Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, is a fine white powder that is slightly salty, alkaline in nature, highly absorbent, but sparingly soluble in water.
You should take advantage of the benefits of having baking soda in your bathroom as this ingredient is not only miraculous for cooking but also great for cleaning and deodorizing, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
The advantages of having baking soda in your bathroom
A bathroom is a confined, small, and damp space. If not regularly cleaned and wiped, it can develop unpleasant odors and have a negative impact on your health. The advantages of having baking soda in your bathroom are to neutralize odors, clean dirt around the toilet, and unclog drains if necessary.
Typically, the gases that cause unpleasant odors in the bathroom have acidic characteristics. Baking soda, on the other hand, is alkaline and will create a chemical reaction that changes the pH level in the room, thereby absorbing and neutralizing odors.
Place a small dish/plate of baking soda in strategic positions such as above the toilet or near the bathroom trash can to effectively eliminate odors. Additionally, you can sprinkle baking soda in the drain areas of the bathroom to disinfect and unclog pipes.
Baking soda can be used to scrub toilets, sinks, or tiled walls and floors easily without causing any abrasion to their surfaces, unlike many other cleaning chemicals.
Combining baking soda with essential oils also creates a natural and pleasant-smelling oil concoction that is suitable for keeping in the bathroom to deodorize and provide a refreshing scent.
The advantages of having baking soda in your bathroom are to neutralize odors and clean the toilet. (Image: Istock)
How to use baking soda in the bathroom
The following specific applications will help you make the most of the benefits of having baking soda in your bathroom.
Remove stains, rust on faucets
Pour 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl, add vinegar, and mix well. Then, pour this mixture onto the stained, rusty areas on the faucets. After a few minutes, rinse off the faucets with water and soap to have a like-new faucet.
Unclog drains
Directly pour baking soda powder into the drains, then add vinegar to make the mixture bubble. Wait for 15 minutes to allow the mixture to decompose with the waste, then rinse the drains again with water for a clear and unobstructed drain.
Toilet cleaning
Press the flush button to dampen the surface, helping the baking soda powder adhere better.
Pour baking soda directly onto the areas inside the toilet such as the bowl, the surrounding area, the surface, and the lid.
Add vinegar to create a foaming mixture.
Use a common toilet brush to scrub the toilet and the dirt in the surrounding area.
After finishing scrubbing, pour or pump water to rinse, and press the flush button for a clean and sparkling toilet.
Bathroom cleaning
An improperly cleaned bathroom can accumulate mold in corners or gaps between tiles, while also emitting a damp and musty smell. Cleaning agents can quickly clean these areas but they have an unpleasant chemical smell and may have a negative impact on your health. Therefore, baking soda is the perfect choice.
You just need to pour baking soda directly on the wall, tiles, or any dirt spots in the bathroom, then scrub with a brush and rinse with water to easily clean them. It is advisable to maintain a bathroom cleaning schedule of 2 to 3 times per week to keep this area clean and fresh.
A small note is that you should replace the baking soda in the bathroom after about 2-3 weeks and not reuse the baking soda that has been left in the bathroom.