How to Clean with Baking Soda

Baking soda is an extremely versatile household good. In addition to cooking, it can be used in numerous ways to clean and deodorize your house and even yourself!^{[1]XExpert SourceJonathan Tavarez
Property Hygiene EnablerExpert Interview. 13 September 2019.} Whether you use it on its own or in conjunction with other cleaning products, baking soda is an excellent, cheaper alternative that can help to reduce costs.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Cleaning Surfaces

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1
Wash grout. Form a paste that is half baking soda, half water. Apply along the grout in between tiles. Let the paste soak up the dirt for about 10 minutes. Use a toothbrush to scrub the grout once the dirt has loosened.^{[2]XExpert SourceRaymond Chiu
House Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- For tiled floors, you can simply shake some baking soda over the grout and then use a spray bottle to soak it with water instead of forming a paste.
Fill a mop bucket with warm to hot water. Add at least a ½ cup of baking soda to the water. Stir to mix. Mop your floor with the solution. Rinse the mop and then mop the floor again with clean water to remove any traces of baking soda.^{[3]XResearch source}
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3
Clean counters, sink basins, and other raised surfaces.^{[4]XExpert SourceJonathan Tavarez
Property Hygiene EnablerExpert Interview. 13 September 2019.} Soak a hand towel or cleaning cloth with clean water. Dust either the cloth itself or the surface to be cleaned with baking soda. Wipe the surface in a circular motion to remove dirt and stains. Reverse from clockwise to counterclockwise (or vice versa) so that you aren’t merely pushing, say, a stubborn piece of dried, caked tomato sauce down into the countertop again and again.
- For tougher stains, create a paste. Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water. Cover the stain and let it soak up the paste for a few minutes before rubbing vigorously with a clean cloth.
Mix equal parts baking soda and water to form a paste. Apply to any areas blemished by handprints, crayons, or other dirty marks. Use a cloth to softly rub the mixture around the affected surface. Then use a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe away the paste. Reapply as needed.^{[5]XExpert SourceRaymond Chiu
House Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview. 5 November 2019.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Washing Other Household Items

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First, fill the sink (or a container large enough to fit the washer’s filter) with warm water and a dab of dish soap. Take the filter out of the washer and give it a 10-minute soak before putting it back into place. Pour a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher and then run the machine on a heavy cycle. Once the cycle ends, shake a cup of baking soda over the bottom. Let it sit overnight before running a second empty cycle. Use a toothbrush to rub away any dirt or stains that survived both cycles.^{[6]XResearch source}
Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. Spray the inside of your oven evenly. Sprinkle baking soda over the bottom. Pour some into your palm, hold your hand up to your lips, and blow to coat the walls. Pour some more into your palm and toss it upward to coat the ceiling. Allow the baking soda to mix with the vinegar for half an hour. Then use a heavy-duty sponge to scrub the insides. Wipe up the remainder with a clean cloth or paper towels.^{[7]XExpert SourceRaymond Chiu
House Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
3
Tackle dirty pots and pans. Pour some baking soda into them, add a couple drops of dish soap to each one, and fill with warm water. The amount of baking soda needed will vary depending on how much residue has crusted over, but when in doubt, use a lot for extra abrasive power. Let the cookware soak for a quarter of an hour before scrubbing and rinsing them out.^{[8]XExpert SourceRaymond Chiu
House Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview. 5 November 2019.}
- Soak cookware overnight if burnt food has scorched to it.
4
Shine your silver. First, make a paste. Stir up a 3-to-1 ratio of baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the silver. Massage the silver all over with a clean towel. Rinse off the paste with clean water and then dry immediately with a clean cloth.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Avoid scratching your silver. Always use cloth towels, never paper.^{[10]XResearch source}
5
Clean your grill. Soak your grill brush in water so that the baking soda will stick. Pour some baking soda over it to coat the bristles. Then scrub away at the grate. Soak the brush in clean water to apply more baking soda as needed. Once you are satisfied, give the grate a rinse with clean water and then wipe it down with a clean cloth to remove residue before using the grill again.^{[11]XResearch source}
- For very dirty grills, pour the baking soda directly onto the grate. Fill a spray bottle with clean water and then spray the baking soda. Allow the mixture to sink into the char for a few hours. Once the char has loosened, use your grill brush to break it up.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Doing Laundry

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1
Save on detergent. Wash clothes with a half-and-half mixture. Use only half the recommended amount of detergent for your cycle. Make up the difference with an equal portion of baking soda. Run the machine on your desired cycle.
- For tougher stains, apply a paste that is 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water to the affected area before washing.
Make your whites extra bright by adding baking soda. Use the recommended amount of bleach in your machine’s cycle. On top of that, add a ½ cup of baking soda.
Prevent one stinky piece of clothing from stinking up the rest. Sprinkle baking soda over clothes that are already inside your hamper. Then sprinkle some more over the offending article.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Treating Smells

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Dust your rugs and carpets evenly with baking soda. Use as much as you deem necessary, depending on the smell’s strength. For a quick job, allow the baking soda to absorb odors for at least a quarter of an hour (or longer if you have the time) before vacuuming. For a more thorough freshening, declare the area off-limits for the next 24 hours and then vacuum it the following day.^{[12]XResearch source}
2
Minimize the smell of garbage.^{[13]XExpert SourceJonathan Tavarez
Property Hygiene EnablerExpert Interview. 13 September 2019.} Dust the bottom of your garbage can and/or the inside of your trash liner to counteract stinky garbage. Rinse the old baking soda out with each change of the bag and reapply. Be careful not to set the old garbage bag on your floor, since it will be powdered with baking soda. However, you can clean your floor easily with a wipe of a cloth or a quick vacuum, so don’t stress out too much about it.
- Alternately, you can leave a full opened box of baking soda at the bottom of the can to avoid messy bag-changes.
Dust the bottom of the tray with baking soda for additional odor-absorption. Then fill it with your store-bought cat litter. Alternately, you can create your own litter by filling the tray with three inches of sandy clay and then stirring in an 8-ounce box of baking soda. For especially strong odors, use a 16-ounce box.^{[14]XResearch source}
Shake some baking soda over your wet pet to reduce “wet fur” and other smells when you don’t have time to give them a full bath with shampoo. Keep it light to avoid startling them with a thick cloud, or simply pour some in your palm and rub it into their fur if that is easier. Work it in with your fingers so it can trap the odors. Then use your pet’s brush to comb the baking soda out.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Washing Yourself

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1
Wash your hair. Create a paste in your palm with a tablespoon of baking soda and water from the showerhead. Apply to your hair just like shampoo. Wash and rinse to remove dandruff.^{[15]XResearch source}
- If you don’t have it in you to give up store-bought shampoo or other hair products, mix a tablespoon of baking soda with your regular shampoo every two weeks to rid your hair of product build-up.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Prolonged use of baking soda as a shampoo substitute may cause dry or damaged hair. Either alternate between baking soda and store-bought shampoo at regular intervals, or only wash your hair every few days to allow your scalp’s natural oils to revitalize your hair.
2
Whiten your teeth. Soak your brush with water. Sprinkle baking soda over the bristles until they are coated. Brush gently for a couple minutes. Gargle with clean water and spit to rinse your mouth out.^{[17]XResearch source}
- Baking soda is very abrasive and can damage your teeth’s enamel. Limit yourself to two brushes per week. Keep the pressure very light and brush your teeth softly.
- Some amount of burning or tingling is to be expected. However, if it begins to feel uncomfortable, discontinue use. Rinse your mouth repeatedly with clean water to rid it of all traces.
- Baking soda alone is not sufficient to prevent cavities or other conditions caused by bacteria. Do not use baking soda as a substitute for toothpaste.
- Do not use baking soda if you have braces, since this may damage them.
3
Deodorize your armpits. Mix ⅛ teaspoon of baking soda with just enough water so that it forms a paste. Apply it to your armpits and rub it into your pores. To form an antiperspirant that will also reduce sweating, apply a dry mix of cornstarch and baking soda in a 6-to-1 ration.^{[18]XResearch source}
- Remember that baking soda is abrasive, so don’t use it as a deodorant immediately after shaving your armpits, when they are at their most sensitive.^{[19]XResearch source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
What do you mix with baking soda to clean?
Jonathan Tavarez
Cleaning Specialist
Jonathan Tavarez is the Founder of Pro Housekeepers, a premium cleaning service headquartered in Tampa, Florida catering to residential and commercial clients across the United States. Since 2015, Pro Housekeepers uses rigorous training methodologies to ensure high quality cleaning standards. Jonathan has over five years of professional cleaning experience and has over two years of experience as the Communications Director for the United Nations Association Tampa Bay. Jonathan earned a BS in Management and Marketing from the University of South Florida in 2012.
Jonathan Tavarez
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Answer
If you’ve been having foul odors coming from any drain, you can pour a half cup of baking soda followed by half a cup of vinegar to clear it up. Once done, pour 4-6 cups of hot water down the drain.
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Question
Is baking soda good for cleaning?
Jonathan Tavarez
Cleaning Specialist
Jonathan Tavarez is the Founder of Pro Housekeepers, a premium cleaning service headquartered in Tampa, Florida catering to residential and commercial clients across the United States. Since 2015, Pro Housekeepers uses rigorous training methodologies to ensure high quality cleaning standards. Jonathan has over five years of professional cleaning experience and has over two years of experience as the Communications Director for the United Nations Association Tampa Bay. Jonathan earned a BS in Management and Marketing from the University of South Florida in 2012.
Jonathan Tavarez
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Answer
You can use baking soda for stovetop cleaning by pouring it right over any grease or grime and letting it sit for 5-7 minutes. After, wipe it away with a scrub and damp wipe. You can also use it for removing oil stains in your driveway. Just sprinkle it over the stain, scrub it with a bristle brush, and add water. You can even use baking soda to deodorize your refrigerator. Place some baking soda in a small, open, or breathable container, and it will help reduce any bad odors and keep the produce fresher for longer.
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Warnings

If the mixture gets into your eyes, splash cold water in your eyes and call a doctor immediately.
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Do not eat the cleaning agent.
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