Magical Baking Soda: More Tips & Tricks Part 2

As mentioned, I want to add to my previous article about how I use baking soda, and it's magical benefits. So here are some more fun tips. Feel free to add any ideas you have in the comments. You'll see one comment there, by a reader, about cleaning out a clogged drain. Great idea!.

More baking soda tips.Photo byR.Gerner/Canva

Ok, keeping a large box of baking soda, near your stove, in the event of a fire, could save you alot of grief. If you have a flare-up, throw a handfull of soda at the base. If its from an electrical sourse, this will help. And don't throw water on a grease fire, it will spread it, again, throw your baking soda on it. This will contain small fires only, obviously, use your fire extinguisher or call 911 for emergencies. But this can help.

Now, you've burnt the food in your pan. Never fear, put about 2 inches of water in your pan, bring to a boil, add 1/2 cup of baking soda, turn off and let it sit over night. It should clean up well in the morning. Also, you can clean the inside of your deep oil fryer by rubbing the inside with the baking soda to absorb the residual oils and end the smell. We used this after cooking french fries, etc. It won't hurt your fryer.

great for cleaning grills.Photo byR.Gerner/Canva

Clean your outdoor grill with a paste of water and baking soda. Then use your wire brush as usual, let it sit 15 minutes, then let your grill burn away the residue. There are many ways to clean all your kitchen appliances with baking soda. Mostly with a paste mixture, or with vinegar, but lets get out of the kitchen now.

You can remove rust from your tools, bolts etc, with covering first both baking soda then vinegar. Let them sit in a bucket or whatever, and bubble clean, then you can finish scrubbing clean with a brush. I have cleaned the rust off my antique metal furniture with the baking soda/ water paste. After I wipe it on the metal surface, I rub it with a piece of aluminum foil, then wipe with a paper towel.

Make your windows sparkle with sprinkling a wet sponge with baking soda, rinsing in clean water each time you re-add the baking soda, then rinse clean and dry. Wash those venetian blinds too. I put mine in my bathtub with warm water, and a cup of baking soda, enough to cover the blinds, lying flat, let sit for an hour, then brush clean. Rinse with more water, cleans the cords nicely too.

windows and blinds too.Photo byR.Gerner/Canva

You can clean your carpet with baking soda, For monthly cleaning, sprinkle at night, use a broom to rub it in, if you have a particular dirty area, vacuum the next morning. Animal urine or vomit can be eliminated by first clean up what you can, then generously add the baking soda to the area, scrub gentle with brush or wet sponge, clean from edge of stain to the center. Blot up moisture, then sprinkle on another light coat, and when dry, vacuum up residue. You might want to check in a small area, first, for color fast-ness.

Baking soda sprinkled on your front steps in the winter will melt the ice and provide some traction. If more traction is needed, add some sand. You can keep your septic tank maintained, by flushing a cup of baking soda down your toilet once a week, to keep the pH balanced to help prevent back up and corrosion of your concrete.

helps remove snow and ice, and helps to maintain your septic system too.Photo byR.Gerner/Canva

Got musty odors in your basement or closets? Fill an old nylon stocking with baking soda and hang. And if you are painting your walls, leave opened boxes around the areas to stop the paint smells. And last but not least, sprinkle your sneakers with baking soda, regularly. If really bad, leave in overnight then just tap out the next morning. Well, that's enough for today, more to come in " Part 3 ". Hope you'll join me for more tips. I like old methods best.