How to Clean With Baking Soda, According to Our Home Care Experts
This pantry staple can tackle odors, grime, and more.
Your grandmother probably used baking soda to clean her house. And while not all of grandma’s cleaning hacks hold up today, this one does. We tapped experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab for tips on how to use baking soda for home cleaning.
What makes this pantry staple so good for cleaning? It’s mildly alkaline, which means it can easily break down greasy messes. Plus, it’s gently abrasive, so you can scrub surfaces without scratching them. It also neutralizes odors, which is why it can be used for tasks like freshening up the mattress or carpet. And perhaps best of all: A box of baking soda is far more affordable than many cleaning products.
That said, baking soda can’t literally do everything. It won’t disinfect surfaces, so it’s best to use something else when you need to sanitize an area of the home. It’s also generally too abrasive to clean wooden furniture or floors, mirrors, or electronic screens and devices.
Ahead, learn more about how to use baking soda for a clean and odor-free home. For more tips on using pantry staples to tidy up, read our guide to DIY cleaning sprays and the surfaces you should never clean with vinegar.
Freshen up your mattress
If your mattress is starting to develop an odor or smell stale, sprinkle a little baking soda over the surface, brush it lightly, and let it sit between 15 to 30 minutes. Then vacuum it up with a hand vacuum.
Deodorize a carpet
Similar to a mattress, sprinkle baking soda onto the surface, leave it on for up to 30 minutes and then vacuum thoroughly. Make sure your vacuum’s dust cup is empty so it can grab the powder efficiently.
Remove buildup in an electric kettle
If you have light deposits at the bottom of your kettle, baking soda can help. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda, fill the kettle at least halfway with water, boil, turn it off, and let the mixture sit for about 20 minutes. From there, rinse the container thoroughly and wipe the prongs with a cloth.
Scrub showerhead nozzles
There's nothing worse than a showerhead spraying unevenly, or looking up at your showerhead and realizing it’s just plain gross.
Make a paste with baking soda and water, scrub the nozzles with a sponge, then run hot water to rinse them. If there is a deeper mineral buildup, a vinegar soak can further help.
Remove stubborn spots from cloudy glassware
You'd usually soak cloudy glassware in vinegar to help remove hard-water minerals. That said, if there are stubborn spots, gently rub them with a little baking soda on your fingertip. It's only mildly abrasive, so it won't scratch your glassware.
Add a few drops of water to make a paste if you are worried about scratching, then rinse and dry with a microfiber cloth.
Deep clean an air fryer
You know that burned-on residue air fryers sometimes get? Baking soda can help remove it.
Make a paste with baking soda and a few tablespoons of water. Then apply it with a soft cloth, gently scrubbing away the grime. Finally, wipe again with a dry cloth.
Tackle light grime on oven racks
Like air fryers, oven racks can also be cleaned with baking soda. Sprinkle some onto the racks, scrub with a sponge or scouring pad, and rinse well. Of course, if you have a heavier mess, oven cleaning spray is better.
Brighten grout
Make a homemade grout cleaner by combining baking soda and hydrogen peroxide until a paste forms. Then apply it to the grout and let it sit for a few minutes; after that, scrub and rinse it off. It'll require some elbow grease, but it works in a pinch.
Freshen a garbage disposal
Garbage disposals can easily develop odors. After cleaning the disposal baffle and drain area with dish soap, sprinkle baking soda into the disposal to help remove any lingering scents.
You can also add vinegar for a little foaming action, let it sit for a couple of minutes, then run cold water and turn the disposal on to flush it out.
Clean minor rust spots on stainless steel
If you've got small rust spots, dampen a cloth and dip it in a little baking soda.
Rub the cloth lightly over the stain, wipe the item clean, and follow with a stainless steel polish. Always spot test first and avoid harsh scrubbing on delicate appliance finishes.
Make a gentle surface scrub
As mentioned above, baking soda is mildly abrasive. This means it can help with minor scuffs, stains, and lifting food residue from surfaces and sinks.
Sprinkle a small amount onto a damp sponge, scrub gently, rinse, and dry. One caveat: Don't use it on extremely delicate finishes and check the manufacturer's instructions when in doubt.
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