10 Ways to Use Baking Soda for Cleaning
Can you imagine getting rid of your assortment of cleaning supplies and investing in one inexpensive cleaning solution? Fortunately, you don’t have to dream any longer! Our secret to cleaning is one simple product: baking soda. We like to refer to it as “the miracle cleaner” because it’s both safe and non-toxic and is versatile in how and what it can clean.
Our cleaning specialists at Merry Maids® have been using this multipurpose solution for so long, and we thought it was time we finally let the cat out of the bag.
Why Baking Soda is Good for Cleaning
Before we jump into our list, let’s briefly discuss why baking soda is suitable for cleaning in the first place. It’s hard to believe there’s a natural cleaner that can deodorize and sanitize. In fact, baking soda is so pure that it’s been listed in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP)—a scientific nonprofit focused on building trust in global medicines, dietary supplements, and foods—since 1848. Not only is baking soda an exceptional cleaning product, but it’s useful in a few other ways.
Baking soda can also be used to:
Naturally deodorize rooms, household appliances, and clothing
Create a balanced pH level for any acidic solutions
Extinguish electrical or grease fires
Allow dough to rise similar to yeast or baking powder
Unclog drains and garbage disposals
Relieve indigestion
Baking soda’s non-toxic properties make it an ideal and versatile household product that is safe for children and pets on high-touch and food preparation surfaces.
10 Ways to Use Baking Soda for Cleaning
There is almost no limit to baking soda’s function. Don’t believe us? Let’s talk about 10 unique uses for baking soda that you may not have even known about.
1. Food Safe/Surface Safe Cleaning
Have you been under the impression that bleach was always the way to go when disinfecting food prep areas in the kitchen? Not to knock bleach—because it definitely has its place among your cleaning supplies—but baking soda is the ideal multipurpose cleaner that doesn’t leave harsh chemicals on your counters and sinks.
Cleaning Instructions
When using baking soda to clean your kitchen, simply sprinkle about half a teaspoon on a damp sponge or cloth.
Wipe your surfaces clean, rinse thoroughly, and then dry.
Remember, baking soda is safe enough that you can clean and disinfect counters, sinks, cutting boards, major and minor appliances, plastic containers, and so much more. By the end of it all, your kitchen will be the freshest space in your home—if you decide to stop there.
2. Glass-Top Stove & Microwave Cleaner
Your microwave and stove may be the most used—and delicate—appliances in your home. Harsh chemicals can cause undo wear and tear and create operational issues. It would be a bit challenging to live without these appliances, which is why it’s important to be aware of the cleaning products you use on them. To avoid unnecessary damage, use baking soda to deodorize and clean your glass-top stove and inside your microwave.
Cleaning Instructions
4 Tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of water are sufficient enough to clean both appliances thoroughly.
Wipe down the inside of the microwave and the top of the stove thoroughly.
Rinse with warm water.
For cooked-on and stubborn food stains, sprinkle baking soda directly on the spot. Take a damp sponge or cloth, scrub the area gently with the abrasive side of a sponge and wipe it away once the stain is removed. To deodorize and clean, try this method on your fridge, freezer, and other major appliances.
3. DIY Carpet Cleaner
Because carpets and rugs are such high-traffic and high-touch surfaces, they tend to collect a lot of dirt dust and retain unpleasant odors. You don’t need to lug around an expensive carpet cleaner. All you need is some baking soda!
Cleaning Instructions
Sprinkle the baking soda around the affected areas on carpets, rugs, or mats to eliminate settled-in odors.
Wait 15 minutes or longer to allow the baking soda to penetrate carpet fibers.
Vacuum thoroughly so you leave no traces of baking soda behind.
Remember, if you use this method often, clean out vacuum filters to avoid clogs. Because baking soda is made up of tiny particles, it mimics dust that can easily clog bagless vacuums. This can cause your machine to lack suction and not clean as well as it used to.
4. Drain Cleaner
Sink drains and garbage disposals are known to get obstructed by hair, soap residue, food particles, and so much more. To avoid going out and purchasing a highly toxic unclogging or cleaning agent, grab the baking soda in your pantry and call it a day!
Cleaning Instructions
Slowly pour a pot of boiling water down the drain.
Add 1 cup of baking soda.
Wait 10 minutes, and then pour more boiling water down the drain.
Turn on your faucet to ensure the drain is unclogged.
For more serious clogs, use 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar along with the baking soda, and then follow the rest of the steps for a clean and deodorized drain.
5. Delicate Floor Cleaner
Do you let scuffs and other marks linger to avoid going through the tedious task of cleaning the floors every other day? Baking soda can help you get rid of all those annoying and unsightly scrapes and sanitize your floor in the process.
Cleaning Instructions
Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on a damp sponge or cloth.
Gently rub the mark clean and rinse the spot of residue.
Dry the area thoroughly to avoid any accidents.
One thing to note is that baking soda can remove scuffs, but cannot eliminate deep scratches on your floor. Baking soda has the power to dissolve dirt and stains on tile floors quickly and easily. To get your entire floor sparkling clean, mix half a cup of baking soda in a bucket of warm water, mop the surface completely, and rinse clean.
6. Tea and Coffee Pot Cleaner
For those who can’t live without your morning coffee or tea, baking soda is going to be your lifesaver. Hard-to-scrub stains in your coffee pot or tea kettle will be a thing of the past. You’ll have better tasting morning brews by incorporating baking soda into your cleaning routine.
Cleaning Instructions
Separate all removable pieces of your coffee maker or teapot.
Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water.
Let coffee or tea components sit in the water for 5 to 10 minutes and scrub gently.
Rinse clean and air dry.
For more stubborn stains, try soaking parts overnight in a baking soda dish detergent solution. Removing stains doesn’t have to stop at your coffee maker and teapots; make your cups and mugs sparkle like new. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda on a sponge or damp cloth, scrub the stains and watch them disappear.
7. Grill Cleaner
During the summer months, you’ll want your grill to be ready for those backyard barbeques and the parties you’ll be hosting. Not only will this technique disinfect and get rid of the inevitable grease and grime on your grill, but it’ll also help your foods taste much better without all that caked on old food residue.
Cleaning Instructions
Pour a small amount of baking soda on a damp brush.
Scrub the grate using pressure to remove stuck-on food.
Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe clean.
8. Pool Toy Cleaner
If you own a house with a pool, it’s always a good idea to clean and sanitize your plastic and vinyl pool toys by removing any mildew or lingering odors. Baking soda will be your saving grace come summer when your pool is frequently being used.
Cleaning Instructions
Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda into a quart of warm water.
Use a cloth to dip into the solution.
Wipe down your pool toys and rinse thoroughly.
Ensure the toys are entirely dried before their next use, or you could have traces of baking soda in your pool.
To save time, soak smaller items in the solution for at least 10 minutes and then rinse them clean. For pool toys with hard water stains or layers of dirt and debris, sprinkle the baking soda directly on the surface, scrub gently, and rinse them clean.
9. Car Cleaner
Typically, when you’re looking to clean car parts, it’s not unheard of to pick up a harsh chemical to remove or neutralize corrosion from battery acid. Even battery acid is a mild alkali, and baking soda is strong enough to clear away some of the worst build-ups.
Cleaning Instructions
Important note: Before cleaning, please ensure you disconnect the battery terminals first.
Create a paste with 3 Tablespoons of baking soda and warm water
Apply the paste with a damp cloth to gently scrub away the corrosion.
Once cleaned, reconnect the battery terminals.
To prevent future corrosion, wipe the battery terminals with petroleum jelly.
Please be extremely careful when working around a car battery or any car parts, as they contain strong and highly hazardous materials if they come into contact with skin. Always wear gloves and protective eyewear to avoid any accidents.
10. Hair Refresher & Cleaner
Say good-bye to bad hair days for good! Not only is baking soda an ideal cleaning solution around your home, but it can benefit your hair and hair care products. Because baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive, it can help exfoliate the scalp. It won’t leave product build-up on the hair like other shampoos. Baking soda actually clarifies and helps to keep your hair dandruff-free.
Cleaning Instructions
Add about a quarter-size amount of baking soda to your favorite hair shampoo.
Wash one to two times.
Rinse entirely and condition as usual.
Remember, this method should be done sparingly as it can strip hair of its natural oils, making it dry, more brittle, and prone to breakage.
Our cleaning experts have so many more secrets we incorporate into your cleaning regimens. Contact us today for your free cleaning estimate, and let us work our magic on your home!
