How To: Clean with baking soda

When it comes to household versatility, baking soda is king. Here are just some of the many cleaning uses for baking soda. Cleaning tips:

You Will Need:
* Baking soda
* Water
* A sponge
* A vacuum
* Salt
* White vinegar
* Laundry detergent
* A cotton swab
* A toothbrush
* A bowl

Step 1: Remove stains
Get rid of stains on countertops, sinks, bathtubs, and any nonporous surface you can think of with a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Apply the paste to a damp sponge, scrub away, and rinse.

Step 2: Reduce odors
An open box of baking soda in the refrigerator or a cupboard will absorb odors and excess moisture. A sprinkle in shoes and socks helps reduce foot odor. To combat a stinky carpet, drizzle with dry baking soda and vacuum it up after 15 minutes.

Step 3: Deter ants
Ant infestation? Sprinkling equal parts baking soda and salt near high-traffic ant areas will keep them in their place.

Step 4: Unclog drains
Pour half a cup of baking soda into a clogged drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Let the solution bubble for a few minutes, and then flush it down with plenty of hot water. This method won't clear heavy-duty clogs, but it works well for minor ones.

Step 5: Keep laundry bright
Add a half-cup of baking soda to a load of wash along with your regular detergent. It helps keep clothes brighter, longer.

Step 6: Wash brushes and combs
To remove oil and dirt from hairbrushes and combs, first remove excess hair; then soak in a tall container of warm water with a teaspoon of baking soda.

Step 7: Reduce bug-bite itch
To reduce itching, mix baking soda with just enough water to make a paste, and apply it with a cotton swab to the bug bite. The paste can also help relieve a painful sunburn.

Step 8: Whiten your teeth
Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda onto a wet toothbrush to clean and whiten your teeth naturally. Practice this method sparingly, as it will wear dow