5 Ways To Use Lemon Baking Soda In Household Cleaning
By combining baking soda with lemon juice you can get a cleaner to disinfect various types of surfaces. We tell you how to use it at home.
There are several ways to use the baking soda and lemon mixture in household cleaning. Many people have chosen to use this eco-friendly formula, as both ingredients have disinfectant properties that help eliminate germs from various surfaces.
They also both help to whiten mold stains and to clean up residues of grease, dust and other substances that produce unpleasant odors. Best of all, using them does not cause environmental damage. Still not trying this combination? Find out how to incorporate them back into your battery of products.
Properties of baking soda and lemon
Using lemon and baking soda in household cleaning is not just a green trend. Although it has become popular these days, it is actually one of those old grandmother tricks that has been used for many years.
Baking soda has properties that can remove dirt from many surfaces. For example, a 2012 study published in Mycopathologia claims that it is useful for removing fungi from surfaces.
However, it is extremely important to be careful when handling it, as it can be corrosive to some surfaces.
An investigation carried out in Brazil discovered that, despite being effective in disinfecting computer keyboards – combined with alcohol – this element also produced “cosmetic damage” to them. This study was published in 2018 by Environmental Monitoring & Assessment.
For its part, lemon juice is antibacterial, as stated in a study published in the Journal of Food Safety in 2008. Likewise, it is also a fat-removing agent.
How to use baking soda and lemon at home?
Next, we will list some of the most widespread uses of this combination. As we said, it is advisable to be careful with its use and use gloves, in order to avoid contact with the skin. Similarly, it is necessary to avoid contact with the mucous membranes of the body, that is, eyes, nose, mouth and private parts.
Bicarbonate can be harmful to the dermis and cause allergic reactions if administered in high doses. Lemon, due to its acidity, could also have similar effects on the skin.
On the other hand, it is also important to note that the doses described are based on traditional preparations, but have not been endorsed by science. Caution is advised when attempting to use them for household cleaning.
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Multipurpose cleaner
Clean the bathroom with baking soda and lemon.
This lemon bicarbonate cleaner can be helpful in disinfecting floors, tiles, and bathrooms. Its direct application can help eliminate microbes that accumulate on these surfaces and, in turn, remove moisture stains.
Ingredients
The juice of one lemon.
1 cup of warm water (0.07 gallons).
2 tablespoons of baking soda (0.07 pounds).
Preparation
Dilute the baking soda and lemon juice in a cup of warm water.
How to use
Spray the solution on the desired space and let it act for five minutes.
Then, rub it in with a brush or sponge and rinse.
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Detergent for whites
One of the most popular uses for baking soda and lemon is as a special white laundry detergent. In theory, this is because it concentrates bleaching actives that could be effective in removing stains.
Despite this “fame”, there are no scientific studies that corroborate the effectiveness of this use. We recommend that you do the test first with a single garment; if it works, try to use it in the others.
Ingredients
The juice of two lemons.
3 cups of hot water (0.19 gallons).
½ cup of baking soda (0.22 pounds).
Preparation
Add the baking soda to a punch bowl and then add the lemon juice and hot water.
How to use
Soak the white garments for an hour and rinse them as usual in the washing machine.
For stubborn stains, rub the baking soda and lemon mixture on your clothing.
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Kitchen degreaser
It is not necessary to resort to industrialized products to clean the kitchen oven.
According to popular beliefs, the citric acid contained in lemon juice would help loosen that fat that accumulates on various kitchen surfaces and inside the oven. Following what these home cleaning recommendations state, baking soda would enhance these effects and make the task much easier.
Ingredients
The juice of one lemon.
½ cup of baking soda (0.22 pounds).
3 tablespoons of white vinegar (1 ounce).
Preparation
To start, pour the baking soda into a deep bowl.
Add the lemon juice and wait for the effervescent effect to pass.
By Last, add the white vinegar.
How to use
Sprinkle the preparation on the greased parts and let it act for a few minutes.
Rub it in with a sponge and rinse.
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Metal polisher
The metal elements in the home tend to acquire a dull appearance due to the accumulation of dirt and traces of detergents. Using baking soda and lemon, they could restore their natural shine, especially when removing mold stains, thanks to the actions of bicarbonate described above.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon of baking soda (0.5 ounce)
1 tablespoon of lemon juice (0.3 ounce).
Preparation
Combine the baking soda with lemon juice until you get a paste.
How to use
Rub the solution on the metal elements and let it act for a few minutes.
Lastly, polish it with a soft cloth.
Discover: How to use lemon and other natural cleaning products
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Dishwasher
Is your conventional dishwasher over? Do you need to scrub the coffee cups? Then make a lemon and baking soda solution. Due to its supposed ability to degrease and disinfect, this is said to be a good alternative to clean dishes.
Ingredients
The juice of two lemons.
½ cup of baking soda (0.22 pounds).
Preparation
Make a solid paste with the baking soda and lemon. Prepare it in a deep container to avoid spillage due to the effervescent effect.
How to use
Rub the product on the dishes using the sponge.
Remove it with plenty of water.
Use the baking soda and lemon with care
As we have seen, the combination of baking soda and lemon in cleaning the home could facilitate many tasks, as long as the necessary precautions are maintained.
In this sense, it is important to remember that the objective of taking precautions is, mainly, to avoid adverse reactions, such as allergies or skin irritations.