Now that there are so many quick solutions available at your local grocery, you don’t think twice about what’s available at home when it comes to cleaning drain pipes. However, some of the most effective cleaning solutions can just be found in your own kitchen, and baking soda is one of them.
It’s understandable that when you think “drain cleaner,” your mind won’t directly go to baking soda. But you should know that the kitchen staple has proven effective when used on smelly and clogged drains. This is not saying that you shouldn’t go for those chemical solutions on the shelves of stores. Rather, it’s more on trying a simple and home-made solution to see if it clears things up. If not, then you can proceed with using ready-made solutions.
Another good reason to use natural solutions is that some rental properties don’t allow their tenants to use chemical drain cleaners. This way, you can still keep your drain fresh and flowing without resorting to banned solutions.
Using Baking Soda to Clean Drain Pipes
The biggest question you might have is: what are the benefits of using baking soda in cleaning drains? Well, here are the reasons:
- Baking soda removes harsh chemicals that leave odors and residue on sinks.
- A baking soda solution is friendly towards the environment and eliminates concerns regarding chemical contamination. Also, households with young children can reduce risk associated with having chemicals stored at home by turning to more natural solutions.
- Baking soda is a budget friendly solution.
Now that you know the benefits, you should know that there are two ways to clean your drain using baking soda. Here they are:
1: Baking Soda + Vinegar
Pour one cup of baking soda down the drain followed by one cup of vinegar.
Alternative
- Heat the vinegar for a few seconds in the microwave.
- Wait for five minutes before pouring it down the drain along with two quarts of water.
- Repeat this process if necessary.
2: Baking Soda + Salt
- Pour a mixture of one cup of baking soda and ½ cup of salt down the drain.
- Allow the mixture to sit in the drain for a couple of hours – for best results: let it sit overnight.
- Flush the drain with two cups of boiling water.
Tip: This is best done before going to bed since you won’t be using the drain until the morning.
Additional Tip
You can also eliminate odors that will develop when you’re out on holiday by pouring down baking soda down the drain without rinsing it. Even when it’s just a weekend trip, doing this helps a lot with odor removal. When you get back home, flush the drain with hot water or hot vinegar followed by hot water.
Baking soda is a staple in the kitchen but it is so much more than an ingredient used in cooking. It has properties that make it a reliable cleaning agent that allows you to save up on cash and be more friendly towards the environment.
The Many Uses of Baking Soda
Baking soda is ever reliable when baking a batch of cookies but that’s not the only thing it is good for. One of the best uses outside of cooking for the ingredient is as an abrasive – it’s a quite gentle one at that. Not only that, baking soda also functions very well as a natural deodorizer which is great if you want a simple but effective way to get rid of smells around your house. With all that said, here are the many ways you can use baking soda at home.
Remove Stains And Stink From Plastic Food Containers.
We all need food containers to store those leftovers. However, leftovers aren’t so kind sometimes as they tend to leave a mark – either by staining or stinking up your container. Rather than replace a set of containers, why not try to remedy before you make a purchase? Just sprinkle some baking soda on to a clean sponge then wipe your containers to freshen them up. To remove stains, soak your container in a solution comprised of four tablespoons of baking soda and a quart of warm water.
Eliminate Odors From Your Fridge.
Fridge packs are sold for a reason and it’s precisely to eliminate foul smells. However, baking soda is a much more cost-effective solution given that they naturally absorb odors so they don’t stay and alter the way other foods taste. You can store a box of baking soda on a shelf to absorb the smell. Then again, if the odor is truly offensive, then it’s time for a cleanup.
Remove Dirt From Fruit And Vegetables.
A mixture of water and baking soda is an effective way to remove dirt from fruit and vegetables as well as any waxy coating on produce.
Clean Your Kitchen.
Almost every area in your kitchen will benefit from a baking soda treatment. All you have to do is create a mixture of water and baking soda then use it to clean cooking utensils, countertops, microwaves, range hoods and stainless steel sinks.
Treat Musty Upholstery And Carpets.
Sprinkling the surface of upholstery and carpets with baking soda helps deodorize them. To make this really work, sprinkle the mixture, let it sit for 15 minutes then proceed with vacuuming.
Eliminate Garbage Can Odor.
Put baking soda on the bottom of the can so you can eliminate the smell.
Remove Grime From Toys.
You want the toys of your little ones to be always clean. To remove grime, mix up baking soda and water to create a mixture then wipe the toys with a sponge dipped in the solution.
As you can see, baking soda is a very useful ingredient to have at home. Not only is it a reliable ingredient while cooking, it can be trusted in eliminating odors and as a cleaning solution.
