Keep it clean

LITTLE ROCK — The many uses of baking soda

There are loads of other uses for that little box of baking soda sucking up odors in the refrigerator.

Arm & Hammer has reams (we printed it) of information on its website, including standard deodorizing tips for carpets and trash cans, extinguishing minor grease fires - wait, really? (We tend to grab an extinguisher, call 911 or just run screaming from the kitchen.)

Baking soda has its own website (armhammer.com) where you can take a virtual tour of how to use the powder to clean up inside and out.

Here are some of the tips:

Clean grills. Sprinkle some on a wire brush and start scrubbing.

Freshen ashtrays. Dump a little in the bottom and replace when you empty thetrays.

Eliminate oil spills in the garage - sprinkle on, scrub off.

Dump it down the drain. Don’t just trash the box in the refrigerator after a month, mix it with 1/2 cup of water to freshen up pipes. For declogging, pour some baking soda down the drain, then vinegar.

Brighten whites. Mix equal parts bleach and baking soda to cut back on the harsh chemical smell.

Deodorize diaper pails. Sprinkle “liberally” over dirty disposable diapers, or if you have cloth diapers soak in a solution of two quarts warm water and 1/2 cup of baking soda.

Erase marks. Use a dampsponge to rub crayon or other scuffs off walls and painted furniture. Wipe dry.

Knock out closet odors. Open a box and put in on a shelf.

Scrub coffee pots. A quarter cup of baking soda in a quart of warm water should zap most stains. For more stubborn cases, soak overnight with the baking soda solution and detergent or use the powder straight.

Shine silver. Make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Rub onto silver with a clean cloth and rinse thoroughly.

Mop up. Put a half cup of baking soda in a bucket of warm water and splish, splash.