Bicarbonate of soda is one of the simplest cleaning ingredients to keep at home. It is inexpensive, easy to store and useful for a handful of everyday jobs—from making a gentle cleaning paste to helping freshen a fridge or bin.
It is not a magic all-purpose cleaner, though. Bicarbonate of soda will not disinfect surfaces, dissolve limescale or replace a properly formulated detergent. It works best when you use it for the jobs it suits and choose something else when you need a different kind of cleaning power.
In this guide, we’ll explain what bicarbonate of soda does, share eight practical ways to use it around the home, and cover the surfaces and mixtures to treat with care.
What is bicarbonate of soda?
Bicarbonate of soda—also called baking soda—is sodium bicarbonate, a mildly alkaline white powder. In cleaning, it can provide gentle abrasion when used as a paste and can help with some household odours. It is not the same as soda crystals, also called washing soda: soda crystals are sodium carbonate and are more alkaline, so do not swap one for the other in a recipe.
The distinction matters. Bicarbonate is a modest helper for light cleaning and freshening; it is not a disinfectant, stain remover for every fabric, or specialist surface cleaner.
1. Make a simple paste for a sink
For light marks on a compatible sink, mix about three tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda with a little water. Add the water gradually until you have a spreadable paste.
Apply with a soft, damp cloth or sponge and rub gently. Rinse the surface thoroughly and dry it with a clean cloth. If you are unsure how your sink will respond, test a small, hidden area first. Avoid vigorous scrubbing, especially on polished or coated finishes.
2. Help loosen residue from a burnt pan
Bicarbonate of soda can help loosen light burnt-on food when used with water and gentle scrubbing.
First, remove any loose food. Add enough warm water to cover the affected area, then stir in a small amount of bicarbonate of soda. Leave it to soak before trying to lift the residue with a non-scratch sponge or a utensil suitable for that pan.
Check the pan manufacturer’s care instructions first. Do not use an abrasive paste on non-stick coatings, and avoid using bicarbonate of soda on aluminium cookware. For stubborn residue, use the pan maker’s recommended cleaning method rather than scrubbing harder.
3. Tackle light oven residue
A bicarbonate paste can help with light, greasy residue on suitable, cool oven surfaces. Make a thick paste with bicarbonate of soda and water, apply a small amount to the residue, then wipe gently with a damp cloth and rinse away thoroughly.
Check your oven manual before cleaning. Keep the paste away from heating elements, fans, vents and any surface the manufacturer says not to wet or abrade. Do not use this method on self-cleaning or catalytic liners unless the oven manufacturer specifically allows it. For heavy, carbonised grease, use a cleaner approved for your oven.
4. Freshen the fridge
If your fridge has a mild lingering smell, place a small, open dish of dry bicarbonate of soda on a shelf where it cannot spill. Replace it when it stops helping, and clean the fridge and remove the source of the smell as well.
Bicarbonate of soda will not make spoiled food safe or replace regular fridge cleaning. Keep the dish away from food and children, and do not use the same powder for cooking afterwards.
5. Help keep a bin smelling fresher
Wash the bin with your usual suitable cleaner, rinse it and let it dry. Then place a small open container of bicarbonate of soda near the bottom of the bin, where it is less likely to spill. Replace it periodically.
Keeping the bin clean and dry, emptying it regularly and dealing with leaks promptly will do more than adding powder to a dirty bin.
6. Freshen a stained or odorous mug
For light tea or coffee marks inside a washable mug, sprinkle a little bicarbonate of soda onto a damp cloth or sponge and rub gently. Wash the mug with washing-up liquid and rinse it well.
Use care with decorated, metallic-edged or delicate mugs, as rubbing powder can wear a finish. Check the manufacturer’s care advice if you are unsure.
7. Try it cautiously on dry carpet
A light sprinkling of bicarbonate of soda is sometimes used to freshen a dry carpet or rug. Before trying it, check the carpet-care instructions and your vacuum cleaner’s manual. Test a hidden patch first, use only a very small amount, and vacuum it up thoroughly.
Do not use it on a damp carpet, and do not apply it if your vacuum manufacturer advises against picking up fine powders. If you are unsure, use a carpet product approved for your flooring instead. Bicarbonate of soda is not a substitute for treating the source of an odour or cleaning a stain properly.
8. Use it as an optional laundry freshening aid
Some households add a small amount of bicarbonate of soda to a wash to help with stale odours. Results vary, and it is not a replacement for laundry detergent, a stain remover or a fabric-care instruction.
Check your washing machine manual before adding any powder. If the manual allows it, start with a small amount in the drum rather than putting powder into a dispenser that may not be designed for it. Follow garment care labels, and do not use this as a way to treat delicate or dry-clean-only items.
What bicarbonate of soda is not good for
Bicarbonate of soda is not the right choice for every cleaning job:
- Limescale: Bicarbonate is alkaline, so it is not the ingredient to reach for to dissolve mineral deposits. A suitable acid-based descaler, such as citric acid, is usually a better fit. Check the surface manufacturer’s instructions first
- Disinfection: Do not rely on bicarbonate of soda to disinfect or sanitise a surface. Use a product labelled for that purpose and follow its directions
- Delicate or coated surfaces: Powder can scratch or dull some finishes. Be especially cautious with non-stick coatings, polished surfaces, aluminium, natural stone and specialist finishes.
- When in doubt, check the item’s care instructions and test any cleaning method on a small, hidden area first.
Does bicarbonate of soda work better with vinegar?
The fizz can look impressive, but mixing bicarbonate of soda with vinegar does not create a stronger all-purpose cleaner. They react with each other, producing bubbles and leaving a solution that is much less alkaline and acidic than the ingredients were separately. The fizz may help move loose debris briefly, but for most jobs it is more useful to choose the ingredient suited to the task and use it on its own.
Never mix cleaning ingredients in a closed bottle or container. Gas from the reaction can build pressure. More generally, do not mix household cleaning products unless their labels specifically say it is safe to do so.
A few sensible precautions
Follow the care instructions for the surface, appliance, fabric and vacuum cleaner you are cleaning.
- Test first in a small, inconspicuous area; use a soft cloth and gentle pressure.
- Avoid breathing in powder. Use small amounts and keep it away from eyes.
- Store it in a clearly labelled, sealed container, away from children and pets. Do not leave it where it could be mistaken for food.
- Never combine it with bleach, acids, ammonia or other cleaners. Use one product at a time, following its label.
A simple ingredient, used for the right jobs
Bicarbonate of soda can earn its place in a simple cleaning cupboard: it is handy for a gentle sink paste, a bit of light residue and some household freshening. The trick is not to expect one powder to do everything. Use an acid-based cleaner for suitable limescale jobs, detergent for washing, and a product made for the surface when you need more cleaning power.
Need more bicarbonate of soda?
Try Arborfill’s bicarbonate of soda for your next home-cleaning job. Use code BICARB25 for 25% off.
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