Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a kitchen staple in many households. In addition to being an essential ingredient in baking, it can also help you clean your kitchen. It is a natural, eco-friendly cleaner that is gentle yet effective in tackling dirt, grime, and odors.
Unlike harsh chemicals found in stores, sodium bicarbonate is non-toxic, making it safe to use around your food, children, or pets. That said, its biggest advantage lies in its versatility. There is little that you can’t do with baking soda. Whether you want to refresh your sink, get rid of deep stains on your countertop, or even deodorize your fridge, baking soda is the superhero every kitchen needs.
So, baking soda is great, but how can you use it most efficiently to clean your kitchen? Well, that’s what we will discuss in this blog. Let’s dive deep into the world of efficient and eco-friendly kitchen cleaning with sodium bicarbonate!
The power of baking soda in household cleaning
We have been using baking soda for cleaning for a long time now. Our ancestors realized the utility of this natural compound in cleaning long back. The power of this compound comes from its chemical nature.
Baking soda is an alkali, which, in simple terms, means a compound that can dissolve in water to create a basic solution. When you dissolve baking soda in water, the solution can dissolve dirt and grease, increasing the cleansing action of water several fold.
Similarly, when baking soda encounters an acid like citric acid, naturally found in foods, it produces carbon dioxide gas. The bubbling effect of the gas enhances the cleaning power, helping to lift stains and debris from various surfaces. Additionally, the crystals of baking soda are mildly abrasive. When you use them to scrub countertops and sinks, it will scrub the stain away without damaging the surface.
While baking soda has all these cleansing properties, the one thing that makes it better than commercial cleansers is its non-toxic nature. Most store-bought commercial cleaners contain harsh chemicals such as chlorine and surfactants, which can release toxic fumes and byproducts. Sodium bicarbonate is much gentler and won’t cause an issue even if it comes in contact with your bare skin.
Besides, you can use baking soda in many forms- dry powder, dissolved in water, or as a paste. This flexibility allows you to tailor its use to suit your needs.
Another advantage of baking soda over other chemical cleaners is the cost. You can replace multiple commercial cleaners with a single box of sodium carbonate, saving you a lot of money in the long run.
How can baking soda be efficiently used as a cleaner in the kitchen?
Sodium bicarbonate is a great natural cleaner to clean your kitchen, provided you know how to use it correctly. Before we dig deep into how to use it on various surfaces and for different purposes, let’s cover some general tips on how you can improve efficiency when cleaning your kitchen with sodium bicarbonate.
Make a paste
Making a paste of sodium bicarbonate is an excellent idea for most cleaning tasks. Take a small amount of water and add it to the soda in a bowl to make a thick paste. It is excellent for scrubbing surfaces as it has a mild abrasive action, and the best part is that it won’t scratch most surfaces.
If your stains are tough, let the paste sit on top for a few minutes before scrubbing it.
Always use a damp sponge
Whenever you are working with baking soda, always remember to wet your sponge with water. The moisture in the sponge will help activate the baking soda and make it easier for you to lift the stains and dirt.
Use the power of combination
You can get an extra cleaning boost when you combine sodium carbonate with other natural cleaners like vinegar and lemon juice. For instance, when you sprinkle baking soda on your dirty countertop and spray it with vinegar, it will create a fizzy reaction, lifting tough stains right off.
Test surfaces before using
Although baking soda is safe and won’t harm most surfaces in your kitchen, it is still a good idea to test a small section first. Use the paste and apply it to an inconspicuous area and look for any signs of discoloration or damage.
It is best to avoid sodium bicarbonate on sensitive surfaces like glass, as it can cause marks and abrasions. If you decide to use it on these surfaces, a solution is a better option than a paste.
Protect your skin
Baking soda draws moisture from your skin if exposed for a prolonged period. It is advisable to wear protective gloves when using baking soda for deep cleaning in the kitchen.
Now that you know how to use sodium bicarbonate effectively and safely, let’s move on to its usage on various surfaces in your kitchen.
Cleaning surfaces with baking soda
You can use baking soda on most surfaces in your kitchen. Here is how you can use it to keep your countertops and floors spotless:
Countertops
If your countertops are dirty, grimy, and greasy, baking soda can help you get them sparkling clean in no time. Here is a step-by-step guide to get the job done efficiently:
- Preparation: It’s important to prepare your countertop before cleaning. Start by removing any items from the countertop. Wipe away loose debris and crumbs with a dry cloth.
- Create a paste: Next, create a sodium carbonate paste by mixing it with a small amount of water. The goal is to create a paste that is consistent with your toothpaste. For added cleaning power, you can also mix in a few drops of dish soap.
- Apply: Use the paste and gently spread it on the countertop using a damp sponge or cloth. If you have tougher stains, you can scrub the paste in gentle circular motions.
- Rinse: Wipe the countertop with a clean, damp cloth to remove residue. For a sparkling finish, dry the surface with a soft towel.
If you follow these steps, you will see that your countertop is free from dirt and grime and looks sparkling clean.
Your cleaning strategy will change slightly depending on the type of countertop material as well. Here are the most common countertops and the best way to clean them with sodium bicarbonate.
- Granite: As granite is porous, you should use paste and limit water use to avoid damaging the sealant. Simply apply the paste, scrub gently, and rinse thoroughly to avoid leaving any white, powdery residue that could dull the surface.
- Laminate: For laminate countertops, baking soda works well to remove stains and grime. Avoid soaking with water, which can seep into the seams and cause swelling. Apply the paste, scrub gently, and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
- Marble: Marble is sensitive to acidic substances, so stick to a baking soda and water paste without adding vinegar or lemon juice. Apply gently and rinse thoroughly to prevent scratching.
Floors
You can use soda bicarbonate to clean your kitchen floors as well. Again, as we saw with countertops, you must customize the cleaning strategy depending on the floor material. Here are some of the most common floor materials and how you can use sodium bicarbonate to clean them:
- Tile: Baking soda is excellent for cleaning tile floors. You can use the paste to clean grout lines, as it won’t damage the sealant.
- Vinyl: If you have vinyl floors, baking soda paste can remove hard stains. Scrub gently to avoid scratching the surface. Rinse thoroughly and dry to prevent streaks.
- Linoleum: Linoleum floors can benefit from a baking soda scrub. Mix baking soda with water, apply to the floor, and scrub gently. Rinse well to avoid leaving a residue that could dull the finish.
- Hardwood: While sodium bicarbonate can be used on hardwood floors, we don’t recommend using it regularly. The best way to use it on such floors is as a spot cleaner. Use a paste to scrub a spot and wipe it clean with water gently.
Deep cleaning the oven with baking soda
Countertops and floors are not the only things you can clean with baking soda. You can also deep clean your oven with this eco-friendly cleaner. Here is a step-by-step guide to a sparkling clean oven:
Prepare your oven
Remove oven racks and any other removable items from your oven. You can also soak these items in soapy water with sodium bicarbonate to clean them separately. Also, wipe away debris, food particles, or burnt residue with a damp cloth.
Make a cleaning paste
The next step is to get your cleaning paste ready. For this, take about ½ cup of baking soda and mix it with enough water so a thick paste is formed. It should typically take a few tablespoonfuls of water to get the right consistency. Your goal is to make a spreadable paste.
Apply the paste
Now that the paste is ready, the next thing is to apply it all over the interior surface of your oven. Take care to avoid the heating element. Pay extra attention to areas with a grease buildup or burnt food residue. Don’t leave the vertical surfaces, either. You might need a thicker paste to prevent it from dripping from these surfaces.
Let it sit
Let the paste sit over the stains for a minimum of 12 hours, ideally overnight. This gives the sodium bicarbonate time to break down the grease and grime.
Wipe clean
The following day, wipe away the paste with a clean damp cloth. You might need to rinse the insides of your oven multiple times to remove all the residue.
Rinse with vinegar (Optional)
If you want a thorough clean or if your oven is filthy, spray the insides with vinegar water. The acid in the vinegar will chemically react with any remaining sodium bicarbonate, creating a foam that helps lift away any remaining grime.
Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
And just like that, your oven will be cleaner than ever, ready for the next batch of cookies or cake!
Other uses of baking soda in cleaning the kitchen
Apart from cleaning the countertops, floors, and ovens, you can use baking soda in many other ways in your kitchen spruce-up process.
From cleaning the fridge to unclogging the drains, here are some other uses of this cleaning agent in your kitchen:
Cleaning stains on pots and pans
Tough stains on pots and pans may be hard to clean with dish soap alone, but baking soda can ease this process. Here’s how to clean them effectively:
- Preparation: Wash the pot or pan with warm water to clear any debris or food particles that may be sticking to the bottom of the utensil.
- Apply baking soda: Just sprinkle a generous amount of powder directly on the stained areas. If the stain is particularly tough, use a small amount of water to make a paste.
- Let it sit: Leave the baking soda on the stain for at least fifteen minutes. If it is difficult to remove, the utensil can be left soaking for an hour or overnight.
- Scrub: Use a soft brush or sponge to work the cleaning paste into the affected area. Due to its mild abrasive properties, sodium bicarbonate can effectively loosen the stain for easy washing without damaging the surface of pots and pans.
- Rinse and repeat: Wash the pot or the pan with warm water to remove any soda residue.
Cleaning the fridge
You can use sodium bicarbonate to clean and deodorize your fridge as well. Here is how you can get it done effectively:
- Remove contents: As always, start by removing all the food items from the refrigerator. This is a good time to see if any of the products are expired, and if they are, then dispose of them.
- Prepare a cleaning solution: Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing 1 cup of soda with warm water.
- Wipe down surfaces: Take a clean cloth or a sponge and immerse it in the baking soda mixture, then wipe all the inner parts of the refrigerator. The baking soda will aid in cleaning the grime and in removing the stinking smell.
- Rinse and dry: Finally, rinse with water and use a clean, damp cloth to dry the surfaces, removing any remaining residue. Wipe the surface dry with a towel before returning food items to the refrigerator.
- Odor control: To ensure that your refrigerator has a good smell, put an opened box of baking soda on any of the shelves. The soda will absorb the smell without adding an artificial fragrance to your food. Remember to replace the box every three months for best results.
Unclogging the kitchen sink
Another great use of baking soda is to unclog your kitchen drain. The chemical unclogging agents available in the market are not good for your plumbing and can even damage your sink. Baking soda, on the other hand, is safe, gentle, and won’t damage the drainage pipes.
Here is how to use it to unclog your kitchen drain:
- Prepare the sink by clearing away any visible debris that may clog the opening.
- Next, pour 1 cup of sodium bicarbonate down the drain, followed by 1 cup of white vinegar in water. The baking soda, when mixed with vinegar, will cause a chemical reaction that will enable it to dissolve the clog.
- Don’t flush the drain with water for about 15-30 minutes.
- After the waiting period is over, scrub the drain with a toothbrush and then pour hot water over it to wash the debris down the drain. Repeat the same process if the clog is not cleared completely. Your clog should be eliminated in two or three tries.
- To avoid future blockages, occasionally use hot water and sodium bicarbonate to clean the drains.
Deodorizing the kitchen
Baking soda can also help combat the foul odors in your kitchen. Here are ways to use baking soda to keep your kitchen smelling fresh:
- Before putting a new garbage bag, pour baking soda on the bottom of the empty trash can. It will reduce smells from decomposing foods at the bottom of the can.
- Pour baking soda down the drain, followed by hot water, to neutralize unpleasant smells.
- To remove any food smell lingering in the microwave after use, put a small bowl of baking soda in the appliance overnight.
- Pour sodium bicarbonate at the bottom of the dishwasher, then start the wash cycle to eliminate odor and make your dishwasher fresh.
- You can create an air freshener at home by adding 4-5 drops of essential oil in a small bowl containing baking soda. Put it in the kitchen to ensure it smells fresh and clean.
Conclusion
Incorporating baking soda into your regular kitchen cleaning routine offers numerous benefits. It is a versatile, non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaner that effectively tackles stains, neutralizes odors, and is safe for various surfaces.
You can maintain a sparkling clean kitchen without relying on harsh chemicals when you use this fantastic cleaner. Make baking soda a staple in your household cleaning arsenal for a fresher, healthier home.
