Make a thick paste with baking soda and water. Apply it to glass doors and let it sit for 10 minutes. Scrub with a soft cloth, then rinse thoroughly. The mild abrasive action removes soap buildup without scratching glass.
You’ll want a tool that can handle the toughest buildup. Something like specialized shower door cleaners handles stubborn soap scum that regular methods miss.
6. Scrub Grout Back to White
Mix baking soda with just enough water to form a thick paste. Apply it to grout lines and scrub with an old toothbrush. For tough stains, spray vinegar over the paste and let it bubble for 5 minutes before scrubbing.
This method works better than bleach-based grout cleaners and won’t damage your tiles or lungs.
7. Clean and Deodorize Your Toilet
Sprinkle 1/4 cup baking soda in the bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush, paying attention to under the rim. For extra cleaning power, add 1/4 cup vinegar and let it fizz before scrubbing.
The combination removes stains and kills odor-causing bacteria naturally.
Laundry and Fabric Care
8. Boost Your Detergent’s Power
Add 1/2 cup baking soda to your regular wash cycle. It makes detergent work better by balancing pH levels and breaking down oils and dirt. Your clothes come out cleaner and brighter.
This works especially well for athletic wear and work clothes that trap odors and sweat.
9. Remove Sweat Stains from White Shirts
Make a paste with 4 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon water. Rub it into sweat stains and let it sit for 1 hour. Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
The alkaline paste breaks down the proteins in sweat stains that cause yellowing. This method saves shirts that commercial stain removers can’t fix.
10. Freshen Musty Towels and Linens
Soak smelly towels in hot water with 1 cup baking soda for 2 hours before washing. The baking soda neutralizes the bacteria that cause musty odors in damp fabrics.
Your towels will smell fresh again instead of like a wet dog.
Living Areas and General Cleaning
11. Deep Clean Carpets and Rugs
Sprinkle baking soda liberally over carpets before bed. Work it in with a brush if you have pets or heavy traffic areas. Vacuum thoroughly in the morning.
The baking soda absorbs odors and lifts dirt from carpet fibers. This works better than carpet deodorizers that just mask smells.
12. Clean and Freshen Upholstery
Test a hidden area first, then sprinkle baking soda on fabric furniture. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum with the upholstery attachment. For spot cleaning, make a paste and gently scrub stains.
This method removes pet odors and food spills without water damage or chemical residue.
13. Remove Crayon and Scuff Marks from Walls
Make a paste with baking soda and water. Gently scrub marks with a soft cloth, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. The mild abrasive removes marks without damaging paint.
Test this method in a corner first to make sure it won’t affect your wall color.
Outdoor and Specialty Uses
14. Clean Patio Furniture and Grills
Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 quart warm water for plastic furniture. For grills, make a paste and scrub grates while they’re still warm (but not hot). Rinse thoroughly.
This cuts through outdoor grease and grime without harsh chemicals that could contaminate your food or plants.
15. Maintain Pool Equipment and Surfaces
Sprinkle baking soda on pool deck stains and scrub with a brush. For equipment, use a paste to remove calcium buildup and algae stains.
If you’re dealing with a larger pool area, automated cleaning equipment makes this job much easier. A decent robotic pool cleaner is built for exactly this situation and handles the heavy work while you focus on detail cleaning.
Pro Tips for Better Results
Mix fresh paste each time you clean. Old paste loses effectiveness and can leave residue behind.
Always test baking soda on a small, hidden area first. While it’s gentle, some delicate materials can react poorly.
Don’t mix baking soda with other cleaners except white vinegar. Chemical reactions with other products can create toxic fumes or reduce effectiveness.
Store baking soda in a sealed container to prevent it from absorbing moisture and odors from your storage area.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use baking soda on aluminum surfaces. It can cause discoloration and pitting over time.
Never use it on natural stone like marble or granite. The alkaline pH can etch and damage these surfaces permanently.
Don’t expect instant results on tough stains. Some jobs need time and multiple treatments to work properly.
The Bottom Line
Cleaning with baking soda saves you money while protecting your family from toxic chemicals. This one ingredient handles most household cleaning jobs better than expensive specialty products.
Start with the methods that address your biggest cleaning challenges. Once you see how well baking soda works, you’ll wonder why you ever bought all those other cleaners.
Keep several boxes on hand—one for cleaning, one for baking, and one open box for odor absorption. At under $2 per box, it’s the cheapest and most versatile cleaning supply you can buy.
