magical white powder

Aug 29

Posted by: Rachel in: blog, crafty, d.i.y., family, just another day in paradise, me myself and i, ramblings, you might be a mom

It makes me feel like I can do anything!

I’m talking about baking soda people.  Jeez, where is your mind today?

Seriously, the uses for regular old baking soda never cease to amaze me!  I’ve been on a cleaning spree here lately, and the badly neglected microwave fell victim today.  I poured a small clump of baking soda in a bowl with a little bit of warm water.  Microwave for a minute, let some steam build up in there, and stuff was just wiping right off.  Amazing.

Until I looked at the neighboring toaster oven.  Can I just say, “Ew.”  It is so bad that food doesn’t even taste right coming out of there.  You open the door and the smell of ‘burnt’ just hits you in the face.  Burned what, I don’t know.  Just burned.  I scrubbed and wiped everything down, trying to avoid using chemicals.  I put everything back, but it just still wreaked.  I couldn’t see anything else in there, it looked clean.  It just didn’t smell clean. Now if you’re like me, you have that cute little box of baking soda in the back of the fridge.  It has been there for over a year (hey, did you know you’re supposed to change it every month?).  “They” say it helps absorb odors, but you have no idea whether it actually works.  Maybe you just remember your mom doing it.

So I was a bit skeptical that my microwave application might have the same wondrous effect in the toaster oven.  After all, the microwave didn’t smell this bad.  But I decided to give it a try.  I covered the tray in foil (I always do this anyway, so I don’t have to scrub all the baked on stuff) and dumped some baking soda and water on there and popped it in to bake.  I turned the oven up to 450 for 5-10 minutes.  When I returned, it had created a big ball of gas that erupted into flames and the paint was melting off the walls!

Nah, just kiddin :)   I balled up a hot cloth (so as not to crack the glass!) and wiped off the door, which now looks significantly better.  But I was amazed to find, the smell was gone.  No hint, no remnants, nothing.  Once I replaced the foil cover, I was all done!

So there’s my cleaning tip for the week.  I see you over there shaking your head.  Yep, you’re toaster is gross too isn’t it?  What’s that?  Don’t even look inside the microwave?  Your secret’s safe with me.

Comments

5 Responses to “magical white powder”

    Amber
    August 29th, 2008 2:21 pm

    You got me with the fireball and melting paint. Very funny missy. As for my gross appliances, my mom cleaned my microwave when I moved (thank god, I was dreading it!!) and my toaster was so bad I threw it away and now I just don’t have one.
    hahahahaha!!!!!!

    Julie
    August 29th, 2008 10:55 pm

    Those are some great tips! I’ve found that just heating some water it the microwave will help you wash the inside…but I don’t think it will take care of the smell. I love this because I can’t stand microwave smell! Gag! haha!

    There are a lot of great uses for baking soda! :)

    Jen
    August 30th, 2008 7:40 pm

    Julie- If you put a few lemon wedges in the heated water it takes care of the microwave smell. I saw that on some Martha Stewart-ie type show, years ago, and it actually works!

    Great tips, Rachael!

    Val
    September 2nd, 2008 2:21 pm

    Another baking soda tip….if you mix it with vinegar and two tablespoons of dish soap it will foam up and remove the skunk oil from a pet…..if they got sprayed.
    Don’t use near their eyes though!

    As for the toaster…..when ours gets gross, I throw it away and buy another! Shhhhh, don’t tell though. I get the same one so no one notices!

    Dianna
    September 2nd, 2008 8:34 pm

    Huh. I just got a new toaster oven so I’ll be sure to keep this in mind!!!

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