How Do You Use Baking Soda for Cleaning?

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a staple in your pantry. When this alkaline compound contacts an acid, such as buttermilk, lemon juice or vinegar, a chemical reaction occurs. This reaction results in carbon dioxide bubbles that make baked goods light and fluffy. However, baking soda’s uses extend far beyond baking. Its ability to react with acids as well as its abrasive nature make baking soda ideal for cleaning, too.

What Makes Baking Soda a Good Cleaner?

Baking soda is far more affordable than many cleaning products available at the store, and it is just as effective at some cleaning jobs. In fact, its properties make it well-suited to use as a deodorizer and a stain lifter.

In addition, as a mild abrasive, it can be used to scour and scrub surfaces that might be damaged by other more abrasive products. Unlike many cleaning products that are commonly used, however, baking soda is a safe, natural ingredient that won’t harm the environment, people or pets.

Kitchen Cleaning Applications

Many cleaning products that are commonly used in the kitchen contain harsh chemicals that you generally don’t want in the area where you prepare your food. Baking soda is a safe, effective cleaner for many surfaces in the kitchen.

Removing Stains From Dishes and Containers

If you’re dealing with dark coffee and tea stains on your mugs, baking soda will lift them right off. Sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth. Then, wipe the stain until it is gone. If you’re faced with a grease stain on a container, soak the container in vinegar and water. Then, wipe it down with baking soda and a cloth.

Oven Cleaning

Scrubbing your oven clean is much easier to do when you use baking soda. To clean the oven racks, simply soak them in a bathtub filled with hot water and some baking soda for several hours. The grime will be much easier to scrub away after the soak. You can also combine baking soda and vinegar to clean the interior of the oven more easily.

Bathroom Cleaning Applications

The cleaning and deodorizing power of baking soda is also beneficial in the bathroom. How can you clean your bathroom with baking soda?

Scrubbing Tiles and Grout

To clean tile and grout, first make a cleaning paste with baking soda and water. Then, use a small brush, such as a toothbrush, to scrub the grout lines and tile. For tough stains, let the paste remain on the tile and grout for up to 15 minutes before rinsing it off.

Cleaning Toilets

Cleaning your toilet with baking soda is easy to do. Sprinkle the powder throughout the toilet bowl. Let the toilet sit undisturbed for 15 minutes. Then, scrub the toilet as usual. For extra cleaning power, pour a cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl before scrubbing it.

Laundry Applications

Baking soda adds more cleaning power to laundry detergent, and it can lift stains and odors.

Removing Odors From Clothes

If your clothes seem impossibly stinky with sweat or a musty smell, baking soda is the answer. Pre-soak your smelly clothes in baking soda and hot water overnight. Then, launder the clothes as usual.

Enhancing Detergent Efficiency

Whether you’re trying to brighten your clothes or address bad smells, baking soda can enhance detergent efficiency with every load. Simply add a few tablespoons of baking soda to your load with the laundry detergent, and wash your clothes as usual.

General Household Use

Cleaning with baking soda in the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room only touches on some of its applications. What else can you clean with baking soda?

Carpet Deodorizing

The plush fibers in your carpet hold onto dust, pet dander, bacteria and other elements that ultimately make it dirty and smelly. An easy way to deodorize your carpet is by sprinkling a healthy amount of baking soda on it.

Let the baking soda remain in place for 15 minutes. Then, spritz a solution made with one part water and one part white vinegar across the carpet lightly. After the carpet is completely dry, vacuum the floor to remove the powder.

Polishing Silverware

If your silver is tarnished and discolored, an easy way to clean it is with baking soda. Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply it to the silver with a soft cloth, and let it sit for five to 10 minutes. Then, rinse the silver. Dry it and buff it using a clean cloth.

FAQs

What Should You Not Clean with Baking Soda?

While you can safely clean many areas of your house with baking soda, there are some areas that you should steer clear of. These include gold-plated items and electronics. You should also avoid cleaning materials like wood, glass, marble and aluminum with baking soda.

Are Baking Powder and Baking Soda the Same? Which One is Better for Cleaning?

Baking soda and baking powder are both made with sodium bicarbonate. However, baking powder already has an acid component. Baking soda, on the other hand, is pure sodium bicarbonate. Both have abrasive properties. However, baking soda is a better cleaning agent because it becomes activated when exposed to an acidic substance.

Does Baking Soda Expire?

You won’t find an expiration date on your box of baking soda. However, baking soda can become less effective over time. Generally, your baking soda will retain its properties for three years in an unopened container or six months in an open container.

Baking soda is effective for cleaning and deodorizing many areas of your home, but other cleaning products are a better option in some areas. Knowing how to clean all of the different areas of your home the right way is a challenge. Rather than struggle with housecleaning, let our pros at Cleanzen do the work for you. Learn more about maid service in Boston today.