It’s time to spruce up your home for spring

The warmer weather has us flinging the drapes open, pushing up the windows and taking a deep breath of fresh air into our lungs. Yes, it’s spring, and it’s time to shake off winter’s dust and give our homes, and ourselves, a shiny makeover.

Before hitting the stores for supplies, take stock of what you’ve got at home. Some common household products, like baking soda, have more uses than you might think and can make sprucing up for spring simple and cost-effective.

“There are endless ways to use baking soda both in and outside the home,” says lifestyle expert Jill Cordes. “Be creative — use baking soda on your carpets, the bathroom floor, kitchen surfaces, your patio furniture, and even to polish your jewelry or clean residue off your fruit and vegetables naturally!”

Jill offers the following tips to help you de-grime on a dime with baking soda.

Welcome Back Outside

• Is last season’s gunk getting in the way of your first family barbecue of the season? No problem. Sprinkle some baking soda on a damp brush, scrub the area and rinse clean. For tough, greasy messes, scrub with a wire brush and a paste made from three parts baking soda to one part water and rinse.

• To tackle the patio furniture, take a cloth and wash off all the dirt and grime that has accumulated over the winter with a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water and rinse. Soon your furniture will be sparkling in the sun, inviting you to plop down for a book reading session.

• There is nothing like a cool spring breeze floating through your home. Those door and window screens you’ve been storing need a quick scrub. Dip a damp wire brush into baking soda and scrub screens clean. Rinse with a sponge or hose.

A Fresh Start Indoors

• In the fridge, throw away any food items with expired dates, strange smells or interesting colors. Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 quart of water and wipe the inside surfaces of appliances clean with a sponge and rinse. Then store the rest of the baking soda box in the fridge to help keep foods tasting fresher longer. Don’t forget to replace it every 30 days for optimal fridge freshness.

• With the growing season starting, it’s time to get cooking! Clean your food prep area with natural, food-safe baking soda instead of harsh cleaners. Sprinkle baking soda onto a clean damp sponge or cloth and wipe clean, rinse thoroughly, and then dry. This works for counters, stainless steel sinks, cutting boards, microwaves and ovens.

• Warm weather means sandals and bare feet in the house. When was the last time you gave your bathroom floors a scrub? Give them a good sweep to catch any loose debris, and then mix 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water, mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor, free of dirt and grime.

Get Your Skin Ready for Spring

• Itchy, dry skin is never in season. Add 1 cup baking soda and 1  1/4 cup baby oil to a warm bath. Your skin will be silky smooth and you’ll be ready for short sleeves and sandals.

• Open-toed sandals are the hottest spring accessory. Start your home pedicure by dissolving 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a basin of warm water and soak feet. Throw in some flower petals for added glamour. Gently scrub with a paste of baking soda to combat rough skin.

• Warmer weather means more bugs, but you can use baking soda to help relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to insect bites. Dissolve 1 to 2 cupfuls in a tub of warm water and soak for up to 1 to 30 minutes as needed, or as directed by a doctor. Pat dry. You can also apply a baking soda paste to the affected area of skin as needed.