12 Baking Soda Cleaning Hacks for Every Room

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is one of the cheapest and most useful cleaning products you can buy. It's a mild alkali and a gentle abrasive, so it scrubs without scratching most surfaces and helps neutralize odors.

In the Kitchen

1. Scrub the sink. Sprinkle on a damp sink, scrub, and rinse.
2. Clean the oven. Spread a paste of baking soda and water, leave it overnight, then wipe.
3. Remove coffee and tea stains from mugs. Scrub with a damp sponge and baking soda.
4. Freshen the fridge. Keep an open box inside and replace it every 3 months.
5. Degrease the stovetop. Use a paste on burnt-on spots (avoid abrasive scrubbing on glass).

In the Bathroom

6. Clean grout. Make a paste, scrub with a brush, and rinse.
7. Scrub the tub. Sprinkle and scrub with a non-scratch sponge.
8. Freshen drains. Pour 1/2 cup down the drain, follow with vinegar, wait 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.

Laundry and Fabrics

9. Boost your detergent. Add 1/2 cup to the wash to help with odors.
10. Deodorize shoes. Sprinkle inside shoes overnight, then shake out.

Around the House

11. Freshen carpets. Sprinkle, wait 30 minutes or more, then vacuum.
12. Clean a mattress. Sprinkle, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum.

Where Not to Use Baking Soda

• Aluminum cookware (can discolor)
• Glass stovetops with heavy scrubbing
• Marble and other soft stone (repeated scrubbing can dull it)
• Gold-plated items

FAQ

Is baking soda the same as baking powder? No. Baking powder contains baking soda plus acids. Use baking soda for cleaning.

Does baking soda disinfect? No. It cleans and deodorizes but isn't a disinfectant.