Baking soda is perhaps the most versatile product in your pantry. Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda is an alkaline compound that, when mixed with an acid (such as vinegar, lemon juice, or buttermilk), produces tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide gas, perfect for leavening muffins, breads, and cookies to make them fluffy and airy.
       But its uses go far beyond baking our favorite cakes and cookies. Baking soda’s natural abrasive texture and chemical properties make it ideal for cleaning around the home, especially when it comes to scrubbing away dirt, removing odors, and removing tough stains. “Baking soda is an economical and eco-friendly cleaning option,” says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid. “It’s also an all-purpose cleaner that can handle a variety of cleaning tasks.”
       We spoke to cleaning experts to get their best tips for using baking soda to clean your home.
       Trash cans naturally develop a smell over time. However, you can eliminate odors by sprinkling some baking soda inside. “You can also mix it with water and use it as a spray to clean and remove odors from the inside,” says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of Aspen Clean.
       Baking soda is an effective bleaching and stain remover, and sometimes there’s nothing more difficult than removing coffee and tea stains from our favorite ceramic mugs. Simply sprinkle the baking soda into the mug and gently scrub with a damp sponge, says Sokolowski.
       Oven grates are subject to wear and tear. Grease, oil, crumbs, and more can easily stick to them while you cook. “Soak the grates in a bath of baking soda and hot water,” says Sokolowski. “After a few hours, scrub them with a brush.”
       In general, you should avoid mixing baking soda with acids like vinegar because they can create bubbles that can cause a burn. But when a drain is badly clogged, this reaction can be helpful. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, then half a cup of white vinegar. Close the drain and let it sit for 30 minutes. “Then use hot water to flush out the debris,” says Sokolowski.
       Baking soda’s natural abrasive properties make it a great grout cleaner. You can make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the blackened grout, then scrub it with a toothbrush.
       Sure, you can use a special toilet bowl cleaner to clean your toilet, but a more natural and eco-friendly way to remove stains and keep your toilet fresh is to use baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda into the toilet, let it sit for a while, and then scrub it with a toilet brush.
       Pre-treating clothes with baking soda is a simple and effective way to remove tough stains from clothing. “Soak the garment in hot water and baking soda for several hours or overnight,” says Sokolowski.
       Additionally, you can boost the cleaning power of your regular detergent by adding baking soda to your laundry routine. “Adding baking soda to your laundry routine can help remove odors and make whites brighter,” says Dyers.
       Baking soda’s laundry uses extend beyond washing clothes—it can also effectively clean your washing machine. “Use baking soda during the empty cycle to clean the drum and remove odors,” says Sokolowski.
       Use baking soda to scrub away stubborn burnt-on residue. “Baking soda is great for cleaning ovens, pots and pans, and other kitchen utensils,” says Dyers. “Simply make a paste out of baking soda and water and apply it to the cookware. Let it sit on the cookware for 15 to 30 minutes before scrubbing away the residue.”
       Shower doors are prone to limescale and mineral deposits. Use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to get your shower doors sparkling again. Tommy Patterson, director of new product development and technical training at Glass Doctor, a company located next door, suggests first soaking a paper towel in hot white vinegar and applying it to the door and track. Then let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes. “The slightly acidic nature of the vinegar allows it to penetrate and loosen mineral deposits,” he says. Then gently wipe the door with a damp cloth or sponge dipped in baking soda. “Don’t scrub too hard or you’ll scratch it,” says Patterson.
       Finally, rinse the door with distilled water to remove the vinegar and baking soda. “If limescale remains, repeat the baking soda cleaning until all the deposits are removed,” he says.
       Use the deodorizing properties of baking soda to clean your carpet. Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet, let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum it up.
       Cleaning your mattress is essential for your health (after all, you spend a lot of time on it). Sprinkle baking soda on your mattress and let it sit for a few minutes before vacuuming to remove odors from your mattress. Or, if you need to remove stains, mix vinegar and baking soda. Spray the vinegar on the stain first, then sprinkle baking soda on top. Cover it with a towel and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming.
       Sprinkle baking soda on your shoes to get rid of the unpleasant smell. Just remember to sprinkle the soda before putting your shoes on.
       Cooktops can become dirty if they are clogged with food or grease. Cleaning the cooktop with a paste of baking soda and water can remove the dirt and restore the cooktop to its clean condition. But keep in mind that some cooktops, such as those with smooth glass, are easily scratched. Use a different type of cleaner.
       Keeping a wooden cutting board in good condition requires some care. You can clean your cutting board by wiping it with half a lemon and a little baking soda. This will help lighten stains and remove any residual odors.
       To eliminate odors in your fridge, you don’t even have to take the baking soda out of the package. Most boxes of baking soda come with mesh side panels that allow you to remove the lid of the paper box to reveal the mesh sides. Just pop one in the fridge and let it work its deodorizing magic.
       Use baking soda to clean dull stainless steel sinks, fixtures, and appliances to make them look like new. For sinks: Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda into the sink, then scrub stains and grime with a damp microfiber cloth or sponge, then rinse with cold water. For appliances and fixtures like faucets, first sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth and gently wipe the stainless steel to get it clean and shiny.
       A natural and eco-friendly way to restore the natural shine of silver is to simply make a paste of baking soda and water. Soak the silver in the baking soda paste and let it sit for a few minutes (up to 10 minutes for heavily tarnished silver). Then rinse with cool water and gently buff with a cloth.
       The only exception is if your silver has oxidized and developed a patina and you want to preserve it. “Baking soda can remove patina from some silver items, such as jewelry or decorative pieces,” says Sokolowski. “It’s best to use a silver cleaner or polishing cloth to maintain the desired patina on your silver.”
       It’s no secret that food storage containers can become stained after repeated use, such as storing ingredients like red sauce. If rinsing in the dishwasher isn’t enough, sprinkle some baking soda and water into the container and let it sit overnight. Rinse off the baking soda paste the next morning and enjoy your new, stain-free container.
       Be careful when using baking soda, however, as its abrasive properties make it unsuitable for cleaning everything around the home. “Baking soda is an abrasive, so it’s not suitable for cleaning glass surfaces like mirrors or windows, certain flat surfaces, or finished wood furniture/floors,” says Mock. You also shouldn’t use it on aluminum cookware, natural stone surfaces, gold-plated items, electronic devices, or precious stones like pearls and opals.
       “Avoid cleaning surfaces that scratch easily, such as aluminum or marble,” says Dyers. Baking soda can also react with some materials, such as aluminum, causing discoloration.
       Of course, you want to be safe when using baking soda to clean your home and surrounding area, so make sure you don’t mix baking soda with the following products.
       In some cases, mixing these substances simply makes baking soda less effective. This happens, for example, when it is mixed with alcohol. But in other cases, harmful chemical reactions can occur. Oxygen and other toxic gases can be released when baking soda is mixed with hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, chlorine bleach, or chemical cleaners in a closed container.
       In most cases, simply mixing water with baking soda will achieve the desired cleaning results.