Baking soda is an incredibly versatile household product that has many uses beyond cooking. With its mild abrasive and alkaline properties, baking soda can be used to clean virtually every room in your home. Here are 4 easy homemade cleaners you can make with this pantry staple.
All-Purpose Cleaner
An all-purpose cleaner is a must-have for tackling various cleaning tasks around your home. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make an effective DIY all-purpose cleaner with baking soda:
What You’ll Need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup liquid dish soap
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 2 cups warm water
- Spray bottle
How to Make It:
- Add the baking soda, dish soap, and vinegar to a spray bottle.
- Let foam slightly then top off with warm water.
- Shake gently to combine ingredients.
This fizzy cleaner will help lift dirt and grime from surfaces around your home. The baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive, the dish soap cuts through grease, and the vinegar disinfects.
To use, simply spray directly onto surfaces and wipe clean with a damp cloth. It’s safe for use on sealed countertops, appliances, floors, walls, and more. Avoid using on natural stone surfaces.
Tips:
- Adjust ratios to make a smaller or larger batch. Maintain a 2:1:1 ratio of warm water, baking soda, and dish soap/vinegar.
- For heavy duty cleaning, let the spray sit for 5 minutes before wiping.
- To use on glass, dilute with equal parts water.
With this handy homemade all-purpose cleaner, you can avoid harsh chemicals and easily wipe away dirt throughout your home. Baking soda helps tackle tough grime while dish soap and vinegar work to disinfect surfaces.
Bathroom Cleaner
Over time, soap scum, hard water stains, and mildew can build up in your bathroom. Whip up this DIY bathroom cleaner with baking soda to make your space sparkle:
What You’ll Need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup liquid dish soap
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 10 drops essential oil (optional)
- Spray bottle
How to Make It:
- Add the baking soda, dish soap, and vinegar to a spray bottle.
- Add essential oil if desired for scent. Peppermint or lemon oils work well.
- Top off with 1 cup warm water.
- Shake gently to mix ingredients.
Spritz this homemade cleaner directly onto your bathroom surfaces – tiles, countertops, mirrors, shower doors, tub surrounds, and more. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. The baking soda and vinegar will bubble away, breaking up soap scum and built up grime.
Then simply scrub with a damp cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly until all cleaning solution is removed. Avoid using this cleaner on natural stone surfaces.
Tips:
- For tougher build up, allow the cleaner to sit for longer before scrubbing.
- Add lemon juice for extra grease-cutting power.
- Use an old toothbrush to get into small crevices and grout lines.
This bathroom cleaner will leave your space clean and fresh! The baking soda scrubs away stubborn grime while the vinegar disinfects.
Kitchen Cleaner
From stovetops and sinks to microwaves and stainless steel, your kitchen sees a lot of action. This DIY kitchen cleaner with baking soda will have it looking spotless in no time:
What You’ll Need:
- 3/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup dish soap
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 15 drops lemon essential oil
- 2 cups warm water
- Spray bottle
How to Make It:
- Add the baking soda, dish soap, lemon juice and essential oil to a spray bottle.
- Top off with warm water.
- Shake gently to incorporate.
Spritz this solution on kitchen surfaces such as countertops, sinks, appliances, backsplashes, cabinets, and tables. Allow to sit briefly before wiping clean with a soft cloth.
The baking soda works to gently scour surfaces while the dish soap cuts through grease and oils. The lemon juice adds antibacterial properties and a fresh scent.
Tips:
- For heavy duty cleaning, allow solution to sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping.
- Use a nonabrasive scrub brush or sponge on stuck-on messes.
- Avoid using on granite or marble countertops.
Let this kitchen cleaner make your cooking space sparkle! The baking soda, dish soap, and lemon juice will keep all your kitchen surfaces fresh.
Wood Furniture Polish
Bring out the natural beauty of your wood furnishings with this simple baking soda furniture polish:
What You’ll Need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Small bowl
- Clean cloths
How to Make It:
- Add the baking soda and olive oil to a small bowl. Stir until it forms a smooth paste.
- Using a clean, soft cloth, apply a small amount of the mixture to wood surfaces.
- Rub gently in the direction of the wood grain.
- Buff until polished and wipe away any excess.
The baking soda cleans away dirt and grime to reveal the natural wood while the olive oil conditions and protects the surface. This polish helps repair minor scratches and leaves wood looking lustrous.
Tips:
- Test polish in an inconspicuous spot first to check for colorfastness.
- Avoid using on unfinished wood.
- To condition wood, reapply polish every 4-6 months.
Bring new life to tired wood pieces with this simple DIY polish. Baking soda cleans while olive oil nourishes to leave your furniture looking its best.
Common Baking Soda FAQs
Still have questions about how to use baking soda for cleaning? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
How does baking soda work as a cleaner?
Baking soda is a mild alkaline that helps lift dirt and neutralize odors. It has gentle abrasive properties that allow it to break down grime and scrub surfaces clean. When baking soda interacts with acids like vinegar or lemon juice, it creates a fizzing chemical reaction that breaks up residue.
What types of surfaces can baking soda be used on?
Baking soda is safe for most surfaces including sealed stone, tile, stainless steel, finished wood, porcelain, enamel, glass, and plastics. Avoid using it on aluminum, unsealed marble, or unfinished wood. Always test on a small hidden area first.
How should baking soda cleaners be stored?
Store homemade cleaners containing baking soda in an airtight container in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. The cleaner will last for several months when stored properly.
Can I adjust the ratios when making cleaners?
Yes, you can customize the ratios of ingredients based on your cleaning needs. Maintain at least a 1:1 ratio of baking soda to vinegar or lemon juice for an effective cleaner. More baking soda can be added for extra scrubbing power.
What’s the benefit of pairing baking soda with other ingredients?
Other ingredients like dish soap, vinegar, and lemon juice boost baking soda’s cleaning properties. The combination helps lift stubborn grime, eliminate odors, and disinfect surfaces.
Conclusion
Baking soda is truly a powerhouse pantry staple. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make safe and effective homemade cleaners for bathrooms, kitchens, wood furniture, and all around your home. Harness the cleaning power of this versatile product to tackle dirt and grime in every room without using harsh chemicals. Get ready for sparkling clean surfaces with these 4 homemade cleaners made with baking soda!