15 Money saving cleaning tips using Bicarbonate of soda and lemon juice.

We know what it’s like, it is just after Christmas and it really does seem like a very long time until the next pay day. So now that the kids are back at school and we can pretend that spring is on its way, use the foul weather outside as an excuse to get creative with your cupboard staples and get your home sparkling for next to nothing and without polluting the environment and your home. These two items can be found in most cupboards or can be picked up for next to nothing in most supermarkets and will prove to be invaluable.

Bicarbonate of soda (Baking Soda)

1. Cleaning ovens – Remove any thick or loose grime from the oven using a scourer or scraper (Rubber Spatula’s actually do this job very well without risking scratching your oven). Make a thick paste using water and bicarbonate soda and spread over any baked on grease and grime and leave for a few hours or overnight for really tough grease. The grime will literally peel off. Wipe clean with hot soapy water. There are no bad smells, no dangerous chemicals and no harm done if you accidentally turn the oven on while letting it set.

2. Sprinkle over carpets and leave overnight for easy deodorising and cleaning of carpets. Vacuum off the next morning. For added cleaning power use a soft brush and rub the baking soda in to the pile. The dirt will stick to the powder and lift off when vacuumed.

3. Sprinkle into the toilet bowl and leave for a few hours to remove limescale. For dirty sinks, baths and showers, again sprinkle around and rinse off. For stubborn limescale marks around the taps make into a paste using water and rub around the offending area. It will not scratch the enamel like a scrubbing pad can.

4. To freshen up clothes, put a few sprinkles in the washing machine and put on a quick spin.

5. Baking soda is also fantastic at removing stains from teeth!

6. To remove smells from the fridge, take the lid off the baking soda and leave in the fridge for a few hours. For really stubborn smells or if you are storing food that really smells (curries, onions, stilton, fish etc) leave the tub in the fridge for the duration of storing these types of food, just stir the contents regularly.

7. Grease fires can be put out by sprinkling baking soda over the flames.

8. To remove the ‘wet dog’ smell from our beloved pets, sprinkle their wet fur with baking soda and brush our after a few minutes or when they are dry. It is non-toxic to our furry friends and should not cause any problems even if it is licked (although it may not taste that nice to them!).

Lemon Juice:

1. Lemon juice brings chrome up a treat and will remove any stains and marks quickly and easily.

2. Rather than bleaching chopping boards, which can leave a horrible taint to food, use half a lemon and scrub over the surface, leave to stand for 10 minutes and wipe off. Lemon is a natural anti-bacterial so will also kill germs.

3. Put a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice in a mug and add water to ¾ full, place in the microwave and turn on until the water is just boiling. Leave for 10 minutes and any stains, marks and smells will easily wipe away.

4. To remove grease stains from clothing, rub with half a cut lemon and wash as normal.

5. To clean windows put a few tablespoons into a spray bottle with some water. It will clean as well as vinegar but smells better.

6. Clean hard water stains and limescale off of shower screens. Use half a cut lemon and work it in well to the marks.

7. Unclog the drains with a mixture of baking soda, followed by lemon juice. Add the baking soda first, followed immediately by the lemon juice and the foaming action will help unclog the drains quite efficiently.