Baking soda is one of today’s most common pantry items—with a long history. Ancient Egyptians used a naturally occurring salt mixture called natron, which contains baking soda, as a cleaning agent in the mummification process. In the 19th century, bakers began embracing it as a leavening agent. And in 1846, Arm & Hammer began marketing its now-famous packaged baking soda. Over time, its usefulness extended far beyond baking, finding a place in cleaning and personal care. On April 22, 1970, Arm & Hammer sponsored the first Earth Day, helping to promote baking soda as a natural and eco-friendly cleaning alternative.
“Baking soda is one of the most useful DIY toxin-free cleaning products to use around the home,” says Michael Bogoyavlenskiy, CEO of Cleaning Express, a UK-based cleaning services company. “It can replace all kinds of store-bought products.”
Try these baking soda hacks for a cleaner home and a better you.
Deodorize
Refrigerator
Baking soda can neutralize and reduce bad odors given the way it reacts with acidic (e.g., sour milk) and alkaline (e.g., spoiled fish) compounds. Bogoyavlenskiy recommends keeping a small open container in your fridge to keep it from smelling stale.
Carpets, shoes, and more
Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet, upholstery, and mattresses to keep them smelling fresh. “Rub it in and leave it for at least an hour,” Bogoyavlenskiy says. “Then vacuum it off, and it should lift the smell.” Bogoyavlenskiy says this baking soda hack also works on smelly shoes (just follow the same steps).
Air freshener
People coming over? For a quick fix, Bogoyavlenskiy recommends mixing a tablespoon of baking soda with water in a spray bottle and spritzing it into the air.
Washing machine
For a low-cost deep clean, Bogoyavlenskiy recommends dropping a cup of baking soda in the washing machine detergent drawer or drum. “Put your washing machine on the hottest and longest cycle, and it should end up sparkling clean and free from smells,” he says. You can also mix baking soda in with your regular detergent as a laundry booster.
Sinks and drains
Use a simple baking soda-based solution to freshen drains, dislodge minor blockages, and improve air quality. Courtney Cole, an interior designer with TileCloud, offers this formula: Sprinkle one-half cup of baking soda down the drain, and then add vinegar to create a fizzy reaction. “Let it sit for only a few minutes before you flush it with hot water,” she says.
Polish
Surfaces
Sprinkle some baking soda on a damp sponge to polish surfaces. Rinse with warm water, and polish with a microfiber cloth. “You wouldn’t think something so basic could make stainless steel look brand-new, but it really does,” Cole says. However, use caution. Test the paste first on an inconspicuous area to ensure that it doesn’t leave marks. Similarly, avoid using baking soda paste on anything that scratches easily, such as a cooktop or glass.
Sinks, showers, and tiles
Steven Ip, founder and owner of Cleanzen, prefers to make a paste of baking soda and water. “Spread it on sinks, showers, or tiles, and let it sit for a few hours before rinsing,” recommends Ip, whose company has locations cities including Boston, Miami, and Chicago. “It also works well on burnt food and grease. Just spread the paste on your stovetop or oven, wait a few hours, and wipe it clean.”
Remove sticky residue
To remove the residue from tape or stickers, Ip recommends mixing equal parts baking soda and olive oil to form a simple paste. Apply the paste to the sticky areas, let it soak for five to 10 minutes, and then wipe it off with a cloth or towel. If needed, remove any lingering oily residue with soap and water.
Whiten your teeth
Baking soda isn’t only for cleaning your home; it can be used to clean your teeth, too, thanks to baking soda’s low-abrasive nature. The Arm & Hammer website offers a home remedy for whitening your teeth with baking soda. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Apply the paste in circular motions with a toothbrush or finger for about two minutes. Spit out the paste, and then rinse your mouth and brush your teeth.
The right mix is essential to avoid harming your tooth enamel and dentin. The American Dental Association recommends using a toothpaste that contains baking soda that has proven to be safe.
Remove pesticides from produce
You may have seen Instagram influencers wash newly purchased produce in a mixture of baking soda and water and wondered if there’s merit to the trend. America’s Test Kitchen found that this baking soda hack did indeed remove certain types of pesticides from grapes.
Simply mix two teaspoons of baking soda with a quart of water, and swirl the produce around for 30 seconds, making sure the fruit is submerged in at least an inch of the liquid. Rinse and enjoy.
Given the many baking soda uses, stock up when you visit the supermarket. An unopened carton can last up to three years. But if you want to get back to basics and bake, use the opened package within six months.