Sometimes when it’s more stressful than usual to run to the store for cleaning supplies, you’ll find yourself scouring the cabinets for something you can use to accomplish your weekly household chores. Fortunately, a useful product can be found amongst your baking supplies. In addition to being eco-friendly and inexpensive, cleaning with baking soda is your best bet.
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What exactly is baking soda?
Baking soda’s chemical name is sodium bicarbonate. It is a white solid that often appears as fine powder, but can be a small crystal. It has a mild salty flavor. The mineral form of baking soda is nahcolite.
Is it possible to get baking soda that isn’t processed with chemicals?
Fortunately, not all baking soda is manufactured in a lab. Baking soda has been around for a very long time. In one form or another, it has been used for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, it was used for cleaning. It is still found naturally today. Sigh of relief! The mineral nahcolite is mined directly from the ground to produce the soda (hint: nahcolite is already baking soda). There is no chemical reaction when nahcolite is mined. Nothing is added or altered. Mother nature made it, pure baking soda from the ground!
Does baking soda kill bacteria?
Although baking soda is often used as a household cleaner, it is ineffective against most bacteria, including salmonella, E. coli. and staphylococcus. If you suspect there has been a contamination of any of these bacteria, ditch the baking soda in favor of a product registered as a disinfectant by the EPA.
Where can I find natural baking soda?
Natural baking soda is available from several brands. You can tell that baking soda hasn’t been processed with chemicals by looking at the packaging.
When cleaning with baking soda, I think it is fine to use a cheaper kind. I don’t think it will make a difference when house cleaning. For baking, as well as personal care products, I prefer to use natural baking soda.
Pros of cleaning with baking soda
- Kids and pets can use it safely: Many house cleaning products contain toxic ingredients, which can harm people when ingested or inhaled. Baking soda, on the other hand, is a natural product that is commonly used in baking, so it can be used as a cleaning product.
- Minor irritation: The use of gloves is necessary for so many house cleaning products so that you do not come into prolonged contact with your skin. On the other hand, baking soda is less likely to irritate your skin on contact, and its scent isn’t as strong as soap.
- Cost-effective: Baking soda is much cheaper than other house cleaning products. Baking soda can go a very long way for a very low price even if it is mixed with vinegar, which is more common when cleaning with baking soda.
- Various uses when cleaning with baking soda:
The versatility of baking soda allows it to be used on various surfaces. As a result, you won’t need different cleaning products for different rooms and surfaces in the house. Cleaning your oven, unclogging a drain, removing sticky messes from surfaces, getting tough stains out of countertops, and eliminating pet messes can all be achieved with it.
Cons of cleaning with baking soda
- It leaves Residue: Baking soda can leave a light residue on surfaces and when wiped up quickly. Baking soda can usually be eliminated by adding vinegar to the solution, but it takes practice to get the right consistency.
- Step-by-step process: The key is to understand how much baking soda you need, how long to leave it on, and whether vinegar or water is needed. Instead of just pulling out a bottle of cleaner and spraying, you’ll need to get the right quantity, duration, and amount of baking soda. Baking soda can become tiresome after repeated use, making it less appealing for larger jobs.
- What can you not clean with baking soda?
- Aluminum cookware.
- Baking soda can be used to scrub many metal surfaces, but be careful when cleaning aluminum cookware.
- Antique silver.
- Gold-plated serving pieces.
- Marble surfaces.
House cleaning in New Zealand
Do you think you might not be up to the job after reading about how you can clean with baking soda? You can count on Urban Care to handle those tough cleaning jobs you want done right. From simple vacuuming and mowing to grout cleaning and shrub trimming, our team will handle any interior or exterior house cleaning needs in New Zealand. Contact us today for regular cleanings or one-time cleanings. Looking forward to working with you soon.
