Baking soda, at comment-economiser.fr, is one of our favorite products!
It must be said that it is not expensive, effective and ecological.
And above all, its daily uses are countless.
But baking soda is not the only white powder with multiple virtues!
Soda crystals (also called carbonate) are also a super effective white powder for degreasing and disinfecting in depth!
What is the difference between these 2 white powders that look alike? To see more clearly, we conducted the survey:
Just like baking soda, soda crystals are a 100% natural product.
And just like baking soda, soda crystals come in the form of small white grains.
But those of soda crystals are generally thicker. They almost look like small marbles.
Soda crystals are found in nature, in natron deposits, in Russia, in the Sahara, in Africa, in California and it appears on Mars too!
But they can also be made from sea salt and chalk. It's inexpensive and safe for the environment.
Know that if you mix soda crystals with water and carbon dioxide, you get baking soda.
Compared to bicarbonate, soda crystals are more corrosive.
Therefore, they degrease, clean and disinfect even better than bicarbonate.
It is therefore important not to be mistaken, because precautions must be taken when handling soda crystals.
Only concern, soda crystals can be aggressive with the skin.
It is therefore recommended to wear household gloves when using them. This way, there is no risk of skin irritation.
As they are corrosive, they are not suitable for certain surfaces that are too fragile.
For example, it is not recommended to use them on parquet floors or furniture in raw or waxed wood...
...or even on aluminum furniture, lacquered supports or glass-ceramic induction hobs.
In the same way, they do not go well with delicate and fragile laundry and clothes with bright colors that could rub off.
In these cases, soda crystals should be avoided in the washing machine!
We will have understood:soda crystals are the "muscle man" of the household.
There is not much that resists them! Stains just have to watch out.
Soda crystals are particularly ultra degreasing. They have the particularity of saponifying fats.
That is to say, they transform the grease into... soap which, when rinsed, mixes with water and leaves with the waste water. Very handy, isn't it?
The uses of soda crystals are numerous:
- Disinfects: pour a liter of hot water into a bucket or basin and add a teaspoon of soda crystals. And that's all ! Your disinfectant is already ready. It is ideal for disinfecting floors, kitchen worktops, bathrooms or any other resistant surface. With one swipe, it kills all bacteria...and without having to put up with the foul smell of bleach or harmful chemicals. It is for example very effective for disinfecting garbage cans. Find out how here.
- Degreases: there is burned and encrusted grease on your gas cooker? Do not panic. Take out the soda crystals and mix 1 tablespoon in 1 liter of hot water. Generously dampen a sponge with your mixture and pass it over the dirty surfaces. Leave to act for 10 min. Then wipe with a clean sponge. There you go, no more traces of grease! And it also works if your cooking utensils are full of grease. Check out the trick here.
- Makes shine: if you want to make your dishes shine, fill a basin with hot water and put 70 g of soda crystals in it. Soak the dishes in it for 5 minutes. Don't forget to rinse it well. Your dishes will sparkle so much they will be clean! Find out here how to make an ultra degreasing dishwashing product with soda crystals.
- Unclogs dirt: did your stove burn? A moment of inattention and it quickly happened! To revive a burnt pan or saucepan, pour soda crystals on the bottom. Then add boiling water and leave to act for about 6 hours. All you have to do is wipe it down and rinse. You will see, the burnt will come off very easily. And your pan will be like new! Check out the trick here.
- Removes limescale: ah limestone, it gets stuck everywhere! On the floor of the bathroom, on the walls of the shower, on the walls or the fittings, the indoor or outdoor tiles... Fortunately, soda crystals are very effective in removing tartar and limescale. To remove limescale, mix 2 tablespoons of soda crystals in 2 liters of hot water. Dip a sponge in the mixture and rub the parts where the limestone has become encrusted. Rinse then dry with a soft cloth. The result is nickel! And it also works to descale toilets. Discover the trick here.
- Softens: If you have hard water at home, be aware that soda crystals can soften the water. As a result, your detergent is even more effective and you use less of it. To do this, simply add a handful of soda crystals to the drum of the washing machine with the dirty laundry. Please note that this trick is not suitable for delicate laundry and colored clothes.
- Unclogs the sink: Are your pipes clogged or even clogged? Wait before using chemicals! Mix in a container half a glass of soda crystals and a glass of white vinegar. Pour the mixture into the clogged sink and leave to act for 30 minutes. Then rinse with warm water. Check out the trick here.
- Peel off the wallpaper: Pour a little water (2 litres) into a basin and add 3 tablespoons of soda crystals. Soak a sponge in the mixture and apply it to the wallpaper to dampen it. The lengths of wallpaper will come off on their own! Check out the trick here.
Baking soda is also a 100% natural product.
It is found, for example, in hot springs, thermal springs or when the water in certain lakes evaporates.
Moreover, in ancient times, the Egyptians already used baking soda to wash their teeth.
Since the mid-19th century, baking soda has been obtained by a chemical process, in particular from soda crystals.
As you may know, there are several kinds of baking soda.
Food baking soda can be used for beauty care, for hygiene, to whiten teeth or aid digestion.
Household (or technical) baking soda is less pure (and cheaper). It is recommended for cleaning. And it is better to use gloves to handle them.
Its uses are many. It is used much like soda crystals, but it is less corrosive and aggressive.
- Cleans: thanks to its small fine grains, bicarbonate is a soft abrasive. It disinfects, deodorizes, whitens, degreases, cleans almost all surfaces without damaging them. It is also an excellent fungicide and an effective anti mold that stops the development of fungi. Just sprinkle it on a damp sponge and wipe it over dirty surfaces. Then rinse and wipe with a clean, dry cloth. And everything will be nickel chrome! Find out, for example, how to clean your sink with baking soda.
- Softens: if you want to use less detergent, add a cup of baking soda to the drum of the washing machine and 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda to the detergent or prewash compartment of the machine. Not only does it partially replace detergent, but it also acts as a softener for your laundry. As a result, you have perfectly clean and soft laundry and you save on detergent. Pretty interesting, right?
- Scrub: bicarbonate is very useful in the kitchen. For example, by making a paste with baking soda, you can scour the oven or hotplates. To do this, just pour a little water (or dishwashing product or soap) on the baking soda to obtain the desired consistency. The mixture is applied to the surface to be cleaned, left to act for 5 minutes and rinsed. The paste made with baking soda can also be used as a dishwashing product. Find out how here.
- Removes limescale: mix the baking soda with salt, in equal parts. You get a super effective anti-limescale product to clean the faucets or the walls of the shower. Put your mixture on a damp sponge. Pass it on the taps, insisting on the traces of limestone and rinse. Pass a cloth to shine the faucets and that's it. Find out how here.
- Cleans the toilet: you can also use it to clean toilets. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of baking soda on the toilet bowl. Add a little white vinegar. With a spray, it's easier. Use the toilet brush to scrub and flush. Find out how here.
- Eliminates bad odors: Bad smells in the fridge? Between fish and cheese, it doesn't always smell very good when you open the fridge! The solution is to put a cup full of baking soda in the fridge. If the sofa, rug or carpet smells bad, sprinkle baking soda on the textiles. Leave for 1 hour and vacuum. To avoid tobacco and cigarette smells throughout the house, put a little baking soda at the bottom of the ashtrays.
- Treats fungal infections: as baking soda is antifungal, it can help you get rid of foot fungus. Before putting on your socks or stockings, sprinkle baking soda on the yeast infections. It will clean up fungal infections by absorbing moisture and perspiration. You can also make a foot bath by mixing a liter of warm water with 4 tablespoons of baking soda in a basin. Soak your feet in it for 15 minutes. Know that you can use this remedy as often as you want.
- Improves oral hygiene: bad breath can happen to anyone. Fortunately, baking soda can be a great help in restoring fresh breath. It helps to get rid of meal residues stuck between the teeth. They are the ones that promote cavities. Thanks to its alkaline pH, bicarbonate neutralizes acidity in the mouth. This allows it to fight against dental plaque and freshen breath. Discover the remedy here.
- Treats canker sores: baking soda is also very effective in soothing pain due to canker sores as well as sore gums. For this, the best way to use it is mouthwash. Just prepare a glass of cold water and add a teaspoon of baking soda to it. Mix and wash your mouthwash for a few seconds before spitting out your remedy. You will immediately feel the difference. Discover the remedy here.
- Whitens teeth: To whiten teeth, it is best to sprinkle a little baking soda directly on the toothbrush. Then you brush your teeth like you would toothpaste. Attention, it is a very effective remedy to whiten the teeth and it should not be done too often. Otherwise, your tooth enamel could be damaged. Check out the trick here.
- Aids digestion: the alkaline pH of bicarbonate facilitates digestion by regulating the acidity of the mucous membranes. As a result, digestion is easier and stomach aches disappear. For quick relief, just drink a large glass of water mixed with a tablespoon of baking soda. Discover the remedy here.
You can also add a teaspoon of baking soda to the cooking water for starches or vegetables. Very practical for preparing cabbage, for example! In addition, it allows you to keep the beautiful colors of your vegetables during cooking.
You can find it in most supermarkets, DIY stores or organic stores.
You can also order edible baking soda, technical baking soda or soda crystals on the Internet.
