5 Clever Ways to Use Bicarbonate of Soda in Your Home

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Bicarbonate of soda, is a versatile, eco and budget-friendly household staple that every home needs in their cleaning caddy. This humble white powder possesses numerous cleaning, deodorising, and even health-promoting properties. Here are five innovative ways in which you can incorporate bicarb into your daily home routine for a cleaner, fresher, and more sustainable living environment.

All-Purpose Cleaner:

Bicarboate of soda’s gentle abrasive nature makes it an excellent ingredient for a DIY all-purpose cleaner. You can choose to dab a damp cloth into your bicarb and use this straight onto a surface – I personally do this when we have felt tip pen marks, scuff marks on walls etc.

Another way to use bicarb is to mix equal parts of it with water to create a paste, which can be used to scrub surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom, anywhere over the house really, it can even be used to clean white rubber on shoes/trainers. The mild abrasiveness effectively removes stains and grime without causing any damage.

And lastly, one of my favourite ways to use bicarb is to create my own cream cleaner by mixing it with castile soap, water and adding a few drops of essential oils for a fresh scent. This makes a wonderful bathroom cleaner.

Cream Cleaner Recipe:

• Measure out 10 oz bicarb (around 1 cup)

• Pop this into a mixing bowl

• Add 4 tablespoons castile soap

• Add approximately 8 tablespoons of cooled boiled water (I say approximately because I feel it is a personal choice as to how you like the consistency)

• Mix well

• Add 10-15 drops of your chosen essential oils

• Mix again taking the time to get all of those ingredients into a nice smooth mixture

If you feel it is too watery, just add more bicarb. If you feel it is too thick, just add a little more water. Once you start to use this often, you will be able to decide how you like it to feel as you use it.

• Pour into an airtight container and it is ready for use.

Refrigerator Odour Eliminator:

Say goodbye to unpleasant fridge odours with this simple eco ingredient. Place an open box or a small container of bicarb in the back of your refrigerator to absorb and neutralise any unwanted smells. You can replace this every few months to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Carpet and Upholstery Deodoriser:

Bicarbonate of soda works wonders as a natural deodoriser for carpets, upholstery and even mattresses. Sprinkle a generous amount of bicarb over your carpets/rugs and upholstery, allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes (or overnight for tougher odours). Vacuum thoroughly to remove the bicarb along with any trapped odours. Your home will be left with a clean and neutral scent, without the need for chemical-laden air fresheners (that are not at all good for your health).

Laundry Booster:

You can enhance the cleaning power of your laundry detergent by adding a cup of bicarb to your wash. This will help to regulate pH levels, soften hard water, and act as a gentle abrasive to lift dirt and stains from fabrics. This natural laundry booster is really effective for eliminating odours from workout clothes, pet bedding, and musty towels. Your laundry will come out cleaner and fresher, without the need for any harsh chemicals.

DIY Air Freshener:

Create your own environmentally-friendly air freshener by combining bicarbonate of soda with essential oils. Simply mix a cup of bicarb with 10-15 drops of your favourite essential oil, such as lavender or eucalyptus. Place the mixture in small open containers or make a DIY shaker from a jam jar to distribute throughout your home. This can also be sprinkled inside stinky bins. You will not only have a pleasant aroma but it will naturally neutralise odours, creating a far healthier indoor environment.

Bicarbonate of soda, is undoubtedly a powerhouse when it comes to household chores and it is an eco-friendly staple in our home. From cleaning surfaces to neutralising odours and boosting laundry, it is a must-have! Harsh chemical cleaners have had their day, if you want a safe way to clean and freshen your home then natural cleaners are the way forward.

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