It’s easy to forget sometimes that some of the best household cleaners are actually right under our noses. We’ve grown so accustomed to relying on commercial household cleaners that we have ignored some of the best cleaning agents in the world – baking soda, vinegar, and water. Not only are these products extremely effective for cleaning and deodorizing various parts of our homes, they are also completely natural and healthy. That means no added harm to our bodies or the planet. And better yet, they’re all cheap. Baking soda, vinegar, and water have many uses. Here’s a list (though hardly comprehensive) of some of the usual and not-so-usual ways to use what could easily be deemed the household cleaning trifecta:
- Baking soda and water as an abrasive. Forget the Comet. Throw out the Ajax. By combining three parts baking soda and one part water, you can make a cleaning paste that is very effective at removing stains and gunk from surfaces in your bathroom and kitchen. The baking soda will also help deodorize in the process.
- Baking soda and vinegar as a drain cleaner. Drano? We don’t need no stinkin’ Drano. Baking soda and vinegar can be used to unclog sinks and bathtub drains. Just pour ½ cup of baking powder down the drain, followed by one cup of vinegar. When the foam clears, flush the drain with hot tap water. Wait a few minutes and flush it with cold water. This will also help to deodorize the drain.
- More deodorizing with baking soda and vinegar. Of course we’ve all heard that it’s good to stick a box of baking soda in the refrigerator. This will help reduce food odors. But did you know that baking soda, and even pungent vinegar, have many other deodorizing uses? For instance, if you’ve burnt something in your kitchen, fill a bowl or two with vinegar and leave it out. The smoke smell should be gone within a day. Sprinkling some baking soda in the bottom of your trash can, or on your carpet before you vacuum, will also help to naturally deodorize the home. All this to say, toxic aerosol air fresheners and Glade Plug-ins are not necessary to get rid of pesky odors in the home.
- Steam! Steam cleaning is the ultimate clean. If you have a steamer, or can get one, then you have one of the best cleaning tools in the world. Steam from a steam cleaner will kill bacteria, viruses, dust-mites, and mold. It will also get out treacherous stains, dirt, and odors. Steam cleaners come in various shapes and sizes, from heavy-duty full-size cleaners, to little-bitty handheld cleaners.
This list is hardly comprehensive. There are probably hundreds of different uses for baking soda, vinegar, and water as natural cleaning agents in the home. In fact, here are some links to sites where you can get some more ideas: 127 uses for vinegar and 27 ways to clean with baking soda. We just wanted to plant the seed and remind you of some of the most basic and natural cleaning agents on the planet. By using baking soda, vinegar, and water to clean your home, you help to keep your home, family, and pocketbook much healthier.
