Best Baking Sodas For Cleaning. Which Is Best For You?

There are 1,001 methods to use baking soda in your home if you follow our blog. A must-have item for cleaning at this time, and it’s for good reason! In order to keep up with the never-ending cleaning responsibilities of a busy household, you need something that’s safe, eco-friendly, powerful and versatile—and cheap.

You never know when you’re running low on baking soda because it’s constantly on hand. This all-purpose cleaning staple, baking soda, is in short supply, so we’ve put together a list of the best baking soda substitutes that you can use right now.

What Can Baking Soda Do?

Let’s take a look at what we’re replacing first before getting into baking soda alternatives. When it comes to baking soda, sodium bicarbonate (also known as baking powder) is the mildly alkaline salt of choice. When it comes to cleaning, baking soda offers all the attributes you need in a single product.

Baking soda’s rough texture makes it an excellent cleaning scrub for removing stubborn filth and removing stains. This is because baking soda’s small particles are powerful enough to remove grime yet gentle enough to avoid damaging delicate surfaces. You can use it on just about any surface, from metal fixtures to grout, to restore a smooth gloss.

Baking soda is a great scrub, but its chemical properties are what make it so popular. Baking soda, which has a slightly basic pH, forms carbon dioxide gas when it combines with an acidic substance and eliminates it. This is useful for a number of reasons when it comes to cleaning:

• Removes unpleasant scents from the air.
• Lifts grime and stains by reacting with vinegar to produce a fizzing reaction.
• Grease and food particles are broken down
• Washes away stains from clothing
• Softens the water in the washing machine to increase the effectiveness of the detergent.

Using baking soda to freshen up the appearance, scent, and atmosphere of your home is a no-brainer. With a few common household goods, it’s possible to substitute baking soda for all of your cleaning needs.

Cleaning with Baking Soda Alternatives

In some cases, sodium bicarbonate may be a better option than bleach or vinegar for removing mold and mildew since it is less abrasive. When you run out of baking soda, try one of these popular and cost-effective alternatives.

Surface Cleaners

While a more acidic cleaner might damage some surfaces, baking soda’s mild abrasiveness is ideal for them. Grout may be cleaned and brightened in no time with baking soda and a little scrubbing with vinegar. For sensitive surfaces, it’s an excellent technique to prevent scratching or fade, and ideal for removing porcelain stain and hard water deposits on metal to restore a like-new shine to the surface

Is there anything else you can use in its place? If you have hard water and dirty toilets, sinks, or tubs, you can use a spray bottle of white vinegar to remove persistent stains.

Spray your sink, counters, or metal surfaces with a mixture of white vinegar and water. Take your time before wiping it down. Just make sure to thoroughly rinse away any remaining vinegar. Allowing vinegar to rest too long and allowing the acetic acid to damage not only the stuck-on filth but also the surfaces beneath is a common cleaning blunder.

Instead of baking soda, try 3% hydrogen peroxide on your tile and grout. The effervescent liquid is effective at dissolving filth without damaging the fabric. For best results, let it remain for 30-60 minutes on your tile before rinsing and wiping it clean.

Drain Cleaners

Some people believe that by combining vinegar and baking soda, you may create a cleaner that is much more powerful than the two on their own. When the two are combined, all that is left is carbon dioxide (which quickly evaporates), water, and a trace amount of salt.

A spray bottle isn’t the best way to get rid of that.

As you may be aware, mixing vinegar and baking soda instantly produces an almost explosive chemical reaction, which comes in helpful when dealing with a clogged drain. For stubborn clogs, try a vinegar-and-baking-soda solution. Pour the vinegar down the drain, add some baking soda, and cover the opening.

It’s difficult to imagine a baking soda alternative that can have the same impact on clogs as a commercial drain cleaner. There are a few safer and more effective methods for cleansing a sink that just require a few common substances and home items.

• Stuck pipes can be cleared with a cup plunger.
• Flush the drain with hot water after pouring in 12 cup of vinegar, 14 cup of salt, and 14 cup of Borax.
• obstructions in the drain by pouring hot water with a few drops of dish soap down the drain

These alternatives are less convenient because you may have to let them stay for 30-60 minutes before cleaning your drain to remove the residue. Nevertheless, in a pinch, this is preferable to dashing to the shop and purchasing a new box of baking soda.

Carpet Cleaning

Baking soda, when combined with an acidic substance, is ideal for liquid stains in carpets since it is absorbent, odor-neutralizing, and oxidizing. However, it isn’t the only option for DIY carpet cleaning after a spill.

Salt or cornmeal can be used to soak up excess liquid if needed. Scraping and vacuuming will be a breeze once they’ve absorbed all of the moisture.

Absorbing oil and grease is a big benefit of using baking soda. Several liquid alternatives to baking soda can be used to remove these types of stains. Instead of using a commercial carpet cleaner, use these common household items:

• Soda made with club soda
• Bleach (H2O2)
• Dishwashing liquid and vinegar
• Making a paste with rubbing alcohol

The only thing you need to do is apply the cleanser, let it sit for a few minutes, and then blot it off with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Replacing Baking Soda in the Laundry

When you’re doing a lot of laundry, sodium bicarbonate is a lifesaver. It reduces odors and enhances the performance of your washing detergents. It takes less detergent or bleach to clean your clothes and they come out smelling better and looking brighter.

If you’ve run out of baking soda but still want to get things sparkling clean, try this: Try one of these alternatives:

• Add a quarter cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle to get rid of stains and odors.
• Apply white vinegar and let it remain for an hour before cleaning the stained area.
• To achieve whiter garments, add a cup of hydrogen peroxide to the washing machine before you begin the cycle..
• Pre-soaking garments in hot water for an hour before washing using lemon slices and boiling water brightens clothes.
• Borax can be added to the washing machine before to beginning a load to increase the cleaning effectiveness of your detergent.

Deodorizing Without Baking Soda

An old standby for odor control, baking soda can be used in any room of the house, from the refrigerator to the carpet. Airborne particles’ acidity is neutralized and bad odors are eliminated because of the base properties of this substance.

White vinegar is an excellent substitute for baking soda when it comes to eliminating nasty odors from carpet, clothing, and mattresses. Dirt particles trapped in fibers and odor-causing microorganisms are broken down by the enzyme. The vinegar smell will fade after it evaporates, so don’t worry about adding another foul odor to your home.

Eliminating Fridge Odors

Baking soda is a must-have item for those of us who want to keep our food fresh and our fridges smelling pleasant. If you run out of baking soda, try these other methods for eliminating unpleasant odors:

• Coffee grounds that have been sifted
• Oats that have been soaked in water are called “dry oat
• A towel soaked in vinegar
• Litter for cats that is not perfumed

Get your fridge smelling fresher in no time at all by putting any of these ingredients in a dish and placing it at the back. After deodorizing, use cotton balls soaked in vanilla extract to revive the aroma.

Baking Soda Scrub Alternative

When it comes to maintaining pristine surfaces, there are few household items that can match baking soda’s gentle cleaning ability. While table salt can be an excellent abrasive, many countertop and fixture materials are too coarse for it to be used.

White toothpaste, which usually contains baking soda, is the finest baking soda substitute when you need a mild scrape. All kinds of objects can be whitened and stained using white toothpaste thanks to the white toothpaste’s abrasive crystals. It can remove crayon marks, polish metal, whiten rubber on shoes, and even remove minor scratches from the surface.

Try Out Baking Soda Alternatives Today!

See which of these cleaning techniques you prefer after experimenting with a few different options. Using one of these smart substitutes may even outperform baking soda in some of your cleaning endeavors! You’ll be able to handle any task that comes your way.

Baking soda alone won’t always do the trick when it comes to cleaning. When time is short and the mess is enormous, you can count on Anita’s to provide a helping hand. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you locate the best local cleaning service for your needs!

5 Natural Cleaning Substitutes You Can Make At Home

Get On Your Brightest Clean

Most of us focus on getting rid of filth, dust, and germs in our houses when we think about cleaning them. In contrast, many common household cleaning products are laced with chemicals that can be damaging to the health of both our bodies and our houses. To ensure that your home is as clean as possible, here are five natural and environmentally friendly substitutes for household cleaning products.

1. Borax

Borax is a salt compound that can be used in a variety of ways at home. Pour some in the toilet, give it a swish with the toilet brush, and then let it sit and flush. Shower and bath scrub: make a paste and apply to skin. One of the many uses of borax is to clean carpets, as well as to deodorize garbage cans. In the kitchen (or bathroom) sink, it is a must-have item for a greener cleaning experience. At hardware stores or in the laundry aisle at big-box retailers, you’ll usually find Borax powder.

2. Essential Oils

There is a good reason why essential oils are so popular right now. Essential oils are not only beneficial to the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of a person, but they can also be used to clean. Toxic chemicals present in our typical cleaning supplies are no match for the anti-bacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic qualities of these products. They’re inexpensive, but you get a lot of product for your money. Lemon, Tea Tree (Melaleuca), and Peppermint essential oils are a must-have for a “greener clean” lifestyle.

In the laundry room, Lemon essential oil dissolves stains and brightens whites, shines white floors, and removes stickiness, grease, and filth from any DIY room spray. Lemon essential oil is cold pressed from the peel. You may buy it at natural food stores or on Amazon at a discount.

One of the most effective essential oils for combating mold and mildew in the home is tea tree, which is antibacterial, anti-septic, and even anti-fungal. From sinks to windowsills to toilet seats to floor tiling, everything in a home is subject to water damage. Spray these areas with a mixture of water and this product. If necessary, give the area a scrub before applying the spray and not rinsing. Adding this oil to your laundry detergent can help you get rid of laundry bacteria as well as offer a therapeutic aroma to your clothes. Tea Tree oil is the best essential oil for cleaning if you were to choose just one.

On the surface, Peppermint can be added to a spray bottle of water for surface sprays, such as on counters in a kitchen or bathroom. Adding a few drops around the windows and doorways will help keep pests at bay.

3. Baking Soda

Baking Soda, like Borax, is a powdered chemical with a wide range of applications. As a laundry detergent, it can be used as a deodorizer, but it can also be mixed into a paste to scrub tiles and tubs. Teeth whitening is another benefit! Baking soda is readily available at most supermarkets, pharmacies, and big-box retailers like Walmart and Target. 4. White vinegar

A cleaner, healthier routine includes a lot of white vinegar. You can use it to destroy mold, remove stains from surfaces and clothing, disinfect surfaces, clean your windows, and more. Adding vinegar to a spray bottle with water and essential oils of your choosing is an easy (and healthy) cleaning solution. What if you’ve forgotten to put your clothes in the dryer? Adding a few tablespoons of vinegar to your washing machine will remove the musty odor from your garments. This is a must-have item to keep on hand at all times.

5. Hydrogen Peroxide

With just water and oxygen as its ingredients, hydrogen peroxide is an extremely harmless disinfectant. You can use either plain 3 percent hydrogen peroxide or a 50/50 mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle to use inside your refrigerator or counters. Sterilize wooden cutting boards by applying to them. Adding baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to your drains is a simple approach to get rid of any buildup that may be clogging them. Because it’s friendly on septic systems, hydrogen peroxide works well as a toilet bowl cleaner as well. A wonderful laundry option for bleach, it may also be used to whiten and remove stains from your clothes. Toss in a cup of it with the rest of your supplies. The bristles of your toothbrush can be sterilized by immersing them for a few minutes, followed by a thorough rinsing. As a whole, Hydrogen Peroxide is an excellent addition to your quest for a more environmentally friendly cleaning method.

Cleaning products don’t have to be boring. Here are five simple options. Many of these you may already have on hand and can begin to build our own, simple and cost-effective cleaning solutions. Going with the single building blocks of the cleaning replacements is a simple, less expensive, and more imaginative way to make your own cleaning agent. Make cleaning a little more enjoyable!

What happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar?

Using baking soda and vinegar to clean your home is a popular cleaning method for many people. Brian Sansoni, an expert in all things cleaning, says that each has its own unique sanitizing benefits. The natural deodorizer and fine abrasive properties of baking soda make it ideal for cleaning and removing odors, according to Sansoni. Hard water stains are no match for vinegar’s stain-lifting abilities. According to Sansoni, combining baking soda and vinegar produces salty water and carbon dioxide gas when the acid (vinegar) and the base (baking soda) are combined. As Sansoni puts it, “The reaction appears clean at first glance, but if you delve deeper you discover that you are left with saltwater.” Using the agitation of the fizzy reaction itself can assist break up and remove dirt, but there is no long-term benefit. “” According to Sansoni, this combination is visually good in breaking up muck, but it isn’t necessarily the most effective method of disinfection and sanitization. One of the cleaning myths you should dispel is that it is a foolproof method of cleaning.

5 Best Baking Soda and Vinegar Cleaning Solutions

1. Clean a stainless steel kitchen sink

Although Sansoni advises against using baking soda and vinegar as your first line of defense, other cleaning experts believe the combo could be useful in specific cases. Neighborly Brand Director Sarah Brunette says that the frothy and paste-like material breaks up and eliminates scum or oil, like that in your kitchen sink drain.

Here’s how to clean your kitchen sink:

Rinse the sink after scrubbing it with baking soda and water. To clean the rim and caulk, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and the same paste. Line the sink with white vinegar-soaked paper towels. Allow for a minimum of 20 minutes. Using rubbing alcohol for home cures is a great way to save money.

Here’s how to clean your drain:

On top of the baking soda and vinegar, Brunette suggests a generous sprinkle. After the bubbling has stopped, run a pot of boiling water down the drain. To clean the faucet, use paper towels soaked in vinegar and soapy water.

2. Make a bathroom cleaner

This cleaner is safe to use on all bathroom surfaces, including toilets and bathtubs. Commercial products can’t match its ability to remove soap scum and mildew, but it costs only cents.

You can produce your own cleanser by following these instructions:

Baking soda and liquid soap, equal parts, should be combined in a large bowl. Add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar to 1/2 cup of water and mix well. Fork-stir the mixture until lumps are gone. Spray the solution into a bottle. Before using, make sure to give it a good shake. Cleanse by squirting on the desired spot. Use a nylon-backed sponge to scrub the area. Then flush it down the drain with a hose. Use only when completely enclosed.

3. Remove stains on the carpet

Baking soda and vinegar, on their own, are excellent degreasers. You can use vinegar to clean your carpet.

Here’s how to use vinegar to get carpet stains out:

2 tablespoons of salt diluted in 1/2 cup of white vinegar can be used to remove minor carpet stains. Vacuum when the solution has dried. Add 2 teaspoons of borax to the mixture and use it in the same way for larger or darker stains.

4. Boost laundry detergent

Adding half a cup of baking soda to your typical amount of liquid laundry detergent can give you brighter colors, even though it sounds like a cliche. In addition to softening the water, baking soda also reduces the amount of detergent you need to use. Bleach’s potency can be increased by adding 1/2 cup baking soda to top-loading machines (1/4 cup to front-loaders), using just half the typical amount of bleach. There are 11 things that you should never clean with baking soda, despite the fact that it is a laundry staple in many households.

5. Refresh the fridge

You may be surprised to learn that vinegar is a safer and more effective alternative to baking soda for cleaning your refrigerator. For cleaning the interior and exterior of your fridge’s vegetable and fruit bins as well as the door gasket, mix white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. Use a cloth and full-strength vinegar to clean the inside walls and bin inside to prevent mildew formation. Wipe the dust and grime from your refrigerator’s top with undiluted vinegar. To keep your refrigerator smelling fresh, you’ll need to keep a box of baking soda in there. Even if you use baking soda and vinegar to clean your fridge and kitchen on a regular basis, you’re still likely to be doing any of these 11 kitchen cleaning blunders.

FAQs

What is a good substitute for baking soda for cleaning?

Because of its strong acidity, white vinegar is a natural cleaning product rather than a powder. Like baking soda, vinegar can be used to destroy mold, remove stains from textiles, and deodorize. Unlike powdered cleaners, vinegar can be added to a spray bottle along with water for a more convenient application.

Is bicarbonate of soda the same as baking soda for cleaning?

Bicarbonate of soda and baking soda are same. Bicarbonate of soda is known as baking soda in the UK and Australia.

Is it safe to mix vinegar and baking soda for cleaning?

Baking soda is basic, while vinegar is acidic, according to Bock. There is a lot of water and sodium acetate in the mixture when they are placed together. The majority of it is water, though. Baking soda produces froth when exposed to vinegar. The mixture can explode if it is kept in a closed container.

What is baking soda harmful to?

High levels of sodium in baking soda have been shown to have a negative effect on the heart. According to a case study published in 2016, baking soda overdose can lead to cardiac arrhythmias in certain people. Overdoses of baking soda have also been known to result in cardiac arrest.

Can you use baking powder instead of baking soda for cleaning?

Following a cleaning advice, don’t swap baking soda for baking powder because they aren’t chemically the same. Baking powder may have some cleaning properties, but it isn’t suggested for cleaning because it is only meant to be used in baking.

How do I use baking soda to clean my bathroom?

Using baking soda and water, create a thick paste. A sponge or nylon brush can be used to apply the paste to the wet surface of the tub or shower stall. Rinse thoroughly to remove any traces of dirt and debris. You should never use an abrasive cleanser (such as ordinary scouring powder), any abrasive scouring pad, steel wool, or a scraper to clean your kitchen or bathroom surfaces.

Can you clean with white vinegar?

Dissolving hard-water deposits, eliminating some household bacteria, and cutting through filth are some of the many benefits of using distilled white vinegar diluted with water to around 5% acidity.