The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning with Baking Soda: 13 Practical Uses
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Baking soda is one of those miracle ingredients that can be used in so many ways.
It’s cheap, effective, and works amazingly well for deodorising and light scrubbing.
If you already buy it for cooking, using baking soda for cleaning is a simple way to reduce waste, avoid unnecessary products, and keep things minimal.
Below is a realistic guide to what baking soda is good for, how to use it properly, and where it falls short.
How to clean with baking soda?
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is mildly alkaline. That means it:
- neutralises acidic odors
- gently scrubs without scratching most surfaces
- helps loosen grime and grease
- absorbs smells instead of masking them
It’s not a disinfectant, and it won’t dissolve mineral buildup as vinegar does, but it shines when it comes to deodorising and gentle abrasion.
Natural cleaning with baking soda: 13 ideas
1. All-purpose scrub
Sometimes you don’t need a liquid cleaner, just something that gives a bit of grip when wiping. Baking soda works well here because it cleans without being harsh.
Best for: Sinks, stovetops, tubs, tiles, non-stone countertops
Not ideal for: Polished stone, delicate finishes, aluminium
How to use:
- Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the surface
- Add a little water to make a paste
- Scrub gently with a cloth or sponge
- Rinse and wipe dry
This is especially useful for areas that feel grimy rather than greasy. Scrub lightly, pressing harder doesn’t clean better and can dull shiny surfaces over time.
2. Deodorising the fridge
Even a clean fridge can develop odd smells over time. Baking soda can help by absorbing odors instead of masking them.
Best for: Fridges, freezers, food storage areas
Not ideal for: Spills or sticky surfaces
How to use:
- Place an open container of baking soda in the fridge
- Replace every 1-2 months
If smells are strong, wipe the shelves first, then use baking soda to keep things fresh.
3. Cleaning sinks and drains (odor control)
If a drain smells a bit funky but isn’t clogged, baking soda can help freshen it up.
Best for: Kitchen and bathroom sink odors
Not ideal for: Serious clogs or standing water
How to use:
- Sprinkle baking soda into the drain
- Pour in hot water or vinegar
- Let it sit, then rinse
This works best as regular maintenance. If water isn’t draining properly, this won’t fix the problem.
4. Scrubbing pots and pans
Baking soda is great for cookware that needs a bit of help but doesn’t need harsh cleaners.
Best for: Stainless steel, enamel, ceramic cookware
Not ideal for: Non-stick coatings (scrub very gently)
How to use:
- Sprinkle baking soda over the pan
- Add warm water
- Let soak if needed
- Scrub gently
For stuck-on food, letting it sit for a while usually does more than scrubbing harder.
5. Removing odors from carpets and rugs
Carpets tend to hold onto smells, so baking soda helps absorb those lingering odors.
Best for: Carpets, rugs, entry mats
Not ideal for: Wet stains or deep-set damage
How to use:
- Sprinkle baking soda generously
- Let it sit for several hours or overnight
- Vacuum thoroughly
This works best as a refresh, not a deep clean. Always test first, especially on darker fabrics.
6. Cleaning the oven (light to medium mess)
Baking soda is often recommended for oven cleaning, but it’s important to set expectations.
Best for: Light to moderate grease and spills
Not ideal for: Heavy, baked-on carbon buildup
How to use:
- Make a paste with baking soda and water
- Spread it over dirty areas
- Let it sit for several hours or overnight
- Wipe and rinse
This takes time, but it’s low-tox and gentle. For very dirty ovens, it may need repeating.
7. Freshening shoes
Shoes are one of those things that trap smells quickly. Baking soda is a simple fix.
Best for: Sneakers, gym shoes, slippers
Not ideal for: Wet shoes (dry them first)
How to use:
- Sprinkle baking soda inside the shoes
- Leave overnight
- Shake out or vacuum
Using a small cloth pouch makes this easier and reusable.
8. Cleaning cutting boards
Cutting boards can look clean but still hold onto food smells.
Best for: Wooden and plastic cutting boards
Not ideal for: Boards with deep cracks or damage
How to use:
- Sprinkle baking soda on the board
- Scrub with a damp sponge
- Rinse and dry well
For stronger smells, adding lemon helps, but baking soda alone already makes a difference.
9. Deodorising trash bins
Trash bins often smell even when they’re empty. Baking soda helps control that at the source.
Best for: Kitchen and bathroom bins
Not ideal for: Sticky spills or leaks (clean those first)
How to use:
- Sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of the bin
- Replace as needed
You can also sprinkle it directly into the bag.
10. Laundry booster (odor control)
If laundry smells clean but still feels a bit “off,” baking soda can help.
Best for: Towels, workout clothes, and everyday laundry
Not ideal for: Silk, wool, delicate fabrics
How to use:
- Add ½ cup of baking soda directly to the drum
- Wash as usual
It helps neutralise odors and slightly softens water, but it doesn’t replace detergent.
11. Cleaning grout (light buildup)
Grout tends to show dirt quickly, even when tiles look clean.
Best for: Tile grout with surface dirt
Not ideal for: Deep stains or mold inside grout
How to use:
- Make a thick baking soda paste
- Apply to grout
- Scrub with a brush
- Rinse
This works for maintenance. Persistent mold usually needs a different approach.
12. Freshening mattresses and upholstery
Mattresses and upholstered furniture tend to hold onto smells over time… sweat, pets, general “lived-in” odors… You get the picture. Baking soda is useful here because it freshens without adding moisture, which is especially important for things that are hard to wash.
Best for: Mattresses, sofas, fabric chairs, cushions
Not ideal for: Stains or spills (those need separate treatment)
How to use:
- Sprinkle baking soda evenly over the surface
- Let it sit for several hours (or longer if possible)
- Vacuum thoroughly
This works best as an occasional refresh rather than a deep clean. If smells are strong, giving the baking soda more time to sit usually makes a noticeable difference.
13. Removing sticky labels from jars
This is another practical use of baking soda, especially if you reuse glass jars regularly. Use hot water to loosen the paper, and use dish soap to help break down grease in the adhesive, and baking soda, which provides gentle abrasion to remove what’s left. For very stubborn glue, repeating the process once usually does the trick.
Best for: Glass jars, bottles, and food containers with paper labels
Not ideal for: Plastic containers with delicate surfaces or printed designs
How to use:
- Soak the jar in hot water with a bit of dish soap for 10-20 minutes
- Peel off as much of the label as possible
- Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the sticky residue
- Rub with your fingers or a cloth
- Rinse and dry
What baking soda can’t do
Baking soda is useful, but it has limits:
- It does not disinfect
- It doesn’t remove limescale or hard water deposits
- It won’t fix mold problems
- It’s not strong enough for heavy grease or deep stains
Baking soda vs vinegar
- Baking soda: deodorising, gentle scrubbing, odor control
- Vinegar: dissolving limescale, cutting grease, breaking down mineral buildup
They’re often used together, but they do different jobs. Go to my guide on vinegar cleaning to find useful ways to use vinegar.
Surfaces to be careful with
Avoid heavy scrubbing with baking soda on:
- glass with special coatings
polished stone - aluminium
- delicate finishes
Always test first.
FAQs
Is baking soda safe for daily cleaning?
Yes, on most surfaces, when used gently.
Can I mix baking soda with vinegar?
Yes, the fizz can help loosen dirt, but it doesn’t make the cleaner stronger. It’s more of a mechanical reaction than a chemical boost.
Does baking soda kill bacteria?
No. It helps with odors and grime, not disinfection.
Final thoughts
Cleaning with baking soda won’t replace every product, and it won’t solve deep cleaning problems, but for everyday messes, odors, and gentle scrubbing, it’s incredibly useful.
Used alongside vinegar, each for what they’re good at, baking soda can be part of a very effective, low-waste cleaning routine without overcomplicating things.
