Baking soda is a true miracle cure in the household. It cleanses, neutralizes odors, and removes even stubborn stains without any harsh chemicals. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but it’s also cheap and versatile. No wonder it’s been used for generations to clean with baking soda!

Whether it’s the kitchen, bathroom, or just the dishes, baking soda can help with numerous cleaning tasks. Baking soda makes it easier to clean household items quickly and more effectively. It dissolves grease, removes lime, and ensures hygienic cleanliness. And the best part? You probably already have it at home!

In this article, you’ll learn why baking soda is so effective and how to get the most out of it in your home. From simple tips to clever combinations with other home remedies, you’ll discover how versatile this natural cleaner really is.

Why Baking Soda is an Effective Cleaning Product

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is very useful when it comes to cleaning. Its chemical properties make it particularly effective against dirt, odors, and grease deposits without any aggressive ingredients.

Baking Soda Works Naturally

Baking soda is slightly alkaline and can therefore neutralize acids. This is particularly practical when it comes to limescale deposits or burnt food residues. At the same time, it dissolves fats and removes unpleasant odors by binding their acid molecules. This versatility makes it an ideal cleaning agent for many areas of the home.

Baking Soda is Environmentally Friendly and Safe

Unlike many conventional cleaners, baking soda does not contain harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances. It is biodegradable and does not pollute the environment or the air quality in your home. It is also harmless to health, which is why baking soda is ideal for cleaning households with children or pets.

Baking Soda is Gentle, Yet Powerful

Although baking soda is effective against dirt and grease, it is gentle on surfaces. It does not scratch sensitive materials, and it doesn’t leave residue. This makes it particularly useful for cleaning kitchen surfaces, bathroom tiles, or even textiles.

Not sure how to use baking soda for cleaning? Book a cleaner with Helpling who has experience with the best home remedies for cleaning.

Baking Soda for Cleaning: The Best Uses in the Home

Baking soda is a true all-rounder when it comes to household cleaning. In many areas, it can be used as an effective and cost-effective alternative to traditional cleaning products. Whether in the kitchen, bathroom, or even laundry – here are some of the best treatments to help you keep your home clean and fresh effortlessly.

#1 Kitchen Cleaning with Baking Soda

Oven & Stove: Burnt-in grease and dirt in the oven can be stubborn, but baking soda is an excellent solution. Mix baking soda with a little water until you get a thick paste and apply it to the affected areas. Leave the paste on for about 15–20 minutes and then wipe the dirt with a damp cloth; the burnt-in dirt will almost come off by itself. The stove also benefits from this method to remove stuck residue.
Microwave: Dirt and unpleasant smells also collect in the microwave over time. Simply sprinkle some baking soda in a bowl of water, put it in the microwave, and heat it for 3–5 minutes. The steam removes stubborn residue and neutralizes odors.
Sink & Drain: Baking soda is a great way to clean the sink and drain. For the stainless-steel sink, you can sprinkle baking soda directly on the surface and wipe with a damp cloth. To clean the drain and eliminate unpleasant odors, simply add half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of white vinegar, followed by hot water. The bubbling cleaning process dissolves deposits and provides freshness.
Dishes & Pots: Burnt residues on pots and dishes can be easily soaked with a baking soda and water mixture. Simply leave the affected parts in a solution of baking soda and water for a few hours – the dirt will come off and can then be easily wiped off.

#2 Bathroom Cleaning with Baking Soda

Remove limescale and soap residue: In the bathroom, baking soda and citric acid make it particularly easy to remove stubborn limescale deposits and soap residue. Mix the two ingredients and apply the mixture to the affected areas. Leave them on for a few minutes before wiping with a cloth or sponge. Your fittings shine like new!
Cleaning the toilet: Baking soda and white vinegar offer a powerful combination to clean your toilet and eliminate unpleasant odors. Add half a cup of baking soda to the toilet and leave it on for a moment. Then add half a cup of white vinegar. It will bubble, loosening limescale and dirt. Then simply rinse.
Clear drain: Instead of using chemical drain cleaners, you can use baking soda and hot water to clear clogged drains. Add half a cup of baking soda to the drain, followed by hot water. This simple but effective method dissolves deposits and frees the drain naturally.

#3 Baking Soda for Laundry

Neutralize odors: Baking soda is also an excellent substitute for traditional fabric softeners. Just add half a cup of baking soda to your washing machine’s fabric softener compartment to neutralize unpleasant odors and keep your laundry fresh-smelling.
Whiten white laundry: To lighten white clothes and for stain removal, you can mix baking soda with water and apply the mixture directly to the affected areas. Leave it on and then wash the garment as usual.
Refresh shoes and sportswear: Sportswear and shoes can quickly smell unpleasant. Simply add some baking soda to your shoes or laundry to absorb odors and bring back the fresh atmosphere.

#4 Furniture and Floor Care with Baking Soda

Carpet and Upholstered Furniture: Baking soda is ideal for removing unpleasant odors from carpets and upholstered furniture. Sprinkle baking soda generously on the carpet or upholstery, leave it for about 15–20 minutes, and then vacuum thoroughly. The smells have disappeared, and your furniture looks like new.
Wooden furniture & parquet: You can also gently clean wooden furniture and parquet with baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on the surface and wipe with a damp cloth; this method removes dust and light dirt without attacking the delicate wood surface.
Clean tile joints: If you want to clean your tile joints, we recommend using baking soda for cleaning. Mix it with water to make a paste and apply it to the joints. Leave it on and then wipe the joints with a cloth; this will help eliminate mold and discoloration and make your tiles look like new again.

#5 Baking Soda for Unpleasant Smells in the Household

Refrigerator & Trash Can: Baking soda is an excellent odor absorber; just place an open box of baking soda in the fridge to neutralize unpleasant odors. The same goes for the trash can – a small bowl of baking soda helps absorb unpleasant odors and keep the trash can fresh.
Mattresses and upholstery: Odors in mattresses and upholstery can also be removed with baking soda. Simply sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the mattress and let it sit. After that, you can simply vacuum it for a refreshed sleeping environment.
Pet areas: In areas where pets spend their time, such as baskets or litter boxes, you can also sprinkle baking soda to reduce odors. It binds unpleasant odors and ensures that pet areas stay fresh.

Baking Soda in Combination with Other Home Remedies

Baking soda alone is an excellent cleaning product, but when combined with other home remedies, it develops its true power. These natural ingredients complement each other perfectly and offer you an even more effective solution to various household cleaning problems. Here we present some proven combinations to you.

Baking Soda & Vinegar: For Drains & Stubborn Stains

When baking soda meets vinegar, a small miracle happens: a bubbling reaction occurs that loosens up deposits and dirt. This mixture is particularly effective for cleaning drains. Simply add half a cup of baking soda to the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. After the mixture has bubbled, rinse with hot water – the drain is cleared of deposits, and unpleasant odors disappear.

But this combination is not only useful in drains. Baking soda and vinegar also help with stain removals on surfaces. Use them to clean pots, pans, or even the oven – the acidity of the vinegar and the alkaline effect of baking soda work together and loosen stuck dirt.

Baking Soda & Lemon Juice: Fat Remover and Disinfection in One

Lemon juice is known for its fat-dissolving properties and ability to neutralize unpleasant odors. When you combine baking soda with lemon juice, you get a strong duo that fights both fat and bacteria. This mixture is great for cleaning your kitchen – especially for loosening the grease deposits on the stove or in the extractor hood.

Simply apply the mixture to the greasy areas and leave it on for a few minutes. After that, wipe the surface thoroughly. Lemon juice also has disinfectant properties, so you can also rid your work surfaces of germs at the same time.

Baking Soda & Salt: Abrasives for Stubborn Dirt

Salt is a mild abrasive and is great in combination with baking soda to remove stubborn dirt. This mixture is particularly helpful in cleaning pots, pans, and also in removing rust. Baking soda loosens dirt and grease, while the salt, as a gentle abrasive, helps polish the dirty areas without scratching the surface.

Conclusion

Baking soda has long since established itself as a true all-rounder in the household – a natural, effective, and cost-effective helper for countless cleaning tasks. Whether in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry, baking soda scores with its versatility and ensures sparkling clean results, without any aggressive chemicals. It is also environmentally friendly, safe to use, and perfect for households with children or pets.

Thanks to its unique chemical properties, baking soda is ideal for cleaning. It is a particularly powerful cleaner that effortlessly eliminates grease, dirt, and unpleasant odors. Baking with other natural home remedies, such as vinegar, lemon juice, or salt, baking soda also has its full effect and offers an even more effective solution for stubborn cleaning tasks.

However, despite its versatility and simplicity, there are situations where you may need support. If you are unsure or have major cleaning projects coming up, you can always seek professional help. Household cleaners at Helpling know exactly how to use baking soda correctly and, in combination with other products, lead to perfect cleaning. This means your home always stays sparkling clean – and in a completely natural way.