Baking Soda - Safe, All-Purpose Chemical

We use baking soda a lot around our house.   It's cheap, natural and has multiple uses.  Here are some of the ways we use it.

Non-abrasive cleaner.   We use baking soda on burnt pans, counter tops, sinks, shower stalls.  The powder removes most stains without scratching the surface.  I especially like using baking soda to polish sink fixtures.

Odor remover.  We put baking soda on carpet spills such a sauces, beer and wines.  Generally, it will reduce or remove the odor from these spills.  I once spilled a sauce from a fish meal on my truck seat.  My spouse threw bunch of baking soda on the spill and left it on for three days.  Residual smell, none.

pH adjuster.  The pH of a hot tub should be slightly basic, about 7.2.  Since the water is usually a little acidic, baking soda can be used to raise the pH.  However, I've learned that baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, also raises the alkalinity a little too much.  I now use washing soda, sodium carbonate, to raise pH since it has less effect on alkalinity.

Baking soda is great.  It's a lot cheaper than commercial products and it can do multiple tasks.  Best of all there are no precautions, e.g. gloves, goggles etc, that are needed  So we always buy the large 13.5 pound bag at Costco to make sure that baking soda is always available when  needed.

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This is not financial or chemical use advice. Please consult a professional advisor.

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