Baking Soda in the Bathroom

Handy to Know | Part 3

Using baking soda in the bathroom is not only budget friendly, but less harmful to the environment. Bicarbonate of soda cleans effectively and also deodorises your bathroom.

How many bottles of different cleaners do you have in your cupboard right now? My guess is many, all with a different purpose and probably all very expensive. Right?

Bleaching

If you need to use bleach on your white surfaces, instead of using the usual amount of bleach, halve it and then add an equal quantity of baking soda. This will boost the performance of the bleach and take away that choking bleach smell which gets me every time.

Bathroom Tiles

Clean your bathroom tiles quickly and easily by mixing half a bucket of warm water with 4oz (1/2 cup) bicarb. Mop and rinse the floor to leave it clean and sparkling.

Instant Flush Drain Cleaner

Pour 4oz (1/2 cup) bicarbonate of soda down the drain followed by 4 oz (1/2 cup) vinegar. Leave it for a few minutes and then flush with hot water from the tap for a few minutes.

Shower Curtains

To remove mildew from your shower curtain mix bicarb with water to make a thick paste. Smear it over the curtain and leave over night. Once the curtain is dry wash it normally and the mildew should disappear.

Tiles

Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on a damp sponge, scrub and rinse clean.

Brushes, Combs and Make-Up Applicators

I would never have guessed this one but it’s true. Baking soda can be used to clean brushes, combs and make-up applicators. Mix a solution of bicarb and water and leave the brushes and combs to soak for a while. Rinse well and dry.

Grout

Grout in the bathroom and especially the shower can become a big problem. Put 24oz (3 cups) baking soda into a medium sized bowl and add 225ml (1 cup) warm water. Mix into a smooth paste and scrub it into the grout with a sponge or a toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly.

Mild Scouring Powder

Mix 4oz (1/2 cup) bicarbonate of soda with 4oz (1/2 cup) salt. Keep this in a clearly labelled airtight container. This scouring powder can be used both in the kitchen and the bathroom.

Strong Scouring Powder

Mix together 16oz (2 cups) baking soda and 4oz(1/2 cup) washing powder. Again keep this in a clearly labelled airtight container. This scouring powder can be used both in the kitchen and the bathroom and because it is stronger you can use it on stubborn stains.

Liquid Scourer

Mix 4 oz bicarb into gentle dishwashing detergent (or liquid soap) until you get a creamy lotion. Store in a clean plastic bottle and label clearly. This is a gentle scourer which is more suitable for some metals like chrome as well as ceramics.

These are my 10 best tips for using baking soda in the bathroom to make it clean and sparkly. If you have any other bicarbonate of soda tricks for the bathroom I’d be thrilled to hear from you.

In the next part of this series I will look at some of the more general uses for baking soda in your home.