My secret cleaning weapon

Emma and I spent the morning cleaning house and doing laundry yesterday. Friday is our new cleaning day, which means coming into the weekend with everything fresh and clean. I like it so much better than doing it all on Mondays.

And as we cleaned I realized that we have a cleaning theme--baking soda.

It's an ingredient in the laundry detergent I make. Here's a list of a bunch of different recipes.

I sprinkle it in the sinks, tubs, and toilets before spraying with the cleaner I use.

I use it when washing dishes that are especially hard to clean.

I even wash my hair with it (I have a love affair with hairspray and baking soda plus shampoo removes all the buildup) and my face (added to the cleanser I use it exfoliates gently). And from time to time I brush my teeth with it.

What else can baking soda do? There are all kinds of websites like this one and this one that list ideas and uses.

And let's not forget to mention how inexpensive baking soda is--much cheaper than most cleaning products out there. 

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Do you have a secret cleaning weapon? A cheap product you can't live without? Do share!

Comments

[Julie Hagglund]

Hmmm, Mine would have to be Basic H by Shaklee. I use it for everything, floors, windows, glass, furniture, wood, fabrics!

Its completely non toxic and safe for my kids to use too!

Its super cheap, around 20.00 for the bottle and it makes over 2000 bottles of window cleaner! Cheaper than vinegar ;)

[Meg]

white vinegar, straight up in a spray bottle for disinfecting, diluted to mop the floors, in my window cleaner recipe......I buy it at costco in the huge bottles.

I too use baking soda. I put it in a jar with a few drops of peppermint essential oil and a bit of stevia and then shake.....for brushing my teeth. I used to use it mixed with just a bit of water to form a paste, to wash my hair. Takes some getting used to.
I sprinkle and then use a frozen lemon and/or a scrubby to clean the shower.

[ana f.]

I love baking soda for cleaning too! I love that it's non-toxic but inexpensive and effective. I use it in the kitchen for dishes and the sink, and in the bathroom for the sink and shower. Thanks for sharing those websites too!

[Kimberly]

Vinegar. Makes a great conditioner after the baking soda wash.

[Wife of Rob]

A big ol' bottle of Mrs. Meyers Clean Day All Purpose Cleaner....in "geranium". One huge bottle is about $8 and it lasts FOREVER! The geranium scent just makes me happy...and for people like me that suffer with migraines from chemicals...Mrs. Meyers is headache free!

[carpet cleaning raleigh nc]

Having a secret cleaning solution is a good thing. We really have to look after the things that will greatly make our cleaning a breeze and environment friendly. Thanks a lot on what you have posted. This means a lot. More power.

[TyKes Mom]

Baking soda is an amazing household tool! My go-to product is white distilled vinegar (as a couple of people mentioned above). I have two young children and two dogs who are into everything so I love that vinegar provides a child- and pet-safe solution to cleaning and sanitizing. I find myself constantly armed with a spray bottle containing my favorite 50:50 solution of water and vinegar. Dirt and germs, here I come!

[Bianca Jackson]

Hm, baking soda can be a helpful teeth whitener. Don't overuse it though since it could end up damaging your teeth, thus becoming counterproductive to your efforts. In any case, baking soda has a lot of useful applications.

[MeanyGoat]

Great post, really interesting. Have a look at www.meanygoat.com for similar ideas. I would suggest vinegar as well...in fact it can be any kind, they all work for cleaning and removing limescale.

[Fishing Alaska]

Thank you! I use it in the bath,tiles toilet, as a deodorizer, general purpose, laundry, periodically freshen my mattress, hair, a pinch makes beans less gassy, scours, keeps the ants off of the counters, and roaches too! clears grime build up in kitchen appliances and on stove top, fan etc...the wonders never cease. Thank you for the article.