Baking soda is a natural, effective cleaner—but it’s not the right choice for everything.
Some of our favorite pantry staples play double duty as natural cleaning agents. If you have items like vinegar and baking soda, you can clean just about anything in your home as well as if you were using a commercial cleaner. But just because you can use baking soda around your home doesn’t mean that everything should be cleaned with it.
Why Baking Soda Is Used to Clean Around the Home
“Baking soda is commonly used as a cleaning agent because its mildly abrasive nature makes it effective for scrubbing and stain removal on most surfaces,” says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company. “It can be used for various cleaning tasks and is an economical and environmentally friendly cleaning option.”
Baking soda is commonly combined with another solution, such as vinegar or water, to create a cleaning paste. (But be careful not to combine baking soda with certain solutions such as chlorine bleach, ammonia, or alcohol because these can cause dangerous chemical reactions.)
I’ve always loved how versatile baking soda is—it’s like the Swiss Army knife of my cleaning cabinet. Its gritty texture is perfect for tackling stubborn stains, and it’s a relief to know I’m using something that’s not harsh on the environment. Scientifically, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) works because it’s a mild base that neutralizes acids in stains like grease or coffee, breaking them down for easier removal. Plus, it’s super affordable—a box costs less than $2 at most stores, making it way cheaper than fancy cleaners. Just be sure to mix it with water or vinegar carefully, as I learned the hard way that combining it with the wrong stuff (like bleach) can create a fizzing mess or worse!
Why You Shouldn’t Use Baking Soda to Clean Certain Items
For as effective a cleaner as baking soda is, there are certain instances when you’ll want to choose something else. “Some drawbacks of baking soda include that its mildly abrasive nature can potentially harm delicate surfaces and if not thoroughly rinsed, it may leave behind a powdery residue,” says Mock.
Baking soda is also not adept at cleaning some stains, either. “While baking soda can help to remove some stains, it may not be effective against all types of stains,” says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of Aspen Clean. “Ink or certain dyes may require specialized stain removers.”
With that in mind, we asked Mock and Sokolowski what items you shouldn’t clean with baking soda around your home.
I’ve made the mistake of using baking soda on surfaces that didn’t take kindly to it, and let me tell you, that powdery residue is no fun to clean up! The abrasiveness comes from baking soda’s crystalline structure, which is great for scrubbing but can be too rough for delicate materials. For tough stains like ink, I’ve found that specialized removers, like those with enzymes, work better because they target specific chemical bonds in the stain. If you’re unsure, always test a small spot first—it’s saved me from a few cleaning disasters!
Electronic Devices
Baking soda is abrasive and gritty—two things you don’t want near any delicate electronic devices. “Avoid using baking soda on electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers,” says Sokolowski. “The abrasive texture of baking soda can scratch screens and damage delicate electronic components.”
I once tried using a baking soda paste to clean a smudged phone screen—big mistake! The tiny scratches it left were so frustrating. Instead, I now stick to microfiber cloths and a bit of distilled water for my gadgets. Studies show that scratched screens can reduce touch sensitivity by up to 10%, so it’s worth being cautious. For tougher smudges, a 50/50 mix of water and isopropyl alcohol (70% or less) is a safer bet, but always check your device’s manual first.
Some Jewelry
The last thing you want to do is damage any delicate jewelry, which can happen if you use baking soda to clean your necklaces or rings. “Baking soda can be too abrasive for delicate jewelry, especially items made of gold or silver,” Sokolowski says. “It may cause scratches or remove protective finishes.” Stick to using cleaners specifically made for your type of jewelry to avoid any harm to gold and silver.
I’ve got a soft spot for my grandmother’s silver necklace, and I’d be heartbroken if it got scratched. For gold and silver, I use a gentle jewelry cleaner with a soft cloth—it’s worth the extra few bucks to keep them sparkling. Jewelers often recommend solutions with ammonia for gold (diluted, of course!) or mild soap for silver. The abrasiveness of baking soda can wear down the thin protective coatings on some pieces, especially plated jewelry, reducing their shine over time.
Aluminum Cookware
Generally, cleaning your cookware with baking soda is ok, but you’ll want to steer clear of cleaning any aluminum pots and pans with it. “Baking soda can react with the aluminum surface of the cookware, potentially causing discoloration,” says Sokolowski.
I learned this one the hard way when my favorite aluminum pan turned a weird grayish color after a baking soda scrub. The chemical reaction happens because baking soda’s alkalinity can oxidize aluminum, leaving it dull. For aluminum, I stick to warm soapy water or a vinegar rinse for tough spots. If you’re dealing with stuck-on food, letting the pan soak in hot water for 10 minutes works wonders and saves the finish.
Waxed Furniture and Antiques
Waxed furniture and priceless antiques can potentially be scratched with baking soda. There are specific cleaning solutions that one can use for waxed furniture, and cleaning antiques may be best left to professionals.
My old waxed oak table is a family heirloom, and I wouldn’t dream of using baking soda on it. The wax finish is delicate, and baking soda can strip it away, leaving the wood vulnerable. I use a dedicated furniture polish, like one with beeswax, to keep it glossy. For antiques, I’ve found that consulting a professional cleaner every few years is worth it—they know how to handle delicate pieces without risking damage.
Stone Countertops
Natural stone countertops tend to be a bit more porous than other types of kitchen surfaces. You’ll want to avoid baking soda when scrubbing your stone countertops because of the potential for it to leave scratches. “Some stone countertops, especially those with polished finishes, may be susceptible to scratching from baking soda,” says Sokolowski. “Check with the manufacturer to avoid damaging the surface.”
My granite countertops are the pride of my kitchen, but they’re finicky! Baking soda’s abrasiveness can dull the polish, and its alkalinity might etch certain stones like marble. I stick to a pH-neutral cleaner, and I’ve noticed it keeps the shine intact. Industry stats suggest that improper cleaning can reduce a countertop’s lifespan by 20%, so it’s worth checking with your supplier for the right products. A quick wipe with a damp cloth usually does the trick for daily maintenance.
Cast Iron
Taking care of cast iron is easy if you know how to do it. Cast iron products like pans and pots should be seasoned effectively to make the surface nonstick. If you use baking soda to clean cast iron, you’re likely to strip away the seasoning. “Instead, opt for gentler cleaning methods, such as salt and lemon,” says Sokolowski. However, if you need to remove stubborn rust, baking soda will help do the job—just know that you will have to re-season the pan after cleaning.
My cast iron skillet is my go-to for cooking, but I made the rookie mistake of scrubbing it with baking soda once and lost that perfect nonstick layer. Now, I use coarse salt and a lemon half for cleaning—it’s gentle and smells great! The seasoning on cast iron is a polymerized oil layer, and baking soda’s alkalinity breaks it down. For rust, I’ve used baking soda sparingly, but I always re-season with a thin layer of oil and a quick bake in the oven at 350°F for an hour.
Marble Surfaces
Besides potentially scratching marble, baking soda has certain chemical properties that can react with marble, says Sokolowski. To clean marble, a solution of water and pH-neutral dish soap is your best bet.
Marble is so elegant but such a pain to maintain! Baking soda’s high pH can etch the surface, leaving dull spots that are tough to fix. I’ve found that a mix of warm water and a drop of dish soap works perfectly for my marble coffee table. If you’re dealing with a stain, a poultice made from hydrogen peroxide and a bit of flour can lift it out without damage—just let it sit for a day before wiping it off.
Clogged Drains with Aluminum Pipes
Always proceed with caution when using baking soda to unclog aluminum pipes. “If we often recommend baking soda to unclog drains, you have to use it with caution,” says Sokolowski. “It is typically more suitable to use with vinegar when draining non-aluminum components.”
I’ve used the baking soda and vinegar trick for drains before, and it’s like a science fair volcano in the best way! But with aluminum pipes, the reaction can cause corrosion over time. I stick to a plunger or a drain snake for those pipes to avoid any damage. For non-aluminum drains, pouring half a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar and letting it sit for 15 minutes usually does the trick, followed by a hot water rinse.
Wood Floors
Keep your wood floors looking beautiful by only using specific cleaners designed for wood flooring. Baking soda can scratch the finish on your floors.
My hardwood floors are my home’s crowning glory, and I’m super careful about what I use on them. Baking soda’s grit can scuff the polyurethane finish, making floors look dull. I use a cleaner formulated for wood floors, and I’ve noticed it keeps the shine longer. A quick tip: sweep or vacuum first to avoid pushing grit around, which can cause tiny scratches over time.
Glass Surfaces
Baking soda is “not suitable for cleaning glass surfaces like mirrors or windows,” says Mock, because you’re likely to scratch those surfaces.
I tried cleaning my bathroom mirror with baking soda once, and the faint scratches still haunt me when the light hits just right. Glass is surprisingly easy to scratch, so I stick to a mix of equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. It’s cheap, streak-free, and gets the job done. For stubborn spots, a microfiber cloth with a bit of rubbing alcohol works like a charm.
Smooth Stovetops
While baking soda can be used on some stovetops, if you have an electric stove with a glass or ceramic top, stick to using other degreasing agents to thoroughly clean it. Baking soda can leave a residue and scratch the surface.
My glass stovetop is a magnet for grease, but baking soda left a hazy film that was a pain to remove. I now use a dedicated glass stovetop cleaner or a mix of dish soap and warm water. For tough grease, letting a damp cloth sit on the spot for a few minutes softens it up, making it easier to wipe away without scratching.
