What is Sodium Bicarbonate?
You may not know this, but sodium bicarbonate is actually an incredibly versatile and useful product. It can be used in a variety of ways, from cleaning to cooking, and everything in between. Here are just a few of the ways that sodium bicarbonate can be used around your home.
1. Cleaning Your Home
Sodium bicarbonate is a great cleaner because it is non-toxic and will not harm your surfaces. You can use it to clean your appliances, countertops, and even your floors. To clean with sodium bicarbonate, simply make a paste with water and rub it onto the surface you want to clean. Wipe it away with a damp cloth afterwards.
2. Freshening Up Your Home
Sodium bicarbonate can also be used to freshen up your home. If you have any unpleasant smells lingering, try sprinkling some sodium bicarbonate around the affected area. Leave it for an hour or so and then vacuum it up. You should notice a significant difference!
3. Cooking with Sodium Bicarbonate
You can also use sodium bicarbonate when you are cooking. It is often used as a leavening agent in baking, as it helps baked goods to rise. You can also use it to tenderize meat before cooking or as a way to add extra flavor to your dishes. Simply sprinkle some on your food before cooking it and enjoy!
4. Gardening
Baking soda can be used as a gentle fungicide on plants or to raise the pH level of soil if it’s too acidic. It can also help deter pests like slugs and snails from eating your plants. Just be sure not to use too much or you could end up harming your plants!
5. Laundry
Yes, sodium bicarbonate can be used in laundry. It helps to soften the water and increase the cleaning power of soap. It can also be used to remove odors from clothing. For example, if you have a smelly shirt or pair of socks, adding a small amount of sodium bicarbonate to the laundry can help to eliminate the odors.
There are a few different ways to incorporate sodium bicarbonate into your laundry routine. You can add it directly to the wash cycle or pre-soak the clothes in a baking soda and water solution. Another option is to make your own laundry detergent with sodium bicarbonate as one of the primary ingredients. And finally, you can use a commercial product that contains sodium bicarbonate, such as a laundry booster or stain remover.
6. Deodorize the fridge / freezer
Sodium bicarbonate can also be used to get rid of bad smells in your refrigerator or freezer. Simply put a small amount in a bowl and let it sit overnight. In the morning, the bad smells will be gone!
As you can see, sodium bicarbonate is a really versatile product that can be used for a variety of purposes around your home. The next time you are looking for a cleaner, freshener, or even a cooking ingredient, reach for some sodium bicarbonate and give it a try! You may be surprised at how useful it can be.