Even if your ginger has dried out, shriveled, or started sprouting, don’t toss it away — you can transform it into a powerful natural cleaner. By combining leftover ginger with baking soda, you get an affordable, eco-friendly, and safe cleaning solution.
Ingredients
- Dried, soft, or sprouted ginger, sliced thinly or chopped into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda per cup of ginger
- Boiling water
Instructions
1. Chop the ginger into small bits.
2. Place it in a clean container, then add the baking soda.
3. Pour boiling water over the ginger and mix well to help extract the gingerol.
4. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
5. Strain the mixture and pour the liquid into a spray bottle.
And that’s it — you’ve made a simple, healthy, all-purpose cleaner!
Recommended uses:
Kitchen and stovetop grease: Spray on greasy surfaces and let it sit before wiping; the baking soda cuts through grease with ease.
Metal fixtures and faucets with mineral buildup: Spray, leave for 10–15 minutes, then scrub lightly — the baking soda removes deposits while ginger brings shine.
Spice jars: Effectively cleans away dust and grease without harsh chemicals.
Dishes and utensils: Use this natural cleaner to break down grease; it smells pleasant and is gentle on your hands.
Why does it work?
Baking soda: a strong degreaser and alkaline cleaner
Gingerol (even in dried ginger): offers antibacterial, disinfecting, and deodorizing benefits
Additional tips:
Enhance the scent: Add a few drops of lemon, lavender, or eucalyptus essential oil to the spray bottle for a more pleasant fragrance.
Disinfecting boost: On food-contact areas, you can mix in a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar after the mixture settles, then strain before use.
Tackle tough odors: For smelly areas like garbage cans, mix baking soda with half a teaspoon of lemon juice when spraying.
Prevent mold: Store the spray bottle in the refrigerator for up to two weeks; discard if it develops an off smell or changes color.
Reuse: You can reuse the ginger pieces in your trash bin as a deodorizer. Just add more baking soda and water to refresh the spray.
How to store fresh ginger:
Wrap it in dry paper towels, place it in an airtight bag, and store it in your fridge’s crisper drawer — this helps it stay fresh for several weeks.
Alternatively, slice and freeze it, then thaw only what you need.
So don’t throw away wilted ginger — with baking soda and hot water, you can create a biodegradable, budget-friendly cleaner.
Customize it with your own scents and natural disinfectants to care for your home and your health using ingredients you already have. A simple, sustainable, and effective option!
The post Withered ginger can be a real treasure — don’t throw it away! appeared first on Timeless Life.
