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The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning with Baking Soda

Why Baking Soda is a Cleaning Superhero

Baking soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda, is an affordable and versatile cleaning agent that deserves a spot in every cleaning arsenal. Not only is it non-toxic and environmentally friendly, but it’s also antibacterial, absorbent, and gentle on surfaces. Whether you’re tackling tough stains, deodorizing, or simply freshening up your space, baking soda is the ultimate cleaning sidekick.

Baking Soda Cleaning Hacks for the Bathroom

1. Chrome Faucet Polish: Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of water, lemon juice, or white vinegar to create a paste. Apply to chrome faucets, let sit for 15 minutes, and scrub and buff to shine.
2. Grapefruit Tub Scrub: Sprinkle baking soda on the tub and scrub with a grapefruit half to remove dirt and grime.
3. Lime Deposit Remover: Mix 1 part baking soda with 1 part white vinegar to create a paste. Apply to ceramic sinks, let sit for 15 minutes, and scrub-a-dub-dub!
4. Unclog Drains: Combine 1 part baking soda with 1 part vinegar, pour down the drain, and follow with boiling water.
5. Fresh Trash Cans: Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of trash cans to absorb lingering bacteria and odors.
6. Toilet Bowl Sparkle: Mix 1 part baking soda with 1 part hydrogen peroxide, apply to the toilet bowl, let sit for 15 minutes, and scrub and rinse.
7. Daily Toilet Maintenance: Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl daily to prevent buildup.
8. Grout Gunk Remover: Dissolve baking soda in white vinegar and apply to grout lines. Let sit for 15 minutes and scrub away deposits.
9. Shower Curtain Revival: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to laundry detergent before washing shower curtains. Set the washer to hot and add 1/2 cup of white vinegar before the rinse cycle.
10. Showerhead Cleaning: Soak showerheads in a bowl of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of baking soda for an hour.

Baking Soda Cleaning Hacks for the Kitchen

11. Stovetop Shine: Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to create a paste. Apply to the stovetop, let sit for 15 minutes, and scrub with a sponge.
12. Rubber, Plastic, and Wood Stain Remover: Soak stained kitchen items in a mixture of baking soda and water for a few hours.
13. Countertop Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda on countertops, let sit for 10 minutes, and wipe away.
14. Roasting Pan Revival: Wet cookware, sprinkle with baking soda, let sit for an hour, and wipe away.
15. Enamel Cookware Cleaner: Apply a baking soda and water paste to enamel cookware, let sit for an hour, and scrub and rinse.
16. Nonstick Pan Cleaner: Combine 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of liquid bleach, and 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a nonstick pan. Bring to a boil, wash, and reseason with cooking oil.
17. Grease Stain Remover: Mix 1 gallon of hot water, 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Wear gloves and apply to grease stains.
18. Kettle Cleaning: Fill the kettle with water and add a tablespoon of baking soda. Boil for 10 minutes, then wash with soap and water.
19. Fridge Freshener: Leave an open box of baking soda in the fridge door to absorb odors. Replace every 3 months!
20. Produce Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub fresh produce. Make sure the sponge is clean!

Baking Soda Cleaning Hacks for the Living Room and Bedrooms

21. Closet Deodorizer: Leave an open box of baking soda in the closet to absorb odors.
22. Carpet Stain Remover: Mix 1 part baking soda, 1 part salt, and 1 part vinegar to create a paste. Apply to carpet stains, let dry, and vacuum off debris.
23. DIY Spackle: Mix toothpaste and baking soda to fill small holes in walls.
24. Air Freshener: Combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 cup of water, and a few drops of essential oil in a spray bottle.
25. Tile Floor Cleaner: Dissolve 1/2 cup of baking soda in a bucket of warm water and mop as usual.
26. Dresser Drawer Freshener: Fill old socks or cloth bags with baking soda and place in dresser drawers to absorb odors.
27. Mattress Freshener: Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress, let sit for 30 minutes, and vacuum up.
28. Litter Box Odor Reducer: Add baking soda to the litter box to reduce odors.
29. Brush Cleaner: Soak brushes in a solution of baking soda and water overnight to remove dust and bacteria.
30. Ant Repellent: Sprinkle baking soda around doorways or ant trails to deter ants.

Baking Soda Laundry Hacks

31. Smelly Laundry Fix: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to laundry to balance pH levels and reduce odor.
32. DIY Fabric Softener: Use baking soda to fight hard water and soften laundry.
33. Brighten Whites: Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to laundry to remove stains and yellowing on old white clothing and linens.
34. Washing Machine Cleaner: Add 3 to 4 cups of white vinegar to an empty washer and run on hot. After a minute, add 1/2 cup of baking soda and run for another minute. Stop the cycle and let sit for an hour before restarting.

Baking Soda Body Care Hacks

35. Foot Fungus Treatment: Soak feet in a mixture of warm water, vinegar, and baking soda to combat foot fungus.
36. Teeth Whitening: Add baking soda to toothpaste to scrub off tooth stains and whiten teeth.
37. Face Mask: Mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply to the face, let sit for 15 minutes, and rinse with warm water.
38. Exfoliating Body Scrub: Mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply to dry skin, exfoliate, and moisturize.
39. Fresh Breath: Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with water and swish, swish, swish (but don’t swallow!).
40. Greasy Hair Fix: Gently rub a little baking soda into the scalp to absorb excess oil.
41. Lip Scrub: Mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply to lips, exfoliate, and moisturize.
42. Insect Bite Relief: Mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply to insect bites, let dry, and feel relief.
43. Natural Deodorant: Mix baking soda with essential oils and apply to underarms as a natural deodorant.

With these 53 baking soda cleaning hacks, you’ll be well on your way to a cleaner, fresher, and more sustainable home. Happy cleaning!