25 Ways to Clean Your Home With Baking Soda

How much money have you spent on “state-of-the-art” cleaners and scrubbers, only to find that a precious few actually work? The truth is, you don’t need a cabinet full of products to clean your home. In fact, one of the most important essentials to keep in your arsenal is baking soda. 

This odorless white powder does so much more than liven up your cookies. It’s a truly magical (but gentle) abrasive that also serves as a natural deodorizer. Wondering how you can put this simple product to the test? Here are 25 ways to clean your home with baking soda this weekend.

Remove stains from plastic food containers.

Leftovers lingering after the wash? Sprinkle a clean sponge with banking soda or erase sauce stains in a solution of 4TBS baking soda and a quart of warm water.

Freshen up a smelly refrigerator.

Crumbs and spills have a way of making your fridge smell less than desirable. Create a paste from baking soda and dish soap. Use a scrubbing sponge then wipe away the mixture using warm water.

Scrub down your kitchen counters.

Almost everything in your kitchen can benefit from baking soda. Combine it with water and use the paste to scrub caked-on food from countertops, microwaves and ranges.

Get tough with greasy dishes and pans.

Traditional liquid soap not doing the trick? Add a sprinkling of baking soda to create an effective, but gentle abrasion. Soak in hot water and follow with a sponge to kick grease to the curb.

Liven up tired upholstery.

Is that old wingback chair smelling a little funky? Sprinkle upholstered surfaces with baking soda, let sit for 15 minutes then vacuum. You can also use this process to freshen up your mattress between seasons.

Deodorize pet bedding.

From crates to bedding and blankets, you can freshen up pet odors using the same process lined out above. Simply sprinkle, wait 15 minutes then vacuum! This is a lifesaver if you’re expecting company soon.

Make old toys as good as new.

Have small children in your household? Breath new life into toys (and disinfect them) using a sponge dipped in a gentle baking soda and water solution.

Zap away mildew from bathrooms.

A damp sponge with baking soda can be used to scrub the tub, sink, tiles and even your shower curtain! Pro Tip: Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle with baking soda and use on faucets to exchange grime for shine.

Revitalize your dingy laundry.

Did you know that both white and color loads will come out brighter if you add a 1/2 cup baking soda to your liquid detergent? It balances the pH levels to clean the clothes more effectively. It also softens the water so you can actually use less detergent!

Unclog pooling drains.

Have you noticed pooling water in the shower? Before you head to the store to buy chemicals, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain. Next, cover it with a wet cloth, wait 5-10 minutes then flush with a pot of boiling water.

Neutralize smelly sneakers.

Whether you’re an athlete or casual sneaker fan, you’ve probably noticed the grueling odors coming from your shoes. Sprinkle some baking soda inside and let them sit overnight. The next day, just tap out your shoes before wearing again.

Eliminate garbage can odors.

Last week’s dinner stinking up your kitchen? Add 1/4 cup baking soda to the trashcan in the morning. By the evening, when the trash is ready to be taken out, the moisture and odors will have been absorbed.

Dissolve oil spills in the garage.

Tired of looking at those gross oil spots in your garage or on your driveway? Pour a little baking soda on the spot and scrub with a brush to make it disappear before your eyes.

Scrub down a messy grill.

It’s grilling season! But, those crumbs and spills can quickly start attracting flies. Combat grime and grease by sprinkling baking soda on the grilling brush before scrubbing away.

Wipe down dirty patio furniture.

Before you lay out your patio furniture for the summer, give them a good wipe-down using baking soda and water. When autumn rolls around, place baking soda beneath the cushions to keep them fresh during storage.

Fight back musty linen closets.

Opening a musty linen closet isn’t the way to win over visiting houseguests. Open a box of baking soda and place it near sheets and towels to fight musty odors circulating in the closet.

Buff out water rings.

Whoops! Did someone forget to use a coster? Combine one part toothpaste with one part baking soda. Dampen a cloth and rub the mixture (with the grain) to buffer out the white ring. Then, use a dry soft cloth for a final shine.

Polish grime from ceramic stovetops.

No matter how much you clean, residue has a special way of building upon your stovetops. Create a simple paste of baking soda and warm water, spoon onto the surface and let it sit for a few minutes. This helps loosen the residue. Give it a quick spritz of vinegar and follow up with a dry cloth.

Shine up stainless steel.

Is your stainless steel sink looking a little dull? Sprinkling baking soda on a soft cloth followed with a quick rinse of warm water is a great way to bring it back to life. As a rule of thumb, avoid using chemical-based powdered cleansers. They tend to scratch surfaces which can dull your stainless steel over time.

Sanitize a front load washer.

Front-load washers are great because they require less detergent than a traditional top-loading model. However, they’re also prone to smelling funky over time. To fix this, pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the detergent cup and run a wash cycling using hot water. This helps cut through any soap scum that’s accumulated in the machine.

Clean household toilets.

Are toilet stains starting to age your bathroom? Create a mixture of 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 borax then set aside. Pour vinegar onto the toilet stain(s) then sprinkle with the cleaning mixture. Let it sit for about 20 minutes, scrub then flush it down.

Scrub away nasty grout.

Grout isn’t fun — the word itself sounds depressing. Combine a part vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. Let the solution sit for about five minutes on the grout. Next, in a small bowl, create a paste of baking soda and water. Dip a grout brush (a spare toothbrush works as well) into the mixture and scrub the grout. Follow with another spray of the vinegar solution. This will cause it to bubble up and dispel the soap scum, then follow with a rinse of warm water.

Lift stains from your carpeting.

Have a spot on your carpet you just can’t seem to get out? Sprinkle baking soda on it to wick out any excess moisture. Let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum up. Next, blot the stain with 1 cup warm water mixed with 1 TBS vinegar (working from the outside inward) then let air dry.

De-grime kitchen cabinets.

You can zap unwanted grease from cabinets with a simple scrub made from 2 parts baking soda and 1 part coconut oil. (Olive oil is another popular alternative.) Mix in a small bowl and apply it to your cabinets with a sponge or by hand. If your cabinet has fairly deep grooves, a spare toothbrush is great for those hard to reach places. 

Remove crayon marks from walls.

If you have children, you’re no stranger to surprise wall markings. If the kiddos accidentally added crayon to the wall decor, sprinkle a wet cloth with baking soda and gently wipe until it disappears. Be sure not to scrub too hard or you run the risk of affecting the paint.

Need Help Achieving that Super Deep Clean?

When it comes to all-natural cleaners, you simply can’t beat baking soda. Make your home sparkle for the weekend with these quick tips and reach out to us today at (918) 376-4114. Our team at Custom Maid can help you achieve a truly deep clean and maintain it on an ongoing basis!