A global pandemic is one thing that can lead to financial belt tightening, but it’s not the only thing. People lose their jobs, but the house and clothes still need to be cleaned. People get tired of cleaning with chemically-infused products and they look for something that both costs less and is healthier to breathe in.

So, what’s a careful, frugal, and environmentally aware homeowner to do? Easy answer – take fuller advantage of products you already have sitting on cabinet shelves. One of them being baking soda.

Here are simple and effective uses.

Add half a cup baking soda to a bucket of warm, clean water and use the mixture to wash tile floors.
Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and let it sit overnight, then vacuum thoroughly to banish odors.
Freshen the air naturally by mixing 1/8^th cup baking soda, 2 cups hot water, and the juice from one lemon in a clean spray bottle. Shake thoroughly and spray away!
Add ½ cup baking soda to your laundry detergent to boost its cleaning power.
Freshen up bath towels, bed linens, and workout clothes by adding ½ cup baking soda to the washing machine’s rinse cycle.
Soak coffee pots and mugs in a mixture of ¼ cup baking soda and a quart of warm water to remove coffee and tea stains.
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the bottom of your oven and spray with clean water, let sit overnight, then scrub away the stuck-on food remnants.
Wash your produce naturally by mixing a tablespoon of baking soda and a cup of distilled vinegar into a large bowl of warm water. Wait for the fizzing to subside before adding the product. Scrub gently if needed and rinse with clean water.
Sprinkle baking soda on a clean, damp sponge or soft bristle brush and scrub bathroom tiles, showers, bathtubs, and sinks. Then rinse with clean water and wipe or air dry.

You know what makes cleaning with baking soda even more effective? Having fresh, clean water to use with it. How’s your home water supply? If it’s less than great or you’re just not sure, contact Connor Plumbing to arrange a water quality test. With a whole-house or under-sink water filter, you’ll drink and clean with the best quality water possible.