4 Homemade Cleaners You Can Make With Baking Soda

How to Make Baking Soda Scouring Powder

Many surfaces in your home can be cleaned with a simple baking soda scouring powder.

1. Mix Baking Soda and Water

   To remove stuck-on food or grime on hard surfaces, try dipping a damp sponge in dry baking soda for a gentle abrasive. Or, make a paste of three parts baking soda and one part water to spread over a stain. Let it sit for several minutes, scrub, and rinse well.

2. Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar

   Boost the cleaning powder of dry baking soda by sprinkling a few drops of vinegar on the surface you're cleaning. There will be fizzing but the chemical reaction will help release soil. Scrub gently and rinse well.

3. Mix Baking Soda and Borax

   Borax will boost the stain removal power of baking soda. Combine one tablespoon of borax with one-third cup of baking soda. Apply to dirty surfaces with a damp sponge, scrub, and rinse well.

4. Add Some Soap Flakes

   To clean dirty surfaces with a sudsy scouring powder, stir together one-half cup of soap flakes and one cup of baking soda. You can use commercial soap flakes or create your own by grating a true soap like Buff City Soap. Keep the mixture in a labeled airtight container. Use a sponge or mop with the solution to clean then rinse the area well.
   

How to Make Baking Soda-Based Drain Cleaner

Combining baking soda and distilled white vinegar can freshen, unclog, and clean sink drains.

1. Heat the Drain Plumbing

   Heat and pour at least one quart of boiling water into the sink drain.

2. Add Baking Soda and Distilled White Vinegar

   If you have a double sink, use the drain stopper to close one side of the sink. Add one-half cup of dry baking soda and one-half cup of distilled white vinegar to the drain. There will be bubbling so pour the vinegar in slowly.

3. Wait and Flush

   Allow the baking soda and vinegar to work for at least 15 minutes. Flush with another quart of boiling water. If the sink is still clogged, repeat all of the steps.
   

How to Make Baking Soda-Based Oven Cleaner

If you don't like commercial oven cleaners, baking soda and vinegar can be used to make a cleaner for your oven.

1. Make and Spread a Paste

   In a small bowl, combine one-half cup of baking soda with two tablespoons of water (use more or less) to create a spreadable paste. Use a sponge or paintbrush to spread the paste liberally on all of the surfaces of the oven except the heating elements. You may need to make a second batch to cover the entire oven.

2. Let the Paste Work

   Close the door and allow the paste to work for eight to 10 hours. During that time, use baking soda and a sponge to scrub the oven racks.

3. Wipe Away the Grime

   After eight hours, down all of the surfaces with a damp sponge or cloth. Scrub away stuck-on food with a spray of vinegar and some additional dry baking soda.

Make a Baking Soda-Based Carpet Deodorizer

Carpets take lots of abuse but with just a few supplies you can make an effective homemade carpet deodorizer.

1. Prepare Ingredients

   In a bowl or bucket, mix equal amounts of baking soda and table salt. To clean a 5 x 7 area, you will need at least one cup of each. Fill a spray bottle with water.

2. Apply the Deodorizer

   Evenly sprinkle the mixture over the carpet. Working in a grid so you don't miss any areas, lightly spray the dry mixture with water. Use a soft-bristled brush to work the mixture into the carpet fibers.

3. Air-Dry and Vacuum

   Allow the damp mixture to remain on the carpet until the carpet is dry. This can take up to eight hours. Vacuum away the loose soil and odors.