25 Ways to Use Baking Soda for Cleaning

Baking soda has so many uses, but especially for cleaning. Discover all the spots in your home you can clean with this magic product.

Published February 23, 2022
Cleaning kitchen with natural cleaning products

Did you know you can clean your entire house with just one ingredient? It's true. Baking soda is a natural cleanser you can use to clean and deodorize every room in your home. Find out a few ways you can use baking soda for cleaning and why it's such a perfect natural solution.

Cleaning with baking soda

Use Baking Soda to Clean Bathroom

You don't have to use major chemicals like bleach and ammonia to clean your bathroom. Instead, baking soda can get your whole bathroom sparkling with ease.

Tile and Grout Cleaner

Get your grout sparkling and get rid of mildew quickly.

  1. Create a baking soda paste by adding water.
  2. Dip a brush in the paste.
  3. Scrub the grout.

Quick Toilet Cleaner

Want to get your toilet clean without having to add toxic chemicals? Try this simple white vinegar and baking soda mix.

  1. Put a cup of baking soda in the toilet.
  2. Add two cups of white vinegar.
  3. Allow the mixture to fizz.
  4. Scrub with a brush.

Toothbrush Cleaner

You might not think of cleaning your toothbrush. But, it doesn't self-clean. You can use baking soda to get rid of germs.

Baking soda with brush
  1. Put a cup of water in a glass.
  2. Add two tablespoons of baking soda.
  3. Allow the brush to soak for 10-15 minutes.

Easy Bathtub and Sink Scrub

When it comes to scrubbing your bathtub and removing soap scum, all you need is a little baking soda.

  1. Wet the entire tub or sink.
  2. Sprinkle baking soda on all areas.
  3. Allow it to sit for a few minutes.
  4. Dampen a cloth.
  5. Scrub with a cloth.

Clean Shower Doors

Do you have grimy shower doors? Get them clear in a jiffy.

  1. Wet a cloth.
  2. Add a bit of baking soda.
  3. Scrub your shower doors.
  4. Rinse and dry.

How to Clean Rooms With Baking Soda

Baking soda can go a lot farther than your bathroom. It works in your bedrooms too!

Clean Dirty Carpets & Rugs

Dirty carpets and rugs got you down? Liven up your carpet and rugs with a sprinkle or two of baking soda.

Woman pouring baking soda in long hair fur carpet
  1. Vacuum the area.
  2. Sprinkle baking soda on any stains.
  3. Spray water on the baking soda.
  4. Allow it to sit for an hour or two.
  5. Once dry, scrub with a bristle brush.
  6. Vacuum up the baking soda.

Baking Soda for Cleaning Mattress and Upholstery

Mattresses need more than flipping. This recipe will deodorize and clean them.

  1. Sprinkle the baking soda all over the mattress or couch.
  2. Allow it to sit for several hours.
  3. Vacuum the mattress well.

Simple Toy Cleaner

You want to keep chemicals away from your children. Substitute chemicals with baking soda when cleaning your children's toys.

  1. Put ¼ cup of baking soda in four cups of hot water.
  2. Submerge all rubber and plastic toys.
  3. Scrub them with a sponge.
  4. Rinse and dry.

Scrub Walls Quickly

Scuff and crayon marks are a quick fix with this simple scrub.

  1. Create a paste with baking soda and water.
  2. Use the paste to scrub the marks with a toothbrush.

Remove Odors From Vacuums

Some vacuums with a bag have a cloth container that holds the bag. This area can get stinky after a while. Try this out to freshen it up.

  1. Pull out the bag.
  2. Put an open box of baking soda in the bag.
  3. Allow it to sit overnight.
  4. Remove and add a new bag.

Clean Your Kitchen With Baking Soda

Kitchens are full of all different types of germs, grime, and smells. Baking soda is an effective cleaner for unclogging drains, getting odors out of fridges, polishing silver, and even cleaning your oven. You can also use it in a few other areas in your kitchen.

Natural cleaners

Sponge and Dish Cloth Deodorizer

Got a stinky sponge or cloth? Give it a bit of a bath in baking soda.

  1. Add 2 tablespoons to a couple of cups of water.
  2. Soak your sponge for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Rinse and allow to dry.

Deep Clean Cookware

Clean a greasy or grimy pan easily.

  1. Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of the pan.
  2. Add a bit of warm water and allow it to sit for 15 or so minutes.
  3. Add more baking soda and scrub.

Clean and Deodorize Dishwasher

A dishwasher is meant to wash your dishes but they can get gummed up too. Get it clean in a snap.

  1. Sprinkle a good amount of baking soda along the bottom of the dishwasher.
  2. Allow it to run a cycle empty.

Trash Deodorizer

Trash cans are breeding grounds for odors. This simple trick is a sure-fire way to get rid of them.

  1. Sprinkle 4 or so tablespoons of baking soda on the bottom of the trash.
  2. Add the bag.

Appliance Cleaner

You can clean all your appliances in your kitchen with just a box of baking soda.

  1. Create a water and baking soda paste.
  2. Apply it to the dirty areas.
  3. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes.
  4. Wipe away grime.

Keep Baking Soda in Your Laundry Room

Baking soda shines in the bathroom and kitchen, but it also brightens your laundry room. It's a must-have laundry room aid.

Washing white shirt with baking soda

Laundry Brightener

When cleaning delicates or baby clothes, you don't want to use bleach or chemicals. Baking soda can brighten clothes easily.

  1. Add a half cup of baking soda to the wash.
  2. Wash as normal.

Natural Stain Fighter

Oily and natural stains don't need to cover your clothes. You can get rid of them fast.

  1. Create a paste with baking soda.
  2. Apply it to the stain.
  3. Rub with a toothbrush.
  4. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes.
  5. Throw in the wash.

This can be even more effective if you add a bit of Dawn to the paste.

Washer Cleaner

You might not think of cleaning your washer, but it needs to be done every few months.

  1. Add 2 cups of baking soda to an empty washer.
  2. Allow it to run through a cycle.
  3. Wipe out the drum with a cloth when done.
  4. Enjoy that gleam!

Unscented Fabric Softener

In addition to brightening your clothes, you can add a bit more sodium bicarbonate to soften your clothing.

  1. Add 1 cup of baking soda after detergent.
  2. Wash clothes as usual.

Odor Removing Soak

Teenage gym clothes can get raunchy. And that smell is hard to get rid of. Follow these steps to fresh-smelling laundry.

  1. Fill a tub or sink with the smelly clothes and add the warmest water listed on clothing tags.
  2. Add a cup of baking soda.
  3. Allow them to soak for a few hours to overnight.

Outdoor Cleaning With Baking Soda Tips

Cleaning doesn't just happen inside of the house. You can take baking soda outside too. It works great to get your grill, deck, and patio furniture sparkling.

Scrub Grimy Grill

Grill grates can get full of gunk. Cleaning them can happen in a few simple steps.

  1. Add baking soda all over the grates.
  2. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
  3. Wet a bristle brush and scrub.
  4. Rinse and dry.

Clean Patio Furniture

Patio furniture is out in the elements all the time. Remove the dirt, mold, and grime easily.

  1. Create a baking soda scrub with water.
  2. Dip a bristle brush in the scrub.
  3. Scrub down your patio furniture.
  4. Add a bit of white vinegar for extra cleaning power.

Sop Up Grease Stains

Did a bit of grease splatter on your deck from your grill? Get it clean quickly.

  1. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain.
  2. Allow it to sit for up to an hour.
  3. Scrub with a toothbrush or bristle brush.
  4. Rinse.

Bring Screens Back to Life

You can't wait to get your windows open. Make sure you get the freshest air by ensuring your screens are clean.

  1. Take the screen out of the window.
  2. Add a bit of baking soda to a bristle brush.
  3. Scrub both sides of the screen gently to remove buildup.

Scour Deck

It's even an effective cleaner for getting dirt off your deck.

  1. Dissolve 2 cups of baking soda into a gallon of hot water.
  2. Dip a brush in the cleaner.
  3. Scrub your deck.

Why Is Baking Soda Good for Cleaning?

You might not think of baking soda outside of making cookies, but it's excellent for cleaning your bathroom for various reasons. Check out just a few of them.

Vinegar, lemon and baking soda in kitchen
  • Creates a gentle scrub that won't scratch glass and stainless steel surfaces
  • Dissolves dirt and organic messes
  • Absorbs odors within appliances
  • Non-toxic
  • Safe for pets
  • Multi-purpose cleaning agent

Common Baking Soda Cleaning Recipe Ingredients

Baking soda can be used alone for many messes around your home. But, you'll find it's even more effective when mixed with other natural cleaning agents. Just a few of the ingredients you can use to make baking soda cleaning recipes include:

  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • White vinegar
  • Dish soap
  • Salt
  • Lemon juice
  • Rubbing alcohol

Clean and Deodorize Your House With Baking Soda

If you've ever looked at the back of a bottle of commercial cleaner, you might start to wonder what exactly you are breathing in and exposing your children and pets to when cleaning your house. Throw all those bottles out the window and add baking soda to your cleaning regimen. From the bathroom to your mattress, it cleans it all.

25 Ways to Use Baking Soda for Cleaning