There are certain areas of the home that seem to get dirty almost instantly, meaning it’s really important to have a strong selection of cleaning products at hand, ready to tackle anything – and soda crystals are one of the best
Maintaining our homes spick and span is not always a piece of cake. There are certain spots that just seem to attract dirt like a magnet, meaning it’s crucial to have a robust selection of cleaning products at the ready, prepared to tackle anything.
As we all likely know, white vinegar is one of the true champions of maintaining a clean home. This natural yet potent ingredient can add an impressive shine to glass, countertops and so much more, and it’s cheap too. However, during a recent cleaning frenzy, I decided to swap my usual white vinegar for something different – and it worked a treat.
A few months ago, I’d purchased a bag of soda crystals which I’d used to brighten a load of laundry. It worked a treat, but I hadn’t used them since, and they’d been gathering dust at the back of my cupboard. However, I’d seen a few cleaning gurus online rave about how brilliant they were for cleaning glass and limescale, as it effectively dissolves any lingering dirt if you apply it as a thick paste and leave it on any affected areas, reports the Express.
There were three main areas I thought could benefit from a good helping of soda crystals – the oven, shower glass and toilet. So, after putting some soda crystals in a bowl and gradually adding small amounts of water until the consistency was nice and thick, I got stuck in.
Cleaning oven with soda crystals
So, I applied the soda crystals paste with a cloth, ensuring it fully covered the glass in a generous layer. The beauty of this hack is its simplicity – just leave it for about an hour to really get into the grime.
Next, I used a coarser cloth to scrub the paste in circular motions. I was taken aback by how much dirt was immediately lifted off without much elbow grease.
I rinsed and repeated a few times until both the paste and the dirt were completely gone, then gave it a quick spritz with surface cleaner and wiped off any residue. It genuinely looked as good as new, and I’ve been singing the praises of this hack ever since.
Cleaning toilet with soda crystals
However, it certainly needed a clean. To tackle this, I simply sprinkled a few cups of soda crystals into and around the bowl, and let it sit for another hour.
To really get to grips with the mess, I used an old toothbrush to scrub off any remaining stubborn bits before flushing it away. The outcome?
A spotlessly clean toilet bowl, achieved without any harsh chemicals.
Cleaning shower glass with soda crystals
I employed the same method of applying the thick paste with a cloth, then leaving it for an hour before scrubbing it off in circular motions and wiping it clean afterwards.
As evident from the photos, all the soap and water marks disappeared, leaving a stunning sheen that’s typically quite difficult to achieve. If you’ve never used soda crystals for cleaning, give it a go – they’re just £2 from Asda, and a single bag is enough to handle loads of different tasks.