Did you know that baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a major ingredient in most cleaning agents? But with added color, scents and bleach, most household cleaners are unnecessarily harsh for simple tasks around the home.

This Earth Day, you can make a simple change to help the planet – just adopt baking soda as an alternative cleaning agent. Not only is it ultra affordable, it’s also amazing what this simple powder can do.

Check out just a few ways baking soda can help you save some dollars around the home, while helping you save the planet.

1. Add 1/2 cup soda to your washing machine load and cut down on your detergent. Most of us use too much detergent per load anyway, and the baking soda will fight tough stains.
2. To give your dishwasher a good clean, run it through a cycle and use baking soda instead of detergent.
3. Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon to the water in the vase.
4. Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by putting 4 tablespoons of soda in them each week. Flush the soda down with hot water.
5. Create a paste out of the baking soda using water, then apply to your face. Avoid your eyes and mouth and leave on for 3-5 minutes for smooth skin.
6. A half teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a glass of water can act as a natural mouthwash.
7. Sprinkle soda on greasy spots on your garage floor, in your fridge, on your pots and pans – wherever there’s grease stains. Let stand, scrub and rinse. You’ll be amazed how it will cut right through the grease!
8. Clean plastic, porcelain and glass with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rinse and dry.
9. To clean jewelry, use a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water, apply the mixture the piece, allow to sit for a couple of minutes, rinse off and then polish with a soft cloth.
10. Water stains come away amazingly well with just a sprinkling of baking soda and water!
11. Clean dirty combs and brushes by soaking them in a solution of baking soda and water for about 15 minutes.
12. Eliminate odor after you’ve cleaned up pet accidents by sprinkling over the dampened area with baking soda. Allow to dry and then vacuum it away.
13. A thick paste of baking soda and water applied to bug bites can provide relief.
14. Wipe your windshield with some baking soda, it acts as a great rain repellant.
15. Use it to clean your retainers, dentures. If used lightly, it doesn’t scratch dentures and eliminates strong odors.

Making this change to your life is a simple one you can do for the planet, and it’ll make you feel much better about yourself too! Just remember to keep a box of baking soda around; you never know when it will come in handy.