The last time you cleaned out your refrigerator, did you spy that little half-open box in the back and wonder to yourself, “What is baking soda used for besides trapping odors and baking?” Well, we can answer that. We’ve rounded up the best ways you can use baking soda for cleaning your home, getting rid of odors, and more. There are plenty of ways to clean with baking soda, but this all-natural household cleaner is handy for all sorts of uses, from unclogging sinks to sprucing up your upholstery.
How to Use Baking Soda For Cleaning a Kitchen
Unblock Your Drains
Clogged drains are the worst. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to blast through buildup by clearing drains with baking soda.
- Mix ½ cups of baking soda with two cups of vinegar
- Pour the mixture down the drain, and rinse through with boiling water
Now that you’ve cleared your sink, why not head to yoga and clear your mind?
Put the Shine Back into Tarnished Silver
Put the Shine Back into Tarnished Silver
When your in-laws descend, it’s time to bust out the silver and bring back that shine. To get your face reflecting back at you, follow these steps.
- Start by layering a sheet of aluminum foil in a baking pan.
- Add one tablespoon of baking soda and salt, ½ cup of white vinegar, and boiling water.
- Add your silver, making sure each piece is touching the foil. The water and other ingredients activate the baking soda, causing the tarnish to transfer to the foil.
- Once your silver is out of the bath, buff any remaining spots out with a polish.
Phew, crisis averted!
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Degrease Your Oven
Keep fires at bay by keeping your oven grease-free using baking soda with these easy steps.
- Make a paste of ½ cup baking soda and a few tablespoons of water.
- Strap on some gloves and spread the concoction over the interior of the oven, coating dirtier areas more heavily.
- Let it sit overnight as you take a much-deserved break.
- After 12 hours, dampen a rag and wipe out the oven.
Don’t let any stubborn spots defeat you—those kickboxing classes just paid for themselves.
Kill Dishwasher Mold and Mildew
Gasp! Just when you thought you were safe after clearing mold from deep corners of the shower, you spy a spot of the green menace creeping in your dishwasher. Squash the evil spread by dissolving a few tablespoons of baking soda into a cup of water. Pour in the bottom of the dishwasher and run a cycle. Repeat monthly to keep fungal spread at bay.
How to Clean With Baking Soda in Your Bathroom
Clean Your Shower Curtain
There are plenty of baking soda uses for cleaning in the bathroom too. A baking soda cleaning solution is perfect for removing mold and dirt from a shower curtain. You can also clean the shower curtain in the tub using baking soda and water paste. Use a nylon scrub brush to scrub away mold, soap scum, and grime. For shower doors, check out our shower door cleaning guide to get those doors sparkling again.
Clean Dirty Grout
If you’re not sure what color your tile grout should be, it’s time to find out when you learn how to use baking soda to clean it.
- Make a paste out of baking soda and lemon juice.
- Use a toothbrush to scrub the grout.
- Give it about five minutes and then rinse the grout with warm water to get rid of mildew, mold, and buildup to make your grout look new again.
Clean Your Sink, Tub, and Vanity
Because baking soda is abrasive, use caution with your sink and tub hardware. But for most vanity tops and bathtubs, it’s safe to use baking soda for cleaning buildup and removing stubborn stains. Just add baking soda to a damp sink or tub and scrub away the grime and bring back the sparkle.
Baking Soda Uses for Cleaning Your Living Room
Refresh Your Carpet
All those dirty shoes, dropped pieces of food, and dust creates a lingering odor in rugs and carpet that makes our home stink. When your rugs or carpet begin to smell less than fresh, use this household hint for baking soda to deodorize them.
- Take care of any carpet stains.
- Grab a box of baking soda and sprinkle it all over your carpet.
- Wait 10 minutes, then vacuum up the baking soda and the odor-causing dirt.
For stubborn stains, you may need to call in a pro.
Freshen Up Upholstery
Hopefully, your couch and other upholstered furniture don’t get a lot of foot traffic, but they can still get musty. Use this baking soda trick for cleaning your upholstery fast and easy.
- Remove any cushions and pillows, then sprinkle baking soda on the furniture upholstery, pillows, and cushions.
- Wait 10 minutes and use your vacuum’s brush attachment to vacuum up the baking soda and odors.
- Vacuum in the hard-to-reach areas of your sofa using a crevice tool to remove bits of food and dirt.
From removing mold to making your home smell fresh, using baking soda for cleaning couldn’t be easier. Learn more about how to make housekeeping easier with our helpful how-tos and whether you tackle the chores yourself or let The Maids take on the dirty work, we’ve got your back. See how affordable house cleaning services can be when you get your free estimate today.
