The Fresh-Smelling Fruit You Should Mix With Baking Soda To Clean Your Home

In a world filled with chemicals, it's revitalizing to take control and use natural cleaning substitutes that'll still get the work done. They're multipurpose, budget-friendly, and typically safer to have around pets and children. But that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice results. As many know, baking soda is a superstar at crossing off tasks in regard to cleaning, from the kitchen to the bathroom. There are even ways you can safely use baking soda in your yard, too! It's excellent at neutralizing odors, removing stains, and its mild abrasive makeup is helpful for scrubbing. For a boost, try combining baking soda with another powerhouse ingredient — lemon.

Lemons can do so much more than add a twist to your drink. They contain citric acid, which helps fight bacteria and lift stains while leaving behind a delicious scent. Their rinds also have oils that are great at eliminating stains and grease. It's a fruit to keep on hand when cleaning day rolls around — you can even grow a lemon tree indoors! To take it to another level, grab the baking soda from the cabinet as well. When used together, they can tackle chores like cleaning the kitchen sink, lightening grout, and shining up the bathroom.

If you have a kitchen sink that's looking a little grungy, start by slicing a lemon in half. Then, scoop a bit of baking soda onto the fleshy side of one of the halves. You've now created a cleaning tool that's perfect for battling the sink. Give it a tiny squeeze and you'll see the fizzing magic. Scrub the surface of the sink from top to bottom, paying attention to grime, stains, and limescale. With baking soda's grit and lemon's citric acid, it's easy to get the sink looking cleaner and brighter. Next, wash the sink out thoroughly using warm water, then wipe it down with a soft microfiber cloth. It should now have a lemony-fresh scent as well.

Top your grout with a mixture of baking soda, lemon juice, and water. Let it sit for 30 minutes or so. Then, give it a scrub with a brush, and it should help lighten it up. You can also create the same mixture in a bottle to use as a bathroom cleaner. For an added punch, you can bring vinegar into the mix. Create an all-purpose cleaning solution by combining 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, two tablespoons of vinegar, and 1 cup of water. Carefully pour it into a spray bottle, and it'll work wonders on different home surfaces.

Whip up a hardworking, non-toxic paste using lemons and baking soda. First, wash up three lemons and remove the peels (which is the part you'll be using). Place the peels into a blender, then add three tablespoons of baking soda and a 3/4 cup of water. Blend the ingredients until they become a paste-like consistency. Finally, scoop the paste into a jar with a lid. It can be used for scrubbing pots and pans, deodorizing, removing grease, and cleaning surfaces like countertops.

You can even make a simple air freshener by scooping a teaspoon of baking soda into 2 cups of hot water and allowing it to dissolve. Then, add a small amount of lemon juice (1 teaspoon) and transfer to a spray bottle. It'll help your home smell good without releasing chemicals into the air, which is a huge plus. What a great team baking soda and lemon make! Just always ensure to test out natural cleaning solutions in a small, inconspicuous area of the surface or item you're cleaning before committing to a full application.