Have you ever noticed that cleaning is much easier when you feel good about the products you're using - and they look good, too? The bathroom is one of my least favorite chores. Big surprise, right?
I doubt scrubbing toilets is at the top of too many to-do lists. But I recently made a baking soda scouring powder that's naturally infused with herbs and spices, and it almost makes me look forward to my date with porcelain.
Baking Soda Soft Scrub - 3 Ways
Scrubbing the sink (or tub!) is no fun, but it's better with products you like. Baking soda is Mother Nature's scouring powder and, combined with herbs and spices, it might even make you look forward to your date with porcelain.
I found the idea of simple baking soda scrubbers in the fabulous book The Naturally Clean Home. The tiny tome is filled with homemade cleaning recipes; it's a great tool in your green cleaning arsenal.
Baking soda is perfect for scouring jobs; it gets the grime without damaging the surface. It's especially good for stainless steel sinks and porcelain. You're left with a sparkling sink and an amazing smell.
The concept of the scrub is simple. Combine ground dried herbs, spices or essential oils with baking soda, sprinkle in your sink or toilet, scrub and rinse with water. That's it!
You can make large batches of this antibacterial and sanitizing scouring powder and keep it in an airtight container in the kitchen or bathroom. I like that it looks good sitting by the sink! Then shake a bit over surfaces whenever you want—and you're left with a sparkling sink and an amazing smell!
How To Make Herbal Baking Soda Scouring Powder
—1 cup baking soda
—1 heaping tablespoon each oregano, thyme, rosemary (all loosely ground)
Step 1: Combine the baking soda, oregano, thyme and rosemary in a food processor. Pulse until the herbs are finely ground.
Step 2: Add 5 drops rosemary essential oil and pulse again. For extra stain-fighting power, add 2 tablespoons borax.
Step 3: Transfer the mixture to your container and sprinkle onto bathroom an kitchen surfaces then scrub with a damp cloth or sponge. Rinse well with water and you're good to go. Use within one year.
Cinnamon Clove Scouring Powder
—1 cup baking soda
—2 tablespoons cinnamon
—1 tablespoon whole cloves (loosely ground)
Follow instructions above and store in an airtight container.
Floral Scouring Powder
—1 cup baking soda
—½ cup dried roses (loosely ground)
You could also try a combination of lavender and rose and use ¼ cup of each. Follow instructions above and store in an airtight container.
How to make baking soda soft scrub
Baking soda is an effective scouring agent that won't hurt bathroom surfaces so you can easily turn it into a gentle 'soft scrub' by adding a squirt of liquid Castile soap.
If you need to tackle soap scum and other buildup, add ¼ sea salt for extra scrubbing and whitening power. Combine the baking soda and salt then add liquid soap until you have a paste. Apply it to stained areas and let it sit for a while to loosen up a bit before attacking with a sponge. Rinse well.
For serious cleaning, banish soap scum and stains without the harsh chemicals with this DIY bathtub scrub, made with Castile soap, baking soda, salt, washing soda, and essential oil.
