I’ve always thought of baking soda as one of those boring pantry items. It sits quietly on a shelf, usually forgotten unless a recipe specifically calls for it. I used it for baking cookies now and then, and that was about it. I never imagined it could solve one of the most annoying everyday problems in my home.
It all started on a normal afternoon while I was cleaning the kitchen. Nothing dramatic, nothing special. Just one of those moments where you notice how worn down things look over time. The sink had dull stains. The trash can lid had a lingering odor no matter how many times I wiped it down. Even the fridge smelled slightly off, though I couldn’t pinpoint why.
I felt frustrated. I didn’t want to use harsh cleaners, and honestly, I was tired of buying new products that promised miracles but barely worked. That’s when my eyes landed on the small box of baking soda tucked away near the back of the shelf.
I remembered hearing people talk about “old-school cleaning tricks,” so I figured there was nothing to lose. What happened next honestly surprised me.
The Simple Baking Soda Trick That Changed How I Clean
The trick itself is almost laughably simple. No fancy tools. No strong smells. Just baking soda and a bit of warm water.
I started by sprinkling baking soda directly onto the surfaces that bothered me the most. The sink, the trash can lid, and even a small corner of the fridge shelf. Then I added just enough warm water to create a thick paste.
At first, it didn’t look impressive. Just a white, chalky mixture sitting there. But I gently rubbed it in using a sponge, moving slowly instead of scrubbing aggressively.
That’s when I noticed something unexpected.
The dull stains in the sink began to fade almost immediately. Not magically disappearing, but clearly loosening. The sponge glided more easily, and the surface underneath looked brighter than it had in months.
I let the paste sit for about ten minutes before wiping everything clean with a damp cloth.
The difference was impossible to ignore.
continued on next page
