Most people know bicarbonate of soda is the number one must-have item to have in your cleaning cupboard, even if they don’t know why.
The ingredient, which is just as popular for cleaning as it is for baking, can treat sinks, microwaves, cooker hoods, utensils and even fridges.
According to Good House Keeping, you can use the powder to remove stains from plastic food containers, make hobs sparkling, get rid of hard-to-remove grease from pans, deodorise upholstery and carpets, give toys an extra lease of life, and even make whites even brighter after a wash.
So what is it behind the simple ingredient that is so magical, helping to remove crayon stains from walls and mildew from your bathroom all at the same time?
Consumer magazine Which? explains it forms a mild alkaline solution when mixed with water, which is found in lots of cleaning products.
“Doing this can affect the charge (positive or negative) of stains, which can help them to dissolve more easily,” the publication states.
In addition to this, bicarbonate of soda is also good as an abrasive, making it easier to scrub away stains from pots and pans or kitchen worktops.
Another ingredient that is just as effective in cleaning is lemon juice. As it contains citric acid, it can soften hard water or make fats soluble, in addition to changing the charge of stains, making them easier to remove.
Before you sprinkle lemon juice all over your house though, Which? warns homeowners: “The corrosive nature of them will damage some things over time, including wood furniture and flooring.”
Need help with keeping your house in good condition? Get in touch for our deep cleaning services in North London today.