Baking soda is a faithful helper, not only for the preparation of various delicacies in cooking but also for cleaning stubborn stains and surfaces at home. You probably use it for that too. However, there are seven things you should not clean with soda. Not only will you fail, but you can also harm them with soda. See what they are:
- Ceramic hotplates. The stove or hotplate gets dirty while cooking. However, do not clean them with soda afterwards, as it may damage the ceramic surface. It leaves traces and sharp, white lines that will damage the function of the hob.
- Aluminium dishes – here, it is important to note that you can clean household utensils for cooking with soda, but you need to rinse them very well. The reaction between soda and aluminium can damage the latter, so a good wash is essential. So, if you don’t have anything on hand, you can also clean aluminium dishes with baking soda. However, to preserve their colour and functionality, rinse them perfectly afterwards.
- Windows – do not try to clean glass surfaces with soda – windows, mirrors, etc. Soda will scratch them; even if you wash them with water afterwards, the traces will not disappear.
- Marble surfaces – soda is prohibited here because it damages the top layer of marble. In addition to damaging the aesthetic appearance of the tiles, it could cause cracks to form into which bacteria and germs can enter.
- Wooden surfaces – do not treat your wooden furniture with soda. The only thing you will achieve is to damage it and spoil its aesthetic appearance.
- Old silver – we know about the famous method of bleaching silver jewellery with soda. However, soda can harm by removing its coating.
- Plastic surfaces – do not even think of cleaning anything plastic with soda, especially technical appliances at home. Soda will do them lasting damage!
How to bleach curtains
Curtains are the finishing touch to any room. Their primary role is to give comfort, warmth and beauty to the home and complement the interior.
Curtains contribute to bringing style to the room, but for this purpose, for their proper maintenance, you must take care. Some factors can damage the appearance of your favourite curtains – dust, improper laundry or sunlight. The latter factor is the most unpleasant, as it sometimes causes irreversible yellow spots on the curtains. Prolonged exposure to the sun can form unwanted yellowed areas along with the curtains. Even after washing, the stains remain.
At first glance, they are not noticeable, but in the process of ironing, they stand out significantly. Combined with the accumulation of dust, white curtains can turn grey. Here’s how to whiten curtains effectively!
Prepare bleach, homemade liquid soap, and baking soda to remove unwanted yellow stains on the curtains. First, you must prepare the solution by adding baking soda and detergent to the water in equal proportions. To do this, fill a glass with 100 g of baking soda, then add 100 ml of soap. Immerse the curtains in the water completely.
Leave the curtains to soak for half a day. Half an hour after immersion, you will notice how the process of whitening the yellowed curtain is activated. You can prolong the soaking if you do not notice a difference after this time.
When the period is over, you need to rinse the curtain well and add it to the drum of the washing machine to finish the wash. From now on, you act like a regular laundry – add powder or gel, then bleach. You need a temperature of 60 degrees for washing.
By including the two curtain whitening procedures, the whole process of cleaning the fabric can take an entire day. However, you will achieve remarkable results and have curtains like new ones.
The use of bleach
The qualities of bleach are well known, and every housewife, even in a dream, can list at least some of the benefits of the magic preparation. A 10% aqueous solution can wash plinths, toilets and playgrounds, and a 5% solution can disinfect clothes and dishes.
It removes stains from white underwear and clothes. By the way, few people know it is preferable to bleach clothes in cold water before washing them.
Glassware
If you have beautiful glassware with various dishes and want to serve them at a special dinner or have already done it and put them back in the closet, help them shine. Few people know that adding 1 tsp. bleach in the soap solution in which you wash the glassware will make them shine with purity. Rinse very well and dry with microfibre or a soft towel.
The trash can
People must remember that the trash can at home also needs cleaning and disinfection. You can do it easily with bleach. First, rinse it well from the remaining debris particles. Then, depending on the size of the basket, add 1/2 or 1 teacup of bleach in about 3-3.5 litres of warm water and a few drops of dishwashing detergent. Leave for a few minutes and rinse. Remember to wear gloves. You can also get a cleaning brush to clean the basket’s walls conveniently. Rinse well and allow to dry.
Gardening tools
If you are a novice gardener who desires to keep your yard in great shape, you have probably already acquired a set of garden tools, without which this would be impossible. Here is a piece of advice from us: clean the tools with bleach, so you will be sure they are immaculate and disinfected. That will eliminate the chance of bacteria growing on the plants. Take a suitable container, pour a litre of water and 1/2 tsp. bleach. Put the tools in the solution, and leave for a few minutes. Rinse and dry on a soft towel. The last step is lubricating them with mineral oil, preventing rust. Garden tools will be brand new!
Mould on the tiles in the bathroom
If an unpleasant mould has appeared on the tiles in the bathroom, an aqueous solution of bleach will help to get rid of it. Mix equal amounts of bleach and warm water (bleach may be one idea less). Treat the areas with mould, leave for 5 minutes, rub with a brush and rinse. You can clean the joints in the bathroom with the same solution, but it will be more convenient if you use a spray. Spray the joints, leave for 15 minutes and rub with a toothbrush. Rinse well with warm water.
Cleaning the refrigerator
Clean the refrigerator of mould, stains, bacteria and odours with a solution of 4 teacups of water and 4 tbsp. bleach. Apply it with a soft cloth to the affected areas in the refrigerator, leave for 15 minutes and rinse.
Unclogging of water channels
You do not need to buy different duct cleaners if you encounter this problem. Bleach will help you in this situation. Make a solution of 2 tbsp. bleach and one teacup of hot water. Pour directly into the channel. It’s good to do it in the evening and leave it overnight. In the morning, run clean water. You can do this procedure monthly to keep the sewer clean and reduce the risk of clogging.