid spreading chlorine in the environment and I must say that the sponge I use to do this is much cleaner than if I used it with a commercial scouring powder.
The same goes with washing floors with vinegar. First it smells much better (french fries), and second the mop and pail are much easier to clean afterwards. So the whole procedure is much faster.
.-= mario@bathroom illuminated mirrors´s last blog ..Bathroom Mirror Medicine Cabinet =-.
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