30 Cleaning Hacks with Baking Powder

Cooktop Cleaner

No matter what type of cooktop you have, it’s probably one of the most difficult surfaces to clean in your entire home. You can easily get rid of the stains on your cooktop by simply sprinkling baking soda all over its surface, and then gently rub it into a paste with a warm, soapy cloth. Give it some minutes before rinsing it with warm water.

Carpet Cleaner

To clean spills from your carpet, simply shake baking soda all around the spill, leave for 10 to 15 minutes, gently scrub the area for tough stains, and then pour vinegar on top. Allow the vinegar to dry, and then vacuum to remove the excess baking soda. For mild stains, place a towel over the area once it stops fizzing, and press to dry it up a bit.

Tile/Grout Cleaner

To clean your tile or whiten your grout simply mix baking soda into a paste with some water, scrub it into your tile and grout, and let it sit awhile before scrubbing it off. The gritty texture allows the baking soda to penetrate deep into those annoying, hard-to-reach areas of the grout while at the same time busting through built-up soap scum and mold on your tub. For extra cleansing power, spray with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water before rinsing.

Hairbrush and Toothbrush Cleaner

Your hairbrushes need regular cleaning to avoid product buildup and to ensure that they last long and remain in good condition. And it’s so easy to clean your hairbrushes, just remove any excess hair from the brush, and then soak it in a solution of baking soda and water for an hour. And your hairbrushes will be as good as new. For your toothbrushes soak them in a solution of water and baking soda overnight and rinse in the morning.

Jewelry Cleaner

Baking soda is a great way to polish silver and gold jewelry, if your silver or gold jewelry is dirty, try gently rubbing it with a thick paste of baking soda and water to get it all cleaned again. Just be sure to avoid using baking soda on delicate gems, since it can scratch their fragile surfaces.

Clean the Kitchen Sink

Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the sink. Use a scrub brush or sponge to gently scrub the surface with the baking soda and rinse with clean water. You can also add lemon oil to it for a lemon scent.

Clean and Brighten Enameled Pots

The inside of enameled pots may look can quickly go from white to brown as a result of the heat.

To clean the inside of your enameled pot, simply fill the pot with water, add 1/3 cup of baking soda, bring the water and baking soda to a boil, and then turn off the heat. After about 30 minutes, pour away the dirty water, sprinkle the inside of the pot with more baking soda, scrub the surface with a textured sponge, and then rinse with fresh water.

Grease Cleaner

To get rid of grease simply create a paste of baking soda mixed with water, and give everything a good scrub-down and then rinse with water to remove the residue.

How to Get Rid Of Household Smells With Baking Soda

Baking soda is very good for getting rid of household smells and great for use on pet litter trays. Lay down a layer of baking soda in the pet litter tray, before sprinkling it on top of the litter to help keep the smell at bay.

Mattress Cleaner

It’s so easy to refresh your mattress by lightly sprinkle baking soda onto a mattress without the sheets. Wait for around half an hour, before vacuuming it. The baking soda draws out odors and icky dust mites, allowing you to vacuum them away.

Wall Cleaner

There’s an easy and inexpensive way to clean your wall using baking soda. You can either mixed baking soda with water to form a paste, and then use to scrub away wall stains. Or you can sprinkle a wet cloth with baking soda and then gently wipe the down the wall with the cloth to remove the stains.

How to Clean Fruit and Vegetable using Baking Soda

You can take the mud and waxy coating off your fruit and vegetable by sprinkling a small amount of baking soda on a damp sponge, rubbing it gently all over your produce to clean it, and then giving it a thorough rinse in cold water.

How to Clean Pots And Pans With Baking Soda

Pan cleaning is easier with baking soda! Remove baked-on food residue from a heavy cooking session by shaking a generous amount of baking soda onto your pots and pans. Add some hot water and washing up liquid, and leave to soak for at least 15 minutes before washing it off. Shake a generous amount onto any dirty pans or roasting tins, add hot water, a squirt of your usual cleaning liquid, and let sit for 20 minutes. The baking soda will help dissolve any stubborn build-up, making it really easy to clean.

Pet Bed Cleaner

Pet beddings can be quite challenging to keep clean, and the smell often seems to permeate your whole house. To clean your pet’s beddings, just sprinkle baking soda on them, and then vacuum them thoroughly. After some minutes (between 20-30minutes) to remove excess baking soda. Do this regularly to keep your pet’s bedding fresh always.

How to Clean Children’s Toys With Baking Soda

Freshen up your kids’ toys that have become musty and dusty by putting them in a large plastic bag with 100g of baking soda. Make sure the top is tied up and take it outside for a good shake. The baking soda will help to draw out the dust. Complete the makeover by removing the toys from the bag and giving them a gentle vacuum.

Washing Machine Cleaner

Baking soda makes a perfect natural cleanser for your washing machine, and yes, today’s washing machines require much more frequent cleaning than you know, especially the front-loading model. To clean the inside of your washing machine using baking soda, start a large, hot load without any clothing, in your washing machine, and add both baking soda and vinegar to power away buildup and smelly mildew.

How to Clean Patio Furniture with Baking Soda

If you are about to bring your patio furniture out of storage to get it ready for summer, spruce it up with a wipe down of baking soda and water on a cloth. If the soft furnishings that go with your outdoor furniture smell a bit musty after spending winter in the shed, sprinkle baking soda on them, leave for at least 15 minutes, and then vacuum gently.

Cleaning the Fridge

Regularly cleaning the fridge with baking soda helps take care of most odors, because baking soda helps to neutralize odors. Clean and freshen your fridge with baking soda by wiping over the shelves and walls with a soft, damp cloth dipped in baking soda before rinsing it with warm water. You can also make your own fridge deodorizer using baking soda and store it. To make your very own fridge deodorizer using baking soda, simply combine one cup of baking soda and a few drops of lemon essential oil in a storage container. Store the container in the fridge. Remember to create a new deodorizer after one month and pour away the old one.

Deodorize and Freshen Toilets

You can get rid of any odor from the toilet by sprinkling baking soda around the interior of the toilet bowl, allow it to sit for some minutes and use a toilet brush to scrub away stains and then flush. You can also mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda, for a fresh lemon scent.

Over time, your sofa may become a bit smelly. Just sprinkle some baking soda onto the sofa and let it sit for 10-20 minutes before brushing off.

Deodorize and Freshen Garbage disposals

Sprinkle baking soda mixed with a few drops of your favorite essential oil (optional) on the bottom of your garbage disposal to keep odors away. Or you can slowly pour baking soda down your garbage disposal, simultaneously running warm water while the disposal’s on.

While you are in the bathroom, you can remove stubborn mildew stains on tiles and shower curtains with a damp sponge and baking soda.

Deodorize and Freshen Sneakers

Sprinkle baking soda in your sneakers, let it rest all night, and shake it out in the morning. The odor-neutralizing powder will naturally get rid of the stinky odor.

Baking soda can effectively remove stains in your mugs and help return them to their former glory. Just be prepared to put some elbow grease into it! Sprinkle some baking soda on a clean sponge and scrub for about 5-10 minutes to lift stains and reveal a good-as-new mug.

Baking soda works wonders at absorbing smells – soak sponges in a bowl full of warm water with 4 tablespoons of dissolved baking soda. Let them air dry and they should smell like new.

Deodorize Wooden Cutting Boards

Sprinkle baking soda onto a wooden cutting board, scrub the baking soda over the surface, and rinse with fresh water. You can also mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda.

Clean the Bottom of the Oven

Sprinkle baking soda over the bottom surface of your oven, and then spray the surface with water. Allow the wet baking soda to sit for a few hours, and then use a textured sponge to scrub away the build-up. Wipe the surface with a wet cloth, until the surface is clean.

Make a Multi-purpose Cleaner

You can make your own homemade multi-purpose cleaner using one cup of baking soda, vegetable glycerin, a half cup of castile soap, and a few drops of an essential oil.

Unclog Drains

Drain-O is not the only option when it comes to unclogging drains, you can also use baking soda. To use baking soda, first remove any drain stops or plugs, pour a half cup of baking soda down the drain, and then pour in a cup of vinegar and quickly cover the drain to keep that fizz going. Once that stops, repeat the vinegar step and then keep it covered, letting the mixture sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Lastly, pour a gallon of boiling water into the drain, and that’s it!

Home-made Fabric Softener

Oftentimes fabric softeners can be laden with not-so-good-for-you chemicals. Unsurprisingly, baking soda can take the place of this too. Just add one cup of baking soda to the wash cycle to soften the clothes.

How to Clean a Microwave with Baking Soda

Clean the interior and exterior of your microwave by wiping it over with baking soda, using a clean, damp sponge that has been dipped in warm water and wrung out, before rinsing thoroughly. A small amount of baking soda on a damp sponge can effectively clean any grease in\on your microwave. If you’ve got a lemon and some vinegar to hand, you can give your microwave a deep clean

Additional Tips on Cleaning Hacks with Baking Soda

1. You can clean the entire gunk off your glass cook top by mixing baking soda, soap, and hydrogen peroxide.

2. You can get rid of the entire residue from your iron with a little baking soda and vinegar.

3. Get rid of accumulated grease on your kitchen cabinets by making a very simple baking soda scrub.

4. You can only fix minor clogs and clean your sink with baking soda, vinegar, and hot water.

5. Eliminate oven grossness with baking soda and soap.

6. Use baking soda on your stainless steel for a deep cleaning.

7. Revive your cookware with some baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

8. When cleaning stainless steel avoid harsh chemicals and make sure the baking soda is dissolved in the water so it doesn’t scratch, and use it with a soft cloth.

9. Make your slow cooker clean itself with a little help from our versatile friend, baking soda. All you need to add is baking soda, vinegar, and water.

10. Easily get rid of mattress odors by sprinkling baking soda on it.

11. Soak your nails in hot water, baking soda, and peroxide to remove the stains nail polish remover leaves behind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Can I Buy Baking Soda?

Most supermarkets will sell baking soda or bicarbonate of soda in the baking section. It can come in different packaging, including tubs or boxes.

How Baking Soda Cleaning Work?

Baking soda is a super-effective but gentle abrasive cleaner and natural deodorizer. Baking soda is not just a leavening agent in cooking; it’s also a form of salt that causes dirt and grease to dissolve in water, as well as being brilliant at absorbing odors.

How Much Baking Soda Do You Need for Cleaning?

That tiny tub of baking soda that you have on your kitchen shelf won’t last you very long once you start to reach for it every day, so look online for a larger, money-saving quantity, specifically for cleaning purposes

Are There Any Other Uses for Baking Soda?

Yes! Baking soda also has a whole range of health and beauty benefits.

Can You Mix Baking Soda with Vinegar to Clean?

In addition to tackling so many cleaning and freshening tasks both inside and outside your home, when it’s combined with white wine vinegar, the solution produce a fizzy chemical reaction that works wonders in the kitchen and bathroom.

Is Baking Powder the Same Thing as Baking Soda?

Baking soda and baking powder might sound like the same thing, especially given that baking soda can also go by bicarbonate of soda, but they’re very different.

Baking powder is baking soda but with an additional acidic ingredient. Because of the additional acidity, baking powder is not suitable for use in any of these beauty treatments.

Is Washing Soda the Same as Baking Soda?

Although the two are very similar, they are not to be confused for the same product. Washing soda is sodium carbonate with additional cleaning ingredients. You can make your own washing soda by heating baking soda. Simply spread onto a shallow baking dish and heat at around 200C. Once cool, you can keep it in an airtight container.

How to Make Your Homemade Bathroom Cleaner

Bathroom cleaners are some of the harshest chemicals out there; baking soda can do a lot better than them, with just a little elbow grease. Mix a ¼ cup of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent and add some vinegar to give it a nice thick consistency. Use a sponge with a large dollop of this homemade cleaner on all your bathroom fittings and you’ll never need to buy bathroom cleaners again.

What Can’t You Clean with Baking Soda?

Aluminum cookware will discolor if bicarbonate of soda is allowed to sit on its surface for too long, so if you do use it, rinse it off quickly.

Antique silver: Despite the fact that baking soda is good for removing tarnish from silverware, some jewelers advise against using it on antique silver because it can be too abrasive on items that aren’t made from sterling silver.

Jewelry: don’t use it on any jewelry decorated with inset jewels such as turquoise or pearls.

Gold-plated items: If you have any dinner services with a gold rim or gold accents, bear in mind that gold is a soft metal and is easily scratched – even with a light abrasive like bicarbonate of soda.

Marble surfaces: Stone manufacturers don’t recommend using baking soda as a marble cleaner, because repeated applications can cause the sealant to wear away.

Does Cleaning with Baking Soda and Vinegar Work?

The short answer to this question is yes, and no. Baking soda is a base, and bases want a proton; vinegar is an acid, and acids have a proton they want to get rid of. The fizzy chemical reaction you see when you mix baking soda and vinegar is the exchange of those protons, producing carbon dioxide in the form of bubbles and leaving water behind. The fizzing action can help dissolve gunk and messes, making them easier to wipe away. In addition to using the chemical solution for cleaning purposes, you also have the option of using baking soda and vinegar, each separately to clean the same item.

What To Clean With Baking Soda And Vinegar

Clean Your Shower Head

If you live in an area with hard water, it’s nearly impossible to avoid getting limescale and mineral buildup on your shower head over time. But baking soda and vinegar can take care of it overnight!

Place your shower head into a big ziplock bag, and pour in enough white vinegar to cover it. Seal the bag and let it sit overnight. In the morning, remove the shower head and sprinkle some baking soda over the surface. Use an old toothbrush to give the shower head a good scrub, then rinse it clean. For more information about cleaning your bathroom with vinegar, check out the link below!

Clean Your Toilet Bowl

Spray the inside of your toilet bowl with white vinegar until it’s completely wet. Then sprinkle a good amount of baking soda onto the wet surface, spraying a bit more vinegar if necessary to start the reaction. Wait a minute or two, then scrub the toilet bowl thoroughly with a toilet brush.

Remove Pet Stains from Carpet

Use baking soda and vinegar to remove pet stains from your carpet! Dampen the spot with vinegar, and then sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the top. Leave the spot alone until the baking soda and vinegar have dried completely, then vacuum the spot thoroughly. The stain and the smell will be gone!

Clear Clogged Drain

The fizzing reaction of baking soda and vinegar can help you clear out a clogged drain. Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes. After waiting, boil a kettle of water and dump all of the hot water down the drain to flush out the loosened clog.

Add Them to Laundry

Baking soda and vinegar both make valuable additions to your laundry routine. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda over your clothes before starting each wash load to help brighten colors and soften hard water. Then add 1 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle to soften the fabric and remove odors!

How to Clean an Oven with Baking Soda and Vinegar

Avoid those oven cleaners packed full of powerful, harsh chemicals by using baking soda to clean out your oven:

1. Remove all racks and trays for separate cleaning.

2. Use a bowl to mix bicarbonate of soda and water until you achieve the consistency of a spreadable paste.

3. Spread the paste all over the walls of the oven but avoid the heating elements.

4. For best results, leave overnight.

5. Wipe the oven walls clean with a damp cloth, removing as much baking soda as you can.

6. Use a spray bottle to squirt white wine vinegar onto the oven walls.

7. Wait for the foaming reaction when the vinegar comes into contact with any residue of baking soda and then wipe it off with a damp cloth.

8. Clean the racks and trays with a similar method by sprinkling baking soda on them and then spraying them with vinegar. Once the foaming reaction has occurred, soak them in hot water for a while to loosen the baked-on grime before scrubbing it off.

What Is Baking Soda?