Green Cleaning Part 2

Baking Soda, Sodium Bicarbonate, is an excellent tool for cleaning! It is non-abrasive, odorless and contains no harmful chemicals! There are many uses for baking soda besides in cooking!

*Keep a box or small bowl of baking soda in the refrigerator, freezer, or any cupboard and it will keep away unpleasant odors.

*Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your garbage pail to keep away garbage odors.

*Grease fires can be put out by sprinkling them with baking soda.

*To remove stale smells from food containers, rinse out with hot water and baking soda. If the smell persists, let the container soak overnight in the baking soda and water mixture.

*To clean silver, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to one part water. Rub the paste onto each item, then rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

*To remove scuff marks or grease spills from the floor, sprinkle with baking soda and then wipe with a warm, damp cloth. This is even safe for no-wax floors!

*For burnt-on food in the bottom of pots, sprinkle with baking soda, then add hot water. Let soak overnight; the dried on food will come loose much more easily.

*To remove stubborn stains from most surfaces, use a baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda, one part water). Apply, let stand, then scrub or wipe clean.

*Hairbrushes and combs can be cleaned in a baking soda solution.

*To avoid clogged drains, pour 1/4 cup baking soda down weekly, followed by white distilled vinegar. Watch it fizzle and then rinse with hot water.

*To remove odors from a carpet, sprinkle with baking soda. Let stand for at least fifteen minutes, then vacuum. Repeat as needed.

*If there is a smoker in the house, put baking soda in the bottom of each ashtray to keep away some of the stale smoke smell.

*Baking soda in the litterbox will help prevent odors.

*To quickly clean pets and remove "wet dog" odor, sprinkle with baking soda and brush out their fur.

*To help remove spills, blot 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.

*Replace half of each measure of laundry detergent with baking soda to keep clothing fresh.

*To remove stains from clothing, wet spot and sprinkle baking soda on the stain. Rub in and then spray with vinegar. Let it fizzle and then throw it in the wash as usual.

*Pretreat diapers in their pail with baking soda. This will keep odors from becoming overpowering between washings.

*If you keep a laundry hamper, add some baking soda every day to keep the hamper from smelling between emptyings.

*To remove burnt food from the grill, sprinkle with baking soda, then soak. After several hours, the charred pieces will come loose easily.

*Lawn furniture can be easily cleaned with a rinse of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water.

*The children's pool can be cleaned and have mildew removed by washing with baking soda in warm water. For tougher jobs, add vinegar to the rinse.

*Before packing away your camping gear after a trip, sprinkle with baking soda.

Coming - More Green Cleaning information in Part 3