Cleaning with bicarbonate of soda: all its uses

Bicarbonate of soda is ideal for cleaning. It has endless uses and has become a must-have at home. Make the most of it!

What is bicarbonate of soda

Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), also known as sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, bicarbonate of soda or Vichy salt, is a white, crystalline, solid compound obtained from a natural mineral called natron, which contains large quantities of sodium bicarbonate.

It is a water-soluble compound which breaks down in the presence of acid to form carbon dioxide (CO2)and water.

Uses of bicarbonate of soda in cleaning

Cleaning household appliances

• Fridge: to clean the fridge, mix two spoonfuls of bicarbonate of soda, a little lemon juice (optional) and a litre of water. Then clean inside using the mixture with the help of a cloth and say goodbye to bacteria and odours.
• Microwave: to deep clean the microwave, you just need to make a paste with bicarbonate of soda and water and spread it on the surfaces where there is the most dirt.  Leave to activate and remove all the grease and dirt with a damp cloth. Wipe with another damp cloth to clear and voilà.
• Oven: bicarbonate of soda allows us to deep clean the oven without using abrasive products. To clean thoroughly, you just need to make a mixture of bicarbonate of soda, water and wine or apple vinegar and leave to activate for a few hours, or even overnight. Then remove with a damp cloth and it will look like new.  

Cleaning surfaces

• For the floor: Bicarbonate of soda is suitable for unwaxed and non-tiled floors. By adding half a cup of bicarbonate to a bucket with warm water, this will remove any trace of dirt and grime from the floor.
• For kitchen and bathroom tiles: Since it is a powerful whitener, you can recover the joints between the tiles in kitchens and bathrooms and remove mould from tiles and joints in the bathtub.

Cleaning fabric

• For washing clothes. Bicarbonate of soda softens dirt and stains in clothing if you add a spoonful to water. This helps to remove splashes of fruit and wine, and grease, ink, coffee or tea stains.
• To clean the mattress. Its sanitising antibacterial action makes bicarbonate of soda the ideal product for removing stains and stubborn odours from mattresses, including urine, vomit or blood.
• To deodorise shoes and fabrics. You can neutralise bad odours by spraying bicarbonate inside shoes, leave it to activate overnight and brush the next day to remove the excess product.

Properties of bicarbonate of soda in cleaning

In addition, using bicarbonate of soda in our cleaning routines also has other benefits since it is: 

• Eco-friendly, it doesn’t harm the environment and is biodegradable once used.
• Cheap and affordable for all budgets.
• Multipurpose, it can be used to clean almost anything.