Ok, I might as well add more tips for keeping your home clean today and discuss how baking soda has helped us around the house recently.
We’ve had this bizarre problem, 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 my toddler’s height.
Finally, I linked it to her sunscreen. She would occasionally transfer the sunscreen to our cabinets should say her arm brush against them as she walked by. The stains seem to go deep into the wood finish because they can’t be wiped off with wood cleaners like Murphy Oil wood soap.
I Googled until I stumbled on a website that suggested using baking soda as a method for cleaning stains off wood products. I made a small paste with water, rubbed it on the sunscreen streaks and they disappeared like magic. Sometimes I had to apply the baking soda paste twice.
My family is messy and our cleaning cabinet is full of specialty cleaners. Recently, a pile of them came crashing down as I tried to reach into the very back to grab a new sponge.
So, I’m interested in consolidating cleaning products, especially with natural cleaners.
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Simple Ways to Clean with Baking Soda
Use as a Stainless Steel Cleaner
I ran out of stainless steel cleaner so I sprinkled baking soda on my stove, wiped it and, voila, it was nice and shiny. It works also on my stainless steel fridge.
Put Out Grease Fires
Grease fires can be put out by using baking soda. We keep a large box in a cabinet by the stove for easy access.
Clean Pots and Pans
Use baking soda to clean burned food off the bottom of pots. This happens all the time in my house. I normally use Bar Keepers Friend which I ran out of, so I tried baking soda. It worked with some elbow grease.
Clean Kids’ Toys
It cleans the kiddie pool. My daughter has a huge Little Tikes pool that we struggle to keep clean in the summer. It wasn’t used for a few days and some green funk grew in it. I used a few sprinkles of baking soda, a sponge and a hose to get rid of it. Easy.
Remove Water and Alcohol Stains on Wood
Use equal parts baking soda and white toothpaste to remove water stains on wood coffee tables. I haven’t tried it, but baking soda apparently will remove alcohol stains on wood. We get a lot of wine stains 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 left by glassware on the table simultaneously and it worked.
Wipe off Crayon Marks on Walls
Crayon marks on painted walls can be wiped off with a sponge and baking soda. (Magic Eraser works pretty well, too.)
Brightens Laundry
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, multi-purpose and really cheap. It’s an excellent option for those trying to go green around the house.
How do you use baking soda? Leave your housekeeping tips and tricks.
Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).
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