Baking soda and coffee grounds — a natural way to clean your kitchen
More people are turning to a mixture of baking soda and used coffee grounds to clean kitchens and reduce unpleasant odors. The simple method helps with smells, grease stains and sink drains, though it has its limits.
Getting rid of unpleasant kitchen smells, grease and stuck-on food doesn't always require strong chemical cleaners. A simple, eco-friendly method is gaining popularity: combining two ingredients found in almost every kitchen — baking soda and used coffee grounds.
Reducing odors
Baking soda absorbs and partly neutralizes smells, while coffee has its own strong scent that can mask other odors. Placing a small bowl with the mixture in the fridge, a cabinet, or near the trash bin can help reduce unwanted smells.
Cleaning the sink drain
The mixture can also be used on drains: pour about half a cup of baking soda and the same amount of coffee grounds down the drain, then add hot water. This can help remove some greasy buildup and reduce odors, though it won't clear seriously clogged pipes.
Removing burnt food residue
Mixing baking soda, coffee grounds and a little water creates a thick paste that works as an abrasive cleaner for pots, pans, oven racks and metal surfaces with burnt-on food. Apply the paste with a sponge, leave it for about five minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Care should be taken with shiny, easily scratched surfaces — it's recommended to test the paste on a small, inconspicuous spot first, since the particles can cause fine scratches.
Traditional household remedies
In Latvia, simple household items have long been used for kitchen cleaning as well — baking soda for greasy, stuck-on dirt, and vinegar for removing limescale and other buildup. Soda, salt and vinegar remain common cleaning aids in kitchens and bathrooms today. Lemon is another helper, with its juice and halves used to freshen and clean various surfaces, while coarse salt's abrasive properties make it useful for scrubbing. However, natural remedies aren't suited to every surface — acids can damage natural stone, while soda and salt can scratch shiny surfaces.
