Bicarbonate of Soda Cleaning Tips

Bicarbonate of soda is gently abrasive and a great natural de-odoriser. Use it to:

• Absorb food odours in the fridge. Fill a ramekin dish with bicarb and leave it to work its magic.
• Stop trainers smelling. Sprinkle a little bicarb inside them, then tap it out before you next put them on.
• Freshen stale sponges. Mix with water and leave the sponge to soak.
• De-odorise carpets, upholstered furniture and even pet beds.  Sprinkle on, leave for 15 mins and then vacuum up.
• Clean counter tops, stainless steel sinks and utensils. Mix into a past with water and scrub.
• Remove tarnish from sterling silver. Make up a paste using three parts bicarb to one part water and apply with a lint-free cloth or paper towel, then rinse.

Source: In feature on cleaning tips in Good Housekeeping, May 2019