Cleaning with Baking Soda: The
Ultimate Guide for Your Home

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 to clean your home, get rid of odors, and more. Cleaning with baking soda is easy, but this all-natural household cleaner is handy for all sorts of uses, from unclogging sinks to sprucing up your upholstery.

Why Baking Soda is a Powerful Cleaning Agent

The technical term for baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, which is a salt. Baking soda is a neutral compound formed from a positively charged ion and a negatively charged ion. While baking soda is neutral, it does contain a pH level that is higher than neutral. This unique combination of elements is what makes baking soda such an ideal cleaner. 

Because baking soda absorbs odors instead of masking them like air fresheners, it’s ideal for safe deodorizing throughout your home. Most odors are acidic, making baking soda the perfect solution for neutralizing them. Baking soda is also slightly abrasive, so it cuts through buildup, grime, and stains more easily than soap.   

Cleaning With Baking Soda in The Kitchen

Deodorize and Clean a Refrigerator

One of the most common kitchen uses is placing an open box of baking soda in a refrigerator to absorb odors. Beyond its natural odor absorption, baking soda is also a safe cleaner for nearly any surface. An easy way to clean your fridge using baking soda is to make a paste with water and scrub the walls, shelves, and drawers. Because baking soda also whitens, it does a fine job of removing stains in the fridge, too. 

Unblock Your Drains

When facing a stubborn clog in the kitchen sink, you can blast through buildup by clearing drains and garbage disposals with baking soda. All you need is white vinegar and baking soda to get the job done. Mix ½ cups of baking soda with two cups of vinegar and pour the mixture down the drain. Wait five minutes, then pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. Your drain will be cleared, plus you get a boost of deodorizing. 

Put the Shine Back into Tarnished Silver

Tarnished silver can be embarrassing when you‘re entertaining dinner guests, but who has time to scrub and shine? You do when you’re cleaning with baking soda.  Line a baking pan with aluminum foil, then add a tablespoon of baking soda, ½ cup of white vinegar, and boiling water. Put your silver in the cleaning solution and watch the tarnish transfer to the foil. Finish up by drying and then polishing your silver. 

Degrease Your Oven

Keep fires at bay by keeping your oven grease-free using baking soda. Make a paste of ½ cup baking soda and a few tablespoons of water. Wear gloves and spread the paste on the interior of the oven. Let it sit overnight as you take a much-deserved break, then dampen a rag and wipe off the grime and cleaning residue.

Kill Dishwasher Mold and Mildew

Because of the moisture and dark environment, mold and mildew can make themselves at home in a dirty dishwasher. To remove mold, dissolve a few tablespoons of baking soda in a cup of water, pour it into the bottom of the dishwasher, and run a regular cycle. To keep mold, mildew, and buildup at bay, clean your dishwasher monthly. 

How to Use Baking Soda for Cleaning a Bathroom

Clean Your Shower Curtain

Cleaning using baking soda 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, you’ll find out when you learn how to use baking soda to clean it. Make a paste out of baking soda and lemon juice, and use a toothbrush to scrub the grout. Wait five minutes, and then rinse the grout with warm water.

Clean Your Sink, Tub, and Vanity

Because baking soda is abrasive, use caution with your sink and tub hardware. However, for most vanity tops and bathtubs, cleaning with baking soda removes buildup and stubborn stains safely. Just add baking soda to a damp sink or tub. Scrub away the grime and bring back the sparkle.

How to Clean With Baking Soda In a Living Room

Refresh Your Carpet

When your rugs or carpet begin to smell less than fresh, use this household hint for baking soda to deodorize them. For stubborn stains, you may need to call in a pro. Sprinkle baking soda all over your carpet, wait 10 minutes, then vacuum up the baking soda and the odor-causing dirt.

Freshen Up Upholstery

Use this baking soda trick to clean your upholstery quickly and easily. Remove cushions and pillows, then sprinkle baking soda on the furniture upholstery, pillows, and cushions. Wait 10 minutes, then vacuum up the baking soda. 

Bonus Baking Soda Cleaning Tip: Use baking soda for cleaning and freshening mattresses. Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress and let it sit for an hour to absorb moisture and odors. Vacuum the baking soda and put on a set of fresh linens. 

The Maids: Your Go-To Resource For Safer, Healthier Cleaning

Whether you use cleaning guides like this one or invest in healthy cleaning services, The Maids®️ makes housekeeping more manageable. 

Get your free customized cleaning quote today and enjoy a cleaner, healthier home more often.