Cleaning with Bicarbonate of Soda: 23 Top Uses

It’s time for a spring clean! 

And what better way to clean than with the humble but mighty bicarbonate of soda?

This traditional product has been used for over a century and is known for its abrasive and deodorising properties, along with its ability to clean and scour to perfection. In fact, there’s almost nothing it can’t do.

Cleaning with bicarbonate of soda (AKA baking soda) is not only easy but cost-effective and eco-friendly. And its ability to take on so many different tasks means you don’t have to buy quite so many cleaning products, so you can save space in your cleaning cupboard! It really is a winner. Find out its top uses right here.

What can you clean with bicarbonate of soda? The answer is: lots! From your bathroom to your kitchen to your living room carpets, it can take on a multitude of tasks all around the home. 

1) Freshen Carpets

Bicarbonate of soda for cleaning carpets is a must. Mix 10-20 drops of any essential oil with a cup of bicarbonate of soda and sprinkle liberally on your carpet. Leave it for a few hours and then vacuum it up.

2) Remove Odours from Fridges

Place a bowl of bicarb in the fridge in a bowl – or you could simply use an open packet – to absorb any strong smells for up to a month.  

3) Clean Washing Machines

Using bicarbonate of soda for cleaning washing machines is very effective. We have a whole guide on how to clean washing machines with this versatile product – give it a read and you’ll never clean any other way! 

4) Clean Toilets and Remove Limescale

Combine ½ cup bicarbonate of soda with ½ cup of citric acid and ½ cup of borax substitute, along with a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Mix together and simply add a tablespoon full into the toilet bowl. It’s great for fizzing away limescale that’s built up in the bowl too – just use the toilet brush on it after five minutes to make the most of its abrasive qualities. Repeat or add more if your limescale is particularly bad. 

5) Polish Sterling Silver Jewellery

Cleaning silver with bicarb is both easy and effective. Line a pan with aluminium foil, add a cup of boiling water, and then add a tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda. Place your silver in the pan, ensuring it touches the foil to create a reaction, and wait for around 30 seconds for the tarnish to fizz off. Remove the silver with some tongs and then buff it dry. Repeat as necessary for very tarnished pieces. 

6) Clean Your Oven

Combine bicarbonate soda and water to create a paste. Apply to the walls of the oven with a small spatula, taking care not to apply to metal parts, and leave it for an hour. Scrub heavier areas of dirt with a damp cloth when you remove it and spray a little vinegar onto any residue so it fizzes. Then simply wipe off the rest.

7) Clean Surfaces

Sprinkle onto a damp cloth and use in bathtubs, sinks, fridges and other surfaces that you don’t want to scratch. It’s abrasive enough to tackle dirt but gentle enough not to cause damage. 

8) Remove Stains on Painted Walls

If your child’s drawn on your walls with crayon, apply bicarbonate of soda to a damp cloth or sponge and gently rub the marks off. 

9) Clean Sealant

Sprinkle some onto the sealant around your bath if it’s gone yellow or is covered in grime. Then spray on some white vinegar, let it fizz for 30 seconds or so, and rub off with a cloth. 

10) Freshen Cat Litter Trays

Simply sprinkle under the litter to keep it fresh. 

11) Refresh Cleaning Cloths/Dishcloths

Sprinkle your dishcloth or cleaning cloth with bicarb and spray with white vinegar. No need for bleach when you can do it the eco-friendly way! 

12) Get Rid of Stains on Plastic Food Containers

Food containers stain easily, especially when sauces are kept in them. Wipe them down with a sponge and some bicarb or, for really tough stains, soak them in a solution of water and a few tablespoons of this household essential. 

13) Tackle Tough Kitchen Dirt

When it comes to extra-grimy areas, you can always rely on your trusty bicarb. Simply mix some with water and scrub and filthy areas on countertops, microwaves, sinks and more.

14) Remove Stubborn Dirt on Pans 

Sometimes, plain old washing up liquid just won’t cut it, so use bicarb’s gentle abrasive power to get rid of any stubborn grease and grime. 

15) Freshen Up Pet Beds

Is Buster’s bed smelling less than great? Sprinkle some bicarb on it, leave it for 15 minutes and vacuum it up. 

16) Clean Dust-covered Stuffed Toys

If some of your children’s toys have been gathering dust, pop them in a bag with 100g of bicarbonate of soda and give it a shake. The bicarb will help draw out the dust. Then simply vacuum the residue away.

17) Whiten Laundry

If your whites are looking past their best and you want to avoid using laundry bleach, add some bicarb to the wash, along with your usual detergent, and it’ll make your whites whiter.

18) Remove Stains on Clothes

Make a paste with six tablespoons of bicarb and 200ml of warm water, rub it into the stain and let it work its magic before popping the item into the washing machine. For oily stains, leave the mixture on overnight. 

19) Freshen Smelly Trainers

This odour-busting agent is perfect for removing smells from trainers. Sprinkle it inside and tip it out a couple of hours later, or leave it for longer if they’re particularly bad! 

20) Prevent Bin Odours

Simply add some bicarb to the bottom of the bin bag to neutralise any odours.

21) Clean Your Barbecue

Thanks to its gentle abrasive power, this trusty cleaning agent is ideal for removing tough dirt on barbecue grills. Use it in conjunction with soda crystals if you need some extra power. Find out how to clean a barbecue thoroughly in our handy guide, complete with a handy video to follow.

22) Freshen Musty Wardrobes

Mix bicarbonate of soda with a little lemon juice in a small dish to absorb unpleasant odours in a room, or put some in some ladies’ tights and ‘hide’ in a drawer or wardrobe.

23) Clear Blocked Drains

Pour a little bicarb down the drain with its best friend, white vinegar, and let it fizz up and work its magic. Wait five minutes and flush it with hot, boiled water.

As you can see, there aren’t many tasks that bicarbonate of soda can’t take on! From carpets to fridges to pet beds and lots more, it can do it all. For more eco cleaning products like this, check out our Eco Shop and make your entire spring clean planet-friendly.