Sharing some great tips for cleaning nearly everything

From our Friends at Bank of Bennington
and Bob Hoesing VP of Mortgage Lending

July 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015

Got Baking Soda? There are few products as versatile and cost-effective as baking soda. While its use as a cleanser, degreaser and personal care item can sometimes be eclipsed by more expensive brand-name products, good old baking soda can be just as powerful! Baking soda has hundreds of household and personal uses. Here are just a few: KITCHEN & LAUNDRY Wash produce. To clean fruits and veggies, sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge, scrub and rinse. Soak sponges. Soak smelly, bacteria-ridden sponges in 4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water. Squeeze out excess water and then pop them in the microwave for a few seconds. The smell will be gone, and the sponge can be reused over and over. Shine silver. Mix three equal parts baking soda to one part water. Rub the mixture onto silver with a clean cloth or sponge, rinse off and towel dry. Boost liquid laundry detergent. Add a 1/2 cup of baking soda along with your usual detergent to your laundry load, then add another 1/2 cup of baking soda before the rinse cycle. This creates a better pH balance, so clothes are cleaner, smell fresher and look a little brighter. Maintain septic system harmony. Send a cup per week down the drain to help maintain a favorable pH in your septic tank and keep pipes clean, too. PERSONAL CARE Ditch the itch of bug bites. Just apply a paste of baking soda and water directly to the sore parts. Don't sweat being out of deodorant. A couple pats of baking soda under your arms will do the trick. Amp up your shampoo. Wash your hair with a little sprinkle added to your shampoo. Not only will your hair feel cleaned of hair-product residue, baking soda also fights dandruff and dry scalp. Freshen sneakers. Shake a little baking soda in each shoe to absorb odor causing moisture. Tap out excess before wearing sneakers again. IN THE GARAGE Remove oil and grease stains on your garage floor. Once a spill is safely and properly cleaned up, sprinkle baking soda on the remaining spot and scrub with a wet brush to remove light duty stains. Neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers and other equipment. Disconnect battery terminals then make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply with a damp cloth and scrub clean. Once clean, apply petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Clean car lights and chrome. You won't leave a scratch with a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. PETS Deodorize your litter box. Sprinkle baking soda beneath the litter. Or make your own litter by mixing a small box of baking soda with 3 inches of sandy clay. Clean pet teeth. A pinch of baking soda on a damp soft-bristled toothbrush will freshen that canine and feline breath. If you'd like to learn even more ways to use baking soda, check out ARM & HAMMER'sbaking soda solutions webpage for additional ideas. Sources: ARM & HAMMER, ALL YOU, Care2