Clean Virtually Anything With Baking Soda
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Did you know that you can clean virtually anything with baking soda? Baking soda can be used to clean kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, and even clothing. Its mild abrasive properties also make it helpful in tackling grime.
Baking soda is one of those humble pantry staples that is inexpensive and surprisingly versatile. It is an excellent, eco-friendly cleaning agent.
Baking soda could scratch delicate surfaces. Always test in an inconspicuous area first.
Baking Soda Mixtures:
All-Purpose Cleaner: Combine one teaspoon of baking soda, two teaspoons of vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 2 cups of hot water in a spray bottle. Shake well. Add essential oil for fragrance if desired.
Baking Soda Paste: Mix three parts baking soda with one part water to spread over a stain. Let it sit for several minutes, scrub, and rinse well.
Remove Clothing Stains: Make a paste with equal parts baking soda and water. Apply it to the stain, and soak the item in water for about 30 minutes. If the stain persists, it may need to soak longer. Then wash the garment according to the care tag for your item. This process can vary depending on the type of stain and fabric.
Remove Coffee Stains: Use baking soda and water to form a paste. Scrub it onto the stain and continue rubbing until the stain is gone. Then rinse the area with cold water and dab dry.
Cleaning The Kitchen Using Baking Soda:
Sink Cleaning: Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda in the sink. Use a damp microfiber cloth or sponge to scrub stains and areas with buildup. Rinse with cool water.
Appliances & Fixtures: For appliances and fixtures such as faucets, sprinkle baking soda onto a damp rag and buff the stainless steel to clean and brighten. Rinse well.
Dishwasher: Add a cup of baking soda, then a cup of vinegar to an empty dishwasher. Run it through a hot cycle to clean and deodorize.
Stainless Steel Sinks: Sprinkle baking soda onto a soft cloth. Rub it into the stainless steel sink, and buff it to a shine. Rinse well. This same trick can be applied to your favorite stainless steel cookware.
WARNING: Stainless steel sinks can lose their finish if exposed to bleach, acidic foods, or abrasive cleaners.
Porcelain Sinks: Sprinkle baking soda onto the sink’s surface. Add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide on top. Using a circular motion, scrub the sink clean with a sponge. Wash away the cleaning mixture with water. Then, dry the surface with a soft cloth. (Porcelain sinks are typically white and might need more frequent cleaning than stainless steel sinks.)
Clean & Deodorize Washing Machine:
Measure 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 quart of white vinegar. If you need a deodorizing washer refresh for mild odors, skip the vinegar and use baking soda instead. Add both ingredients to the drum of a top-loader.
Or add the white vinegar to the detergent dispenser and baking soda to the softener dispenser of a front-loader. Set the water temperature to hot for the longest wash cycle.
Cleaning Cookware With Baking Soda:
Cookware: Sprinkle baking soda onto the surface of pots and pans, then add a little water to make a paste. Scrub, then wash with dish soap and rinse with warm water. If it still isn’t clean, try letting the paste sit and work its magic for about 20 minutes before scrubbing it off.
Le Creuset Cookware: Fill the pot with warm, soapy water and a tablespoon or two of baking soda. Bring the water to a simmer for eight to 10 minutes. Scrub with dish soap and hot water.
Other Kitchen Uses For Baking Soda:
Tupperware: Fill stained Tupperware or other storage containers with hot water and a dash of baking soda. Let them sit overnight to freshen and fight stains.
Scrub Wooden Cutting Boards: Sprinkle the board with baking soda, scrub with a damp sponge, and rinse. This is a great way to avoid cross-contamination if you typically use one cutting board for a variety of foods.
Clean Floors:
Floor Grout: Make a paste of 3/4 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tablespoon of mild dish soap. Apply the paste to the grout with a grout brush and scrub.
Remove Scuff Marks On Floors: For persistent scuff marks, baking soda can work wonders. Create a paste by mixing baking soda with water until it forms a thick consistency. Apply the paste to the scuff marks and let it sit for a few minutes. Then scrub gently with a soft brush or an old toothbrush.
Hardwood Floors: Baking soda is an effective tool for cleaning hardwood floors. Make a baking soda and water cleaning solution to mop your hardwood floors.
Everyday Carpet Cleaning: (Test for color fastness) Sprinkle baking soda lightly all over the carpet or area rug (carpet should be dry). Use a heavier amount on high-traffic areas such as hallways, walkways, or in front of the couch.
Let the baking soda sit on the carpet for 15 minutes. Vacuum the carpet as you usually would. Bonus: the baking soda keeps deodorizing in your vacuum cleaner bag or canister!
Cleaning The Bathroom With Baking Soda:
Bathroom Surface (Tub, Tile, & Sink): Sprinkle baking soda lightly on a clean, damp sponge. Then scrub the bathroom surface (tub, tile, sink) that needs cleaning. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry.
Toilet: To clean the toilet bowl, scoop two tablespoons of baking soda or borax into the bowl. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then scrub it with a brush.
Shower Head: Combine 1/3 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of white vinegar in a gallon-sized plastic bag with a zipper. Place the showerhead in the bag and submerge it in the mixture.
Secure the bag with a rubber band around the showerhead’s neck. I let mine sit overnight for the best results.
Eliminate Odors & Freshen:
Trash Cans: Combat odors by sprinkling a bit of baking soda inside. You can also mix it with water and use it as a spray to clean and deodorize the inside.
Remove Odors In Carpet: Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum it up.
Smelly Garbage Disposal: Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda into the garbage disposal, then run hot water. If your disposal continues to smell, repeat or add ¼ cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz for 5 minutes, then run hot water.
Freshen Laundry: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle of your washing machine. In addition to helping eliminate sour odor, baking soda softens stiff or crusty towels, keeping them fluffier and newer.
Freshen Drains: Sprinkle in baking soda, then add vinegar. Then flush with hot water to help clear minor buildup and odors.
Deodorize Cat Litter Box: Sprinkle baking soda on top of your litter to help absorb odors and extend the time between changes.
What NOT To Mix With Baking Soda:
What should not be mixed with baking soda for cleaning purposes?
Don’t combine baking soda with ammonia, bleach, alcohol, or chemical cleaners. Chemical reactions from the combinations can cause dangerous fumes.
Baking Soda is amazing! The equally amazing and versatile John Hartford wrote a great song about the many uses of baking soda. Here are the lyrics:
Well hooray for baking soda ain’t it neat
And cheers for national baking soda week
For folks that’s young and folks that’s old
why carbonated soda will cure that cold
It cleans your teeth and prevents the flu
And you can use it in your car battery too
It puts out fire of fat or grease
Pass the baking soda please
Now if your biscuits, cakes or pies
Absolutely refuse to rise
Get the stuff that’s always slick
That baking soda it does the trick
And if you’re feeling far from placid
From an over excess of stomach acid
Just step right up and yell don’t stammer
Get a big mess of that Arm & Hammer
And if you cannot clean your dentures
With any other commercial ventures
From Portland Maine to North Dakota
Smart folks dunk in baking soda
But beware your fun you botch
This ain’t the kind you mix with scotch
Haha! That’s a clever and cute song!
Thank you Brenda, this is so helpful. I’m tired of buying cleaners that sometimes don’t work or they could be harmful.
I will definitely try it on grout on my kitchen floor.
It’s amazing something so cost effective can do such a good job of cleaning and deodorizing. I’ve never tried it on hardwood floors, but it does work on dirty (floor tiles) grout from high traffic areas. I haven’t found it to be particularly good at removing mold and mildew from shower grout, so if anyone knows how to clean that, I’d love to know what people have found that actually works well! But I’ve used baking soda and vinegar many times for cleaning different things, and it’s worked well for me.
For me too.