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20 Surprising Uses for Baking Soda Around the House
Baking soda is an inexpensive household staple that can do much more than help baked goods rise. If you have a box of baking soda sitting in your pantry, you may already have one of the most versatile cleaning and deodorizing products in your home.
Because baking soda is mildly abrasive and naturally helps neutralize odors, it can be useful for everything from freshening carpets to cleaning kitchen surfaces. It is also inexpensive, making it a great option when you want to clean your home without spending a lot of money on specialty products.
Here are some surprising uses for baking soda around the house that are worth trying.
1. Freshen Your Carpet
If your carpets have picked up odors from pets, cooking, or everyday life, baking soda can help freshen them.
Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the carpet and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Then vacuum thoroughly.
For best results, test a small, inconspicuous area first and avoid leaving large amounts of powder where pets or small children could get into it.
2. Deodorize the Refrigerator
Baking soda is probably best known for helping keep refrigerators smelling fresh.
Place an open container or box of baking soda toward the back of your refrigerator. It can help absorb unpleasant odors and keep your fridge smelling fresher.
Replace it periodically, especially if your refrigerator has strong or persistent odors.
3. Clean a Smelly Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal can develop unpleasant odors from food residue that gets trapped inside.
Pour a small amount of baking soda into the disposal, followed by some water. You can also add a little vinegar, although the fizzing reaction is more useful for loosening residue than for providing extra cleaning power.
Never put your hands into the disposal. Run the disposal with cold water afterward to help rinse everything away.
4. Scrub Your Kitchen Sink
Baking soda makes a gentle scrub for many sinks.
Sprinkle baking soda over a damp sink and use a soft sponge or cloth to gently scrub away grime and residue. Rinse thoroughly when you’re finished.
It can be especially useful when you want a little more scrubbing power without using a harsh abrasive cleaner.
Always check the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations for specialty sinks, such as certain stone or coated surfaces.
5. Remove Odors From Cutting Boards
Wood and plastic cutting boards can hold onto food odors, particularly after preparing garlic, onions, or other strong-smelling foods.
Sprinkle baking soda over the board and gently scrub it with a damp sponge. Rinse well and allow the cutting board to dry completely.
For food-safety purposes, baking soda should not replace proper washing and sanitizing of cutting boards.
6. Freshen Stinky Shoes
If your shoes have developed an unpleasant odor, baking soda can help.
Sprinkle a little baking soda inside each shoe and leave it overnight. Shake or vacuum the powder out before wearing them.
This works particularly well for shoes that aren’t easy to wash.
7. Deodorize a Mattress
Mattresses can collect sweat and odors over time, even when you regularly wash your sheets.
Remove all bedding and sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over the mattress. Let it sit for several hours, then vacuum the mattress thoroughly.
This won’t replace regular mattress cleaning, but it can be an easy way to freshen it between deeper cleanings.
8. Clean Greasy Pots and Pans
Baking soda can help loosen grease and stuck-on food from many pots and pans.
Sprinkle baking soda over the dirty area and add enough warm water to make a paste. Let it sit for a while before scrubbing with a suitable sponge.
For particularly stubborn messes, soaking the cookware first can make the job easier.
Be careful with nonstick cookware and always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
9. Freshen Upholstery
Baking soda can also be used to freshen some upholstered furniture.
Lightly sprinkle baking soda over the fabric and let it sit for a few hours. Vacuum it thoroughly afterward.
Before trying this on an entire piece of furniture, test a small hidden area to make sure the fabric doesn’t react poorly.
10. Deodorize the Trash Can
Even when you use trash bags, the inside of a garbage can can develop unpleasant odors.
Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into the bottom of a clean, dry trash can before putting in a new liner. The baking soda can help absorb odors between cleanings.
For the best results, wash and dry the trash can regularly as well.
11. Clean a Coffee Maker Carafe
Coffee residue can leave a stubborn film and odor inside a glass coffee pot.
Add a small amount of baking soda and warm water to the carafe. Use a bottle brush or sponge to gently scrub the inside, then rinse very well.
Don’t put baking soda into the water reservoir of a coffee maker unless the manufacturer specifically says it is safe to do so.
12. Freshen Stale-Smelling Towels
If your towels smell musty even after washing, the problem may be buildup in the fabric or washing machine.
For washable towels, baking soda can sometimes help freshen them. Add about 1/2 cup of baking soda to a regular wash load along with your usual detergent.
Avoid combining baking soda and vinegar in the same wash cycle if you’re expecting a stronger cleaning effect. They largely neutralize each other when mixed together.
13. Clean Crayon Marks From Walls
Baking soda can help remove some light crayon marks from washable painted walls.
Make a paste with a small amount of baking soda and water. Apply it gently with a soft, damp cloth and rub lightly.
Be careful not to scrub too aggressively because baking soda can dull or remove some paint finishes. Always test an inconspicuous spot first.
14. Remove Burnt Food From a Pan
Don’t immediately throw away a pan because food has burned onto the bottom.
Sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and add enough water to cover the stuck-on residue. Let it soak before gently scrubbing.
For especially stubborn messes, warming the water in the pan can help loosen the residue. Make sure the method is appropriate for the type of cookware you’re cleaning.
15. Freshen a Musty Closet
A small open container of baking soda can help absorb odors in enclosed spaces such as closets, cabinets, or storage areas.
Place it somewhere secure where it won’t easily spill. Replace it periodically when it no longer seems effective.
This is particularly useful in small areas that don’t get much air circulation.
16. Clean Grout
Baking soda can make a simple homemade scrub for dirty grout.
Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to make a paste. Apply it to the grout lines and gently scrub with an old toothbrush or grout brush.
Rinse thoroughly afterward.
Keep in mind that baking soda isn’t a substitute for a disinfectant when you need to sanitize an area.
17. Deodorize the Dishwasher
Dishwashers can sometimes develop a stale or unpleasant smell from food particles and residue.
After removing any food debris and cleaning the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions, sprinkle some baking soda across the bottom of the empty dishwasher. Run a short cycle with hot water.
This can help freshen the dishwasher between more thorough cleanings.
18. Freshen Pet Bedding
Pet beds can quickly pick up odors.
For washable bedding, follow the care instructions on the label and consider adding baking soda to the wash. For removable, non-washable surfaces, a light sprinkle of baking soda can help absorb odors before vacuuming it away.
Keep baking soda and baking soda mixtures away from pets while applying them, and make sure the powder is thoroughly removed before your pet uses the bedding again.
19. Clean Your Microwave
Baking soda can help remove food residue and odors from the inside of a microwave.
Mix baking soda with a little water to make a soft paste. Apply it to stubborn spots, let it sit briefly, and wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth.
For dried-on food, steaming the microwave with water first can help loosen the mess.
20. Freshen Your Laundry Hamper
Laundry hampers can get surprisingly smelly, especially when damp towels and workout clothes are tossed inside.
Sprinkle a little baking soda into the bottom of the hamper to help absorb odors. Empty and clean the hamper regularly, especially if it holds damp clothing.
A Few Baking Soda Safety Tips
Although baking soda is useful for many household jobs, it isn’t safe for every surface or cleaning situation.
Avoid using it on surfaces that can easily scratch, and always check the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations before using it on natural stone, specialty finishes, nonstick cookware, or delicate materials.
Remember that baking soda is not a disinfectant. It can help clean, scrub, and neutralize odors, but it shouldn’t be used as a substitute for an appropriate disinfectant when disinfecting is necessary.
And never mix household cleaning products indiscriminately. In particular, never mix baking soda with bleach or other chemical cleaners unless the product manufacturer specifically says the combination is safe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baking Soda
Can baking soda remove odors?
Yes. Baking soda can help absorb and neutralize many everyday odors. It can be used in refrigerators, trash cans, shoes, carpets, closets, and other areas where unpleasant smells tend to linger.
Can you mix baking soda and vinegar?
You can mix baking soda and vinegar, but the fizzing reaction doesn’t necessarily make them a more powerful cleaner. Since baking soda is alkaline and vinegar is acidic, they largely neutralize each other. They can still be useful together in certain cleaning situations, but using them separately is often more effective.
Is baking soda safe for cleaning?
Baking soda is generally a mild household cleaning option, but it isn’t appropriate for every surface. It can be abrasive enough to scratch or dull some materials, so always test it on an inconspicuous area first and check the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations.
Can baking soda disinfect surfaces?
No. Baking soda is useful for cleaning, scrubbing, and neutralizing odors, but it should not be considered a disinfectant. When you need to disinfect a surface, use a product specifically labeled for that purpose.
Does baking soda expire?
Baking soda doesn’t suddenly become unusable after the expiration date, but it can lose its effectiveness over time. If you’re using it for baking, an older box may not provide the same leavening power. For household cleaning and odor absorption, freshness is generally less important.
Why Keep Baking Soda on Hand?
One of the best things about baking soda is its versatility. A single inexpensive box can help with odors, light scrubbing, and everyday cleaning jobs throughout the house.
You don’t need a cabinet full of specialty cleaners to tackle every little household mess. Sometimes a simple pantry staple is all you need.
If you already keep baking soda in your kitchen for baking, consider keeping another box specifically for household cleaning. Just remember that once baking soda has been used for cleaning, it shouldn’t be returned to your food pantry for cooking.
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