Category: Hygge

An article in the Express caught my eye writing about things you should never clean with Baking soda.

We all know Baking soda is great as a multi-purpose cleaner, and you can use it when you cook, to heal ailments, clean the house and even during arts and crafts for your children.

But there are some instances where baking soda isn’t the answer, and it actually causes more harm than good. While it can definitely pay to have a tub of bicarbonate in the kitchen or bathroom cupboards, steer clear of using it on these household products and fixtures.

One thing it is good for is stains and Arm and Hammer explain on their website that six tablespoons of Baking soda can be mixed with a third of a cup of warm water to make a pre-treating paste for stains. Test the paste on a small area of the garment first to make sure it doesn’t get damaged by the paste, then rub the paste onto the stain. Let the paste dry and put the garment in the washing machine.

But do no use it cleaning mirrors or windows as is an abrasive cleaner, which could then scratch them.

Also do not use on wood as it can be too hard on some finishes or sealants on wooden furniture. Using the powder for cleaning can also wear away the sealant, which could ruin your furniture.

Never clean your gold lined dishes or gold utensils with baking soda. Once again, the reason for this comes down to baking soda’s abrasiveness.

You should also never use baking soda to clean any marble or quarts surfaces, including countertops. Over time, baking soda will damage the upper protective layer and eventually leave scratches on the marble or quartz.

A little bit of history about Baking Soda and Arm & Hammer – In 1846 John Dwight and his brother-in-law, Dr. Austin Church develop Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda) as a leavening agent for home-baked goods. John Dwight & Company is formed to manufacture and distribute the product.

In 1865 Dr Church leaves John Dwight & Company to open his own Baking Soda company with his two sons, James Austin Church and Elihu Dwight Church.

In 1867 Church & Company is formed to meet the growing demand for Baking Soda. The ARM & HAMMER™ trademark, symbolizing the strength of baking soda, shows the arm of Vulcan, the roman god of fire, bringing down his hammer on an anvil.

In 1876 John Dwight, looking for a memorable trademark for his packaging chooses Lady Maud, a prize winning Jersey Cow. The cow is a reference to traditional use of Baking Soda and sour milk in home baking. Consumers eventually begin to call it COW BRAND.

In 1907 almost a century ahead of it’s time, the company institutes the use of recycled paperboard to package household products.

In 1927 the first full-page colour magazine ads promote the purity of ARM & HAMMER™ and COW BRAND Baking Soda for multiple kitchen and personal care issues.

In 1960 new uses for Baking Soda were developed and tailored to changing post-war lifestyles. The multi-use Baking Soda wheel was created to familiarize consumers with the product’s versatility.

In 1986 for it’s 100th anniversary on July 4th, the Statue of Liberty’s inner copper walls are cleaned with sodium bicarbonate, which removes 99 years of coal tar without damage to the copper. More than 100 tons of sodium bicarbonate are used in the restoration.

Baking Soda is now found in nearly every kitchen in the USA, regarded as a necessity by millions of consumers.

Of course, Baking Soda is no longer confined to the kitchen. It is used throughout the house, in every phase of housekeeping and personal hygiene. ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda, which was first prepared in a New England village, now is used the world over.

Source : Express Arm & Hammer