Diane Sutherland - Bicarbonate of Soda

If you glance at the ingredients of most of the cleaning products that live under your sink, youll find a scary list of some truly horrendous-sounding chemicals, many refined from petrol and most of them highly toxic. It doesnt have to be like that. Bicarbonate of soda used in various ways, neat or diluted, can replace many of those cleaners at a fraction of the price and at considerably less risk to your health. Heres how

Washing-up

End that Sinking Feeling

For effective, ecofriendly washing-up, simply add 1 tablespoon bicarbonate of soda to a sinkful of hot water and swish in the juice of half a lemon. If you use commercial washing-up liquid, add a couple of tablespoons (or more) of bicarb to the water to boost its action. This is really effective when dealing with greasy dishes.

A Handy Stand-by

Keep a little bowl of dry soda close to the sink. If you encounter a stubborn stain, dip your washing-up cloth, brush or sponge in and scrub the offending mark will be gone in a jiffy. This doesnt just work on crockery and pans but is also great for glass and plastic cookware. But dont use on non-stick finishes though not ever, never.

And Heres Another One

Pop some bicarb into a flour or sugar shaker and keep it by the sink. Use it to sprinkle on stains, then scrub and rinse. Or recycle a plastic scouring powder or talcum powder container and use to hold dry bicarb. Whatever sort of container you use, be sure to label it carefully so it doesnt get mistaken for food.

Banish Dirty Dishcloths and Washed-up Sponges

Rinse dishcloths and washing-up sponges after use in a solution of hot water and bicarb to keep them smelling like roses. Occasionally soak overnight for an extra powerful freshen-up. Always dry cloths thoroughly before putting away to keep them hygienic and to avoid the build-up of unpleasant smells.

Up to Your Elbows in Hot Water?

Keep those Marigolds smelling like daisies by sprinkling a little bicarbonate of soda into your rubber gloves each time you take them off. Not only will it absorb any dampness and keep them fresh for next time, they will also glide on and off like a dream.

In the Dishwasher

Why spend money on multicoloured tablets with a ball stuck in the middle for no apparent reason? Make up your own dishwasher powder by putting 2 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda and 2 tablespoons borax into the powder compartment for a full load.

What Is that Smell?

To freshen up a whiffy dishwasher and give it a thorough clean, sprinkle about 150g / 5 oz / cup bicarb into the bottom of the machine and run it empty through a complete hot cycle. Whiffiness over.

And reduce odour build-up between cycles by sprinkling about a handful of soda over the dirty dishes and onto the bottom of your dishwasher.

Clean Plates but Dirty Dishwasher?

For stubborn stains in your dishwasher, use dry soda on a damp cloth or sponge, or mix up a paste with soda and a little water and use like cream cleaner. This is particularly effective for getting rid of those nasty bits that build up around the hinges, rubber door gaskets and in other hard-to-reach areas of dishwashers. Rinse well to remove any residue.

Welcome Home

No one wants to return to a smelly dishwasher after theyve been on holiday, so sprinkle a little bicarb into the empty machine and leave the door slightly open. It will be a delight to come back to.

Pots and Pans

For those boring things that wont go in the dishwasher, mix together equal quantities of bicarbonate of soda, borax and salt, and use as a scouring powder that will cut through the heaviest grease and grime on pans, grills and baking trays.

Remember to rinse well afterwards, and dont use on non-stick surfaces, such as Teflon, as it will damage them. Soda will also tend to make aluminium pans go darker.

Dont Want to Wash Them Right Now?

Alternatively, soak dirty pots and pans in a basin of hot water with 2 or 3 tablespoons bicarb for about an hour. Then scrub them clean with an abrasive scrubber. Again not for non-stick, under any circumstances.

Left a Pan on the Heat and Forgotten About It?

To remove seriously burned-on food, soak the pan in bicarb and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry soda and a moist scouring pad. Dont use abrasive cleaners on non-stick housewares.

For a really scorched pan with burned-on food in the bottom, scrape off as much of the debris as you can, then pour a thick layer of baking soda directly into the pan. Moisten the baking soda with a little water, then leave to work overnight. This should loosen the burnt food and youll just need to scrub clean and rinse. If this still doesnt work, boil a strong solution of soda in the pan for about 10 minutes. This should soften up the burnt food sufficiently for you to scrub it away with some dry soda on a damp scourer.

What About Non-stick?

For burnt pans that you dont want to scrub, such as non-stick, bring a mixture of water and 250ml / 8 fl oz / 1 cup vinegar to the boil in the pan. Remove from the heat and add a couple of tablespoons of soda. Leave to soak overnight then wipe clean and rinse well.

Give Chopping Board Smells the Chop

Chopping (cutting) boards can acquire a less-than-pleasant smell over time, so give yours a regular spring clean by shaking over about three tablespoons of bicarb and sprinkling with just enough water to moisten. Leave for about 15 minutes to absorb those onion and garlic odours, then rub well with a wet sponge. Rinse in clean water and allow to dry.

Mugs and Cups

Use a paste of bicarb and water to remove tea and coffee stains from ceramic and melamine cups. Leave the solution in the cup for a while, then rub and rinse. So much more ecological than bleach, and it doesnt leave an aftertaste.

Surfaces

Work on those Worktops

Wipe your kitchen worktops over with a little dry bicarbonate of soda sprinkled onto a damp cloth or sponge. Rinse with clean water and wipe dry. Its a safe and natural way to keep surfaces clean and leaves them free of taint.

Alternatively, mix up a solution of bicarb and hot water and use this to wash down your worktops leaving them sparkling and fresh. Rinse and dry as above. Rinse your cleaning cloths or sponges in the same solution and dry thoroughly before putting away.

Freshen up Formica

To erase stains on laminate worktops such as Formica, use a thick paste of bicarb and rub gently until the offending mark disappears. Rinse well to remove the white residue. If that doesnt fix it, squeeze some lemon juice onto the stain, leave for around half an hour, then add a little dry soda to the lemon. Rub with a sponge, rinse clean and dry.

Shining Sinks

Sinks come up sparkling and bright when you clean them with bicarbonate of soda. Use dry on a damp cloth, or make up a paste with soda and water, and use like cream cleaner.

Back to White

If your porcelain or white enamel sink has taken on an unpleasant yellowish tinge, get it looking like new by mixing 1 litre warm water with 50g / 2 oz / cup soda and 120ml / 4 fl oz / cup chlorine bleach. Pour into the sink and leave to soak for a quarter of an hour. Keep children and pets away while you are doing this. Then rinse well until the bleachy smell goes completely.

Degrease Lightning

Prevent the build-up of grease in your kitchen sink drain by regularly putting a large handful of dry bicarb down. Do this about once a month for best results, and make sure you do it just before you set off on holiday so there are no nasty drain smells on your return.

Alternatively