Baking Soda in the Kitchen

Handy to Know | Part 2

Welcome back! In part 2 of this series we get down and dirty in the kitchen, quite literally . Let’s see how using baking soda in the kitchen can not only save you money on expensive cleaning products but also solve some messy and smelly problems. Of course bicarb is also environmentally friendly which is very important in looking after the future of our planet. So are you ready for some tips?

Baby Bottles

Use bicarbonate of soda to give baby bottles a good cleaning. Put a couple of teaspoons of bicarb into the bottle and pour hot water in. Leave to soak for a while and then rinse

Burnt Pans

There are a few tricks here.

Either let the pan soak in bicarb and water for 10 minutes before washing or scrub the pot with bicarb and a moist scouring pad.

For badly-burnt pans (we’ve all had one of these from time to time) pour a thick layer of soda directly onto the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle on just enough water to moisten the soda. Leave the pot overnight and scrub it clean the next day.

Dishcloths and Sponges

Freshen up smelly dishcloths and kitchen sponges by making a mixture of baking soda and warm water. Leave the cloths soaking overnight. This will remove any sour odours.

Dishwashers

Have you ever been hit by a nasty odour when opening up your dishwasher? This is bound to happen eventually from the food residue which is left on our crockery, cutlery, pots and pans. Sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda on the bottom of the dishwasher between loads. The bicarb will help adsorb the odour and just rinse out at the start of the next cycle.

Washing Machine Drum

Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water to remove grime and dirt from the drum of your washing machine. This also works well on the inside door of your dishwasher.

Microwave

We all do it without thinking and anyone with children knows the drama. Someone heats up food for a tad too long and it splatters all over the inside of the microwave. Inevitably you open the door to see dried bits of food decorating the inside of your microwave like some form of modern art..

Place a bowl filled with water and bicarb in your microwave and cook on high for about 60 seconds. Wipe the dried food off with a sponge. No rubbing, soaking or cursing needed.

Fridges

This is probably one of the ways I use bicarbonate of soda the most. Leave a small bowl of bicarb in your fridge and it will help eliminate lingering and unwanted food odours.

Freshen up the inside of your fridge by dissolving some bicarb in water and wiping down.

Vegetables

Clean your vegetables with baking soda by sprinkling some in water. Soak and rinse the produce well before cooking or eating.

Wooden Cutting Boards

Wooden cutting boards pick up the odours of fish, garlic, onions, garlic etc. Make a paste of 3 parts bicarb to 1 part water. Rub the paste into the board and leave it for a few minutes. Rinse very well and allow to dry.

Teapots and Cups

Teapots and cups pick up tea stains from repeated use. Wash them thoroughly in a solution of 4 Tbsp baking soda to 2 pints of water. For stubborn stains try soaking for a while.

If you need to check the conversion for pints to millilitres see our post and handy printables for Kitchen Conversions by clicking this button.

Please look out for my next post in this series which will focus on using baking soda in bathrooms.