Stain Removal & Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate, better known as baking soda, is a versatile and inexpensive household product. In addition to a multiplicity of other uses, it can remove stains from a wide variety of surfaces, whether it is used on its own or mixed with other substances.

If an article of your clothing is stained with an acid of some sort, then treating the stain with sodium bicarbonate before washing should help to remove the stain. Spread the sodium bicarbonate over the affected area and then get it wet. Put it in the wash and make sure it rinses in warm water.

If you have a particularly stubborn stain on a surface made of formica, marble or plastic, use a brush and a paste made from baking soda and water to scour the surface.

Baking soda can also be used on a wide variety of other materials and surfaces. You can use it to clean stainless steel, to remove tannin stains caused by tea and coffee from crockery and to remove crayon stains from wallpaper. Just sprinkle it onto a wet sponge and apply to the surface.

Baking soda also makes a great stain remover when used in tandem with other substances, such as lemon juice and vinegar. Simply mix the liquids with the powder until they become a paste, and apply to the surface using a scrub brush.

Baking soda is also useful for cleaning your teeth. If your teeth are stained by coffee or other substances you can brush your teeth with baking soda and it will polish your teeth, causing them to reflect more light and therefore appear "whiter."

Generally, sodium bicarbonate will work better on yellow or brown tooth stains as opposed to gray stains. Also, it is recommended by the American Dental Association that you consult with your dentist while using sodium bicarbonate on your teeth. There are also several toothpastes that can be bought containing sodium bicarbonate, which you can use to gain most of the advantages of using pure sodium bicarbonate.