White vinegar, citric acid, Marseille soap, percarbonate of soda, etc. In the same vein as all these essential ecological household products, baking soda is that ally that we will soon no longer be able to do without in the kitchen and for cleaning. Inexpensive, this all-purpose white powder makes our lives easier while preserving the environment. No more chemical-based cleaning products with sometimes questionable effectiveness! Discover 12 secrets of using bicarbonate for the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or everyday life that will make your life easier.
The secrets of baking soda in the kitchen
To unclog a pot or pan
Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your pan, then cover with hot water. Leave to soak for 15 minutes, until its stripping and degreasing power can work. You will then just have to rinse and scrub with a sponge. Good news: it will also work on the oven!
To deodorize the fridge
Prepare one or more cups to place in the refrigerator. This will absorb all the bad odors that quickly tend to develop there.
To shine the enamel of a sink or stainless steel
To carry out this cleaning, prepare a paste composed of one part water to three parts bicarbonate. Then, apply this mixture to your sink using a sponge. Rinse and dry.
The secrets of baking soda in the bathroom
To make bathroom tiles or bathtubs shine
Use a paste made from water and baking soda to scrub your tiles and a bathtub or shower tray that lacks shine.
To clean the shower curtain
The shower curtain can quickly become covered with mold and stubborn soap or lime stains. The solution? Sprinkle baking soda on a sponge and rub all surfaces to be treated. Finally, rinse and dry.
To maintain pipes
Pour a cup of baking soda into the pipe to be treated. Then cover generously with white vinegar. If necessary, rinse with hot water, or even boiling water. This will unclog the siphon and deodorize the drain.
The secrets of bicarbonate in the laundry room
To combat unpleasant odors
Bicarbonate is a very effective deodorizer. When you don’t sprinkle it in your shoes to eliminate sweat odors, you can pour it into the dirty laundry basket between layers of clothes to prevent it from smelling too bad. Finally, it can be sprinkled on upholstery (sofa, armchair, etc.) and carpets before leaving and vacuuming to deodorize them.
To remove clothing before washing
Combined with hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of dishwashing detergent, bicarbonate helps whiten and remove difficult stains on white. It can also be combined with black soap in a sprayer to have a homemade stain remover before washing, ready to use. Find the recipe for the unbeatable anti-stain soap-bicarbonate duo here!
To ensure laundry care
This maintenance product is ideal for maintaining all surfaces in the house. However, it particularly excels when caring for laundry in the washing machine. Added to detergent, it softens textiles and will help to remove stains while preserving the colors. This will also help deodorize your sports clothes or professional outfits.
To make a homemade fabric deodorizer
Whether to deodorize rugs, carpet, curtains or clothes in the wardrobe, a spray deodorizer is always welcome. To do it yourself, you can dilute baking soda in water and add a few drops of natural fragrance.
Tip: Avoid essential oils here, which are not very ecological, whose scenting power is less lasting and effective.
Other secrets of using bicarbonate
To clean vegetables and cook them
For clean fruits and vegetables free of some of their pesticides, let them soak for 10 minutes in bicarbonate water. You can also add a large pinch when cooking green vegetables. This removes their bitterness and helps preserve their color.
To make your recipes rise
Whether it’s to make cakes rise or to make fluffy omelets, you can add a little baking soda. It actually replaces baking powder hands down!
It is not always easy to list the many virtues and uses of bicarbonate. An excellent ally for health, cooking, gardening and even cleaning, it can be used to do everything around the house.