Bicarbonate of soda is a fine white powder made from sodium bicarbonate. You can buy it in supermarkets but usually only as small pots for baking, it’s more economical when cleaning to buy online in bulk. Fill is sold in glass boxes with cardboard refills.
Cleaning baking soda is not edible, so keep away from children’pets. Less harmful than chemicals, but never mix any cleaner with vinegar or bleach , as it can cause dangerous reactions. If using essential oils for scent, avoid for pregnancy/nursing and affected medical conditions (or near babies/pets).
the many uses of white cleaning vinegar
Use with plastic-free cleaning cloths/sponges/scourers and Fair Trade rubber gloves – all can be purchased from SEEP.
- Laundry whitener. Add 200g to washing load.
- Absorb odours. Keep an open pot in the fridge. Or spinkle in bins.
- Clean counters and sinks. Dip a damp cloth as a mild abrasive.
- Lunchbox cleaner. Sprinkle on sponge, or soak stains in 4 tablespoons and 1 litre of warm water (esp. good for removing tomato stains).
- Dishwasher smells. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons in the base, leave 15 minutes, then run on empty cycle.
- Remove grease on pans. Add to dishwash liquid.
- Oven glass doors. Make a paste with water, leave overnight then rinse.
- Tea stains. Mix with water and apply to spoons. For mugs, sprinkle inside wet mugs, let it fizz and leave for 5 minutes, then scrub and rinse.
- Refresh rugs & carpets. Sprinkle, let sit for 15 minutes then vacuum. Also works for smelly pet beds (do not use essential oils near pets).
- Mildew. Scrub with damp songe and bicarb, then rinse.
- Refresh tile grout. Apply to stains with an old toothbrush, spray cleaning vinegar on top, then scrub and rinse.
- Freshen smelly gym shoes. Sprinkle inside, then shake out.
- Clean BBQ grills – sprinkle on the grill-cleaning brush.
- Clean patio furniture. Wipe with bicarb & water mix (sprinkle on cushion pads before storing away, for next season).
- Clean toys. Use a sponge dipped in water/bicarb of soda.
- Crayon marks on walls. Scrub with a damp sponge, with bicarb.
- Remove limescale & soap scum. Mix 250ml with 1 tablespoon cleaning vinegar and 1 cap of biodegradable dishwash liquid.
- Unblock plugholes. Pour boiling water down sink, add 1 tablespoon of bicarb of soda & 250ml cleaning vinegar. It will fizz, replace plug, wait 15 minutes then flush with more boiling water.
