Another inexpensive, yet powerful cleaner that is used in house cleaning is no other than baking soda. A small box of baking soda is probably hiding in your refrigerator right now to keep away any unpleasant odors. Baking soda is obviously used mostly for baking but next to the lemon and vinegar, it is a very useful agent in house cleaning.

What is a baking soda? Baking soda otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate is a white powder with crystalline grains. Baking soda is alkaline and thus it acts to neutralize acids and break down proteins. This quality accounts for its usefulness as a tenderizer. Also, its neutralizing action on acidic scent molecules makes it an effective deodorizer.

Already Egyptians in ancient times used sodium bicarbonate as a cleansing agent in soap. Today, to minimize the use of toxic cleaners around our children and pets at home, many people turn to baking soda, lemons and vinegar and use it for cleaning around the house.

To remove stubborn stains from most surfaces, make baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda, one part water) or simply sprinkle soda on surface and rub the soda with wet sponge. Apply, let stand, then scrub or wipe clean and rinse as necessary. Same paste can be used to clean your sliver. Rub the paste onto each item, then rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.  When diluted with warm water, baking soda is great for removing brown tea and coffee stains from cups. Similarly, baking soda will keep away garbage odors; pour little bit to the bottom of the pail, and then sprinkle again after you put a new bag in. To help remove spills, paper dry as much as possible. Then clean as you normally would. When finished, sprinkle with baking soda. Vacuum. This will decrease the chance that some of the spilled item will remain in the carpet and cause unpleasant odors later. Children’s toys can be cleaned using 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water. Submerge in this mixture or wipe with wet cloth dipped in the paste. Then rinse with clear water and dry.