45 Clever Ways to Clean with Baking Soda
Updated: Jul. 20, 2023
From the kitchen to the bathroom to the garage, discover the surprising ways people are cleaning with baking soda—and they actually work!
Baking soda is an essential ingredient in whipping up fluffy pancakes, quick breads and perfect cakes. But did you know it works wonders cleaning around the house, too? This gentle, non-toxic pantry staple is a powerhouse when it comes to removing oil stains, cleaning your kids’ toys, and even freshening your breath. (Try these other natural homemade cleaners, too.)
Whether you’re diving deep into spring cleaning or tidying up an everyday mess, a box of baking soda will be your new best friend. Best part? It’s a wholesome, homemade alternative to the expensive stuff you get at the store. Freshen your household inside and out with our must-know ways to clean with baking soda.
Make sure you know the difference between baking soda and baking powder and grab the right box for these projects!
Baking Soda Uses in the Kitchen
1. Trash Can Deodorizer
Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into the trash can once a week to help absorb odors.
2. Stainless Steel Sink Cleaner
Make a paste of baking soda and white vinegar. Soak paper towels in solution and wipe down the sink.
Psst! Check out the germiest places in your home to know where to get started.
3. Stovetop Cleaner
Pour baking soda directly onto a grimy surface and let sit for 5 minutes. Wipe with a damp sponge, scrubbing gently. Wipe your stovetop clean with a soft cloth.
4. Non-Self-Cleaning Oven Cleaner
Clean with vinegar by mixing 1 cup white vinegar with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a spray bottle. Spray the bottom of the oven. Let sit for 10 minutes, then sprinkle baking soda on top. Let sit for 10 minutes and wipe clean.
Out of baking soda? These other homemade cleaners work for cleaning an oven, too.
5. Fruit and Veggie Wash
Mix water, baking soda and lemon juice together. Wipe fruits and veggies with mixture to remove wax.
6. Silverware Polisher
Make a paste with 3 parts baking soda, 1 part water. Rub paste onto silverware with a clean cloth. Rinse and dry.
Here’s how to polish your grandma’s heirloom silver in 5 minutes flat.
7. No-Wax Floor Cleaner
Mix 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water. Mop the floor and rinse with clean water. Learn how to make a homemade floor cleaner.
8. Microwave Cleaner
Help remove stuck-on food by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and scrubbing residue. We’ve curated a list of crafty cleaning hacks to have your kitchen sparkling!
9. Dishwasher Cleaner
Sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of your dishwasher and run as usual to help freshen and remove stains. Did you know you can clean all these things in a dishwasher?
10. Garbage Disposal Refresher
Pour baking soda slowly down the garbage disposal drain while running warm tap water.
11. Cutting Board Deodorizer
Sprinkle a cutting board with baking soda, then scrub and rinse. (Use a disinfectant for cleaning.)
12. Dishrag Deodorizer
Soak smelly dishrags in a bucket of warm water and baking soda.
13. Sponge Cleaner
Soak smelly sponges in 4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water regularly. If you really want to disinfect them, try these other methods for cleaning a sponge.
Baking Soda Uses in the Bathroom
14. Soap Scum Remover
Sprinkle a wet rag or sponge with baking soda and rub on sinks and bathtubs to remove stubborn soap scum.
15. Shower Grout Cleaner
Make a paste of lemon juice and baking soda. Brush paste on grout lines with a toothbrush. Let sit several minutes and wipe off. Alternatively, you can mix 1/2 cup bleach with 3/4 cup baking soda and apply in same manner. Just make sure you’re aware of the household cleaning products you should never mix.
16. Shower Curtain Cleaner
Are you cleaning your shower curtain enough? It’s easy! Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge, scrub curtain and rinse off with clean water.
17. Comb and Brush Cleaner
Soak combs and brushes overnight in a cup of warm water mixed with 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
Baking Soda Uses in the Bedroom
18. Closet Freshener
Keep musty smells at bay by placing an open box or small glass jar of baking soda on a closet shelf.
19. Drawer Freshener
Fill an old sock or small cloth bag with baking soda and place in a drawer to absorb odor.
20. Mattress Deodorizer
Vacuum mattress first. Sprinkle baking soda over the surface and let it sit 30 minutes. Vacuum thoroughly.
Baking Soda Uses Outdoors
21. Oil Stain Remover
To remove pesky oil stains from your driveway or garage floor, sprinkle baking soda over the stains and scrub with a stiff-bristle brush. Find out how to get oil out of clothes with a few simple products.
22. Lawn Furniture Cleaner
Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1 quart warm water. Wipe down, rinse and allow to dry.
23. Grill Cleaner
Sprinkle baking soda on the grill grates and scrub with a brush. Rinse and wipe clean. Here’s how to clean your grill without a wire brush.
24. Chrome Polisher
Make a paste of baking soda and water. Wet clean cloth with paste, rub on chrome and wipe off. Rinse and dry.
25. Bug Repellent
To keep cockroaches and ants at bay, sprinkle a line of baking soda along basement windows and doorways.
26. Weed Control
Generously sprinkle baking soda onto your driveway and sidewalk cracks to help discourage weeds. All these other pantry ingredients will help your garden grow too.
Baking Soda Uses for Pets
27. Litter Box Deodorizer
Mix a generous amount of baking soda into the kitty litter box to help cut down on odor.
28. Pet Bedding Deodorizer
To cut down on musty pet odor, sprinkle bedding liberally with baking soda. Wait at least 15 minutes and vacuum thoroughly.
Baking Soda Uses for General Purposes
29. Drain Cleaner
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda followed by 1/2 cup vinegar down the drain. Let fizz. Pour 6 cups of hot water down the drain. Learn how to make a homemade drain cleaner.
30. Carpet Stain Remover
Mix 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup salt and 1 cup white vinegar into a paste. Apply to the stain and allow to dry. Vacuum. (Gum on the carpet? Try these tips that’ll get gum off of anything.)
31. Rug Deodorizer
Sprinkle the rug with baking soda and let it sit for 15 minutes. Vacuum thoroughly.
32. Toy Cleaner
To refresh your kids’ toys (which are one of the dirtiest things in your home), dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart warm water. Pour mixture into a spray bottle and spray toys. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
33. Small Hole Repair
No spackle? Make a paste of white toothpaste and baking soda. Fill holes in the wall with mixture, smooth over and allow to dry.
34. Water Spot Remover
Make a paste with baking soda, water and toothpaste. Apply the paste with a soft cloth to wood and rub away rings and spots.
35. Vacuum Cleaner Odor Remover
Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet and vacuum up to help remove odors inside your vacuum cleaner.
36. Marble Cleaner
Dissolve 3 teaspoons of baking soda in a quart of warm water. Wet a clean cloth with the mixture and wipe down marble.
37. Laundry Brightener
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a load of laundry to boost colors and help fight stains.
38. Air Freshener
Mix water, baking soda and a drop of your favorite essential oil together to make a room spray.
39. Sterling Silver Jewelry Cleaner
To remove tarnish, line the bottom of a dish with aluminum foil (shiny side up). Dissolve 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 cup boiling water (the solution may bubble). Place your jewelry in the dish, making sure it’s touching the aluminum foil. Pour the solution into the dish. Let it sit for 2 to 10 minutes. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth. Make sure silver is completely dry before storing.
Baking Soda Uses for Personal Use
40. Shoe Refresher
Sprinkle baking soda inside shoes after wearing or make sachets with baking soda and tuck them into shoes. (You might want to ban wearing shoes in the house overall.)
41. Mouth Freshener
To combat bad breath, mix 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. Gargle, swish, spit and rinse.
42. Exfoliating Scrub
To brighten skin, mix a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part warm water. Gently rub onto face using a circular motion. Rinse. Apply this paste to heels and elbows to smooth skin.
43. Foot Soak
To soothe tired, achy feet, dissolve 3 teaspoons of baking soda in a warm bath. Soak and gently scrub feet.
44. Chlorine Remover
Too much time at the pool? Rinse your hair with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 pint water to remove dullness caused by too much chlorine.
45. Toothpaste
A dab of coconut oil with baking soda can clean your teeth just as well as the bright blue stuff you’d get at the store.
Originally Published: July 25, 2018
