Everyone knows to keep a box of baking soda in the refrigerator, but did you know that it has hundreds of other uses around the house?

Baking Soda is safe, non-toxic and most importantly - highly effective.

Baking Soda and water will clean and scour as well as any commercial product.  To make this paste just add enough water to get the constancy of cake batter

Here are some helpful tips for the Kitchen...

• Remove pesticides, dirt and wax from fruit and vegetables by adding a few tablespoons baking soda to a sink of warm water.  Add the produce and gently scrub.  Rinse and dry.
• Eliminate stains on your laminated counter tops.  Squeeze fresh lemon juice on the spot and let it sit for 30 minutes.  Sprinkle with baking soda, then scrub with a sponge.  Rinse with clean water and wipe dry.
• Remove stubborn stains from marble or wood counters by gently rubbing with paste of soda and water.
• Remove scratches and cuts from laminated counters by cleaning with baking soda-water paste.  Rub in circular motion and watch them disappear.
• Remove ink stains from price tags or plastic bags on counter tops with baking soda-water paste.  For old stains, apply lemon juice first.
• Clean smelly odours from your chopping block by sprinkling on baking soda and adding vinegar.  Let the two sizzle and bubble, then rinse clean.

Here are some helpful tips for the Bathroom...

• Get rid of yellow stains in the sink by mixing four tablespoons baking soda and eight tablespoons bleach with four cups hot water until it forms a paste.   Rub onto spot let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.  Rinse with cool water.
• Make a tile cleaner that will remove tough mildew stains by mixing two cups of baking soda and a half cup warm water.  Form a paste use a toothbrush to work it into the grout.  Rinse with warm water.
• Get rid of mildew stains by dipping a toothbrush in a baking soda and water paste and scrubbing each spot.
• A hair-clogged drain will flow again if you pour a handful of baking soda down the drain, followed by a glass of vinegar.  Cover for 10 minutes, then flush with hot water.

Here are some helpful tips for the Living Room & Beyond...

• It's best to spot-clean wallpaper.  Make a paste of baking soda and water.  Apply, to the spot, let dry and brush off.  Repeat if necessary.
• Sprinkle a fresh mud spot on your carpet with enough baking soda to cover it completely.  Let stand for 20 minutes, then vacuum.
• If your carpets smell musty even after you've cleaned them, the problem is most likely in the padding.  Make sure it's completely dry, then sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the entire pad.  Let dry, then vacuum.
• Cover grease spots in your rug with baking soda and rub it into the fibbers.  Let it sit for one hour, then scrub with a stiff brush.
• Mildew doesn't mean it's time for a new rug.  Sprinkle the affected areas with baking soda or cat litter.  Let stand for two hours, then vacuum.
• Get rid of cigarette door - and keep it from coming back - by layering the bottom of the ashtrays with baking soda.

Here are some helpful tips for the Laundry...

• Bleach Booster - Reduce the amount of chlorine bleach you add to your water by replacing half the amount of bleach with an equal amount of baking soda.   For example, if you normally add a cup of bleach, add a half cup bleach and a half cup baking soda.
• Blood - Remove bloodstains by running them under cool water, then sprinkle on baking soda.  Gently rub the fabric into itself and run under cool water again.
• Fabric Softener - Add a half cup baking soda to the wash load.
• Perfume - If your fabrics have turned yellow from perfume, make a paste of baking soda and ammonia.  Apply it to the stain and let it dry in the sun.  Wash as usual.
• Perspiration Stains - Make a baking soda-water paste and rub it into the spot.  Bad stains may need to sit for an hour or two.  Wash as usual.
• Ring Around The Collar - Make a baking soda-water paste and rub it onto the collar.  Add a little vinegar to stubborn stains.  Wash as usual.

Here are some helpful tips for the Baby's Room...

• A cup of baking soda sprinkled on the bottom of your baby's diaper pail will keep it smelling fresh.
• Soak baby's cloth diapers in a solution of two quarts warm water and a half cup of baking soda.
• Stuffed animals can be hard to keep clean.  Add a cup of baking soda to a clean plastic bag, drop toy, and shake vigorously.  Remove the toy and shake it over the garbage can to remove the remaining powder.
• Clean plastic toys safely and effectively with three tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in a quart of warm water.  Dip a sponge into the solution and rub it over the toys.  Use a clean damp cloth to rinse.
• Get rid of the sour smell of old milk in baby's bottle.  Fill it with warm water and add a teaspoon of baking soda.  Shake, rinse and clean as usual.   Soak bottles and nipples overnight in a bowl of hot water and half a cup baking soda.

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