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Paintwork (and upvc window frames) will brighten after a wipe-down with Liquid Soda Crystals or use a regular solution of Soda Crystals in warm water. You can prepare bare wood for painting too with a regular solution.
Blinds
A wipe with a regular solution of Soda Crystals will brighten Venetian blinds, and help to shrug off dust.
Deodorising
Here's a tip to remember – if you use Bicarbonate of Soda as a fridge or cupboard deodoriser, pour the contents of the old box down the drain to get two uses for the price of one! If your drains lead to a septic tank, Bicarb will help keep the pH balance in the tank at the right level.
Deodorising Musty Books
Simply place your book open in a freezer bag with four tablespoons of Bicarbonate of Soda, seal and leave for 2 -3 weeks. Remove the book from the bag and the bicarb will have absorbed the musty smell without masking the odour or harming your books.
Cane furniture
Cane and wicker furniture will come clean after a wash with a regular Soda Crystals solution. Not only that, Soda Crystals help to harden the cane and tighten sagging seats. Beware, loose lacquer or varnish may be removed by soda crystals.
Pet odours
Borax is a very effective odour neutraliser. Spills on carpets or upholstery will cause stains or leave offensive odours. Borax can help with some of these problem stains. Before treating carpet or upholstery, test an unexposed area with a Borax paste to make sure the dye is colour-fast to spot treatment.
Deodorise Pet Bedding: Eliminate odours from pet bedding by sprinkling liberally with Bicarbonate of Soda, wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odours), then vacuum up.
Deter your pet: Another quick, simple method of removing pet urine odour on furniture is to spray White Vinegar to the affected area. This will remove the unpleasant smell and deter your pet from returning to the same spot.
Mattresses and spills
Neutralise urine and sour spilled milk odours from mattresses and mattress covers by dampening the spot and sprinkling Borax over it. Rub the Borax into the areas and let dry. Brush or vacuum to remove the dry Borax.
Upholstery
Dab upholstery with a mild solution to get rid of stains - or simply to freshen up the fabric. Take care not to scrub wool or other upholstery fabrics - it could damage them. Always test fabrics for colour fastness before using Soda Crystals.
Cleaning Windows and Mirrors
An ideal method of achieving clean, streak free windows is to use White Vinegar, and buff using an old newspaper – leaving you with windows your neighbours will envy. For very dirty windows and mirrors clean first with mild soda solution, then polish off with a White Vinegar clean.
Unblocking and cleaning drains
Because Soda Crystals dissolve grease, they’re great for unblocking drains and wastepipes. Use a strong solution to flush drains regularly to keep them grease-free.
Waste bins
Clean out waste bins with a regular solution, or Liquid Soda Crystals to keep them clean and odourless.
Silverware and jewellery
To put the shine back into silverware with ease, simply line a bowl with foil, add two cups of Soda Crystals, and fill the bowl half full with hot water until the crystals are dissolved. Then submerge the silverware in the Soda Crystal solution and allow it to soak for 10 minutes. The chemical reaction between the Soda Crystals and the aluminium foil generates hydrogen to remove the silver oxide (the tarnish). Next gently rub the silver with a cloth, removing any dirt. Remove the silver from the water, and use a clean cloth to buff dry.
N.B. It is not recommended that Soda Crystals are used on aluminium or plated silver and rubber gloves should be used during prolonged exposure.
Soak delicate jewellery in a regular solution. Or, use a paste of Dri-Pak Laundry Starch and water. Apply with a damp cloth, let dry, and then remove with cheesecloth. Soft stones such as Opals should not be cleaned using Soda Crystals.
Brass and pewter
Will polish much more easily if first washed in a strong, hot solution of Soda Crystals.
Wine and Food Stains
Red wine and food stains can be treated with a strong solution of Soda Crystals. Large spillages can be treated by applying dry crystals directly to the stain, followed by rinsing in clean water. Use Soda Crystals for ink and grass stains too.
Cleaning fruit and vegetables
Bicarbonate of Soda is a safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a CLEAN damp sponge, scrub and rinse.
Keeping Flowers Fresh
To keep flowers fresher for longer, or to help revive drooping flowers, add two tablespoons of White Vinegar and a teaspoon of sugar to the water. The acid in the Vinegar works by helping to reduce bacteria overgrowth that causes the flowers to wilt. Remember to replenish the water and White Vinegar solution every couple of days, or when it becomes cloudy.
Wooden Floors
To clean outdoor wooden floors and decking, dissolve a medium solution of Soda Crystals in hot water and mop as usual.
To prepare wooden flooring for varnishing or painting, make sure that all debris and flakes are removed and mop with a strong Soda Crystals solution.
Indoor wooden and laminate flooring can be cleaned with Soap Flakes. Rinse thoroughly afterwards to remove the soap suds.
NB. Do not use Soda Crystals on Aluminium
Decorating
Use a paste made from Laundry Starch to clean stains off wallpapers. (Test for colourfastness first!) Rub on with a soft, clean cloth and then brush off.
Carpets and rugs
Sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the carpet. Leave for 15 minutes and then vacuum off. To clean a muddy spot, sprinkle Bicarbonate of Soda on the damp area. When dry, vacuum off.
Windscreens
A regular solution of Soda Crystals will help shift dead flies and grime off windscreens, Avoid splashing onto paintwork. Remove any splashes immediately.
Wheel trims
Use a regular solution of Soda Crystals to remove grime and grease.
Upholstery
Spray on liquid Soda Crystals to remove stains from fabric upholstery. Spot check on a hidden area for colour fastness.
NB. Soda Crystals should not be used on car bodywork.
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