When it comes to cleaning a home, baking soda has long been a go-to product that seems to have an endless source of potential. From removing fabric stains to scrubbing down kitchen counters, baking soda has proven to be an incredibly versatile cleaning product. With so many beneficial uses it can be difficult to keep in mind that there are items that should never be combined with baking soda.
It’s easy to fall into the habit of using baking soda for every cleaning project, but this convenient product is not an all-purpose answer to cleaning questions. In fact, there are some items that can quickly become damaged if baking soda is the first line of attack. Take a moment to consider these everyday items that require an alternative cleaning method to baking soda to maintain their original integrity.
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1. Marble
Marble countertops are beautiful and durable, but cleaning them with a baking soda mix can lead to unpleasant scratching. The naturally abrasive texture of baking soda combined with the absorbent nature of unfinished marble can lead to unsightly stains and scratches over time. It is recommended that those with sealed marble countertops avoid cleaning with baking soda.
Marble countertops are beautiful and durable, but cleaning them with a baking soda mix can lead to unpleasant scratching. The naturally abrasive texture of baking soda combined with the absorbent nature of unfinished marble can lead to unsightly stains and scratches over time. It is recommended that those with sealed marble countertops avoid cleaning with baking soda.
2. Granite
Similar to marble countertops, granite is a very porous material that is stunning but difficult to keep clean. Baking soda is never a wise choice when it comes to cleaning granite, particularly surfaces left unsealed. Granite quickly absorbs baking soda, which leads to stains. Granular particles that make up baking soda also tend to scratch untreated granite surfaces, dulling the overall shine.
Similar to marble countertops, granite is a very porous material that is stunning but difficult to keep clean. Baking soda is never a wise choice when it comes to cleaning granite, particularly surfaces left unsealed. Granite quickly absorbs baking soda, which leads to stains. Granular particles that make up baking soda also tend to scratch untreated granite surfaces, dulling the overall shine.
3. Aluminum pans
Even though baking soda will not scratch an aluminum surface, it can potentially change its color. If baking soda sits on or soaks for an extended period of time in aluminum cookware without being rinsed out, the pan will inevitably oxidize. This process leaves the pan with an entirely new and generally unpleasant hue that can't be undone.
Even though baking soda will not scratch an aluminum surface, it can potentially change its color. If baking soda sits on or soaks for an extended period of time in aluminum cookware without being rinsed out, the pan will inevitably oxidize. This process leaves the pan with an entirely new and generally unpleasant hue that can't be undone.
4. Gold plate
Gold plating on dinnerware or placed as a lining around glasses is an elegant feature but extremely prone to scratching and wear. Although baking soda is only mildly abrasive, it’s still enough to cause damage on this very particular material. Avoid at all costs to extend the life of gold-plated goods.
Gold plating on dinnerware or placed as a lining around glasses is an elegant feature but extremely prone to scratching and wear. Although baking soda is only mildly abrasive, it’s still enough to cause damage on this very particular material. Avoid at all costs to extend the life of gold-plated goods.
5. Silver
Not to be confused with traditional silverware, baking soda should never be used to polish antique silver pieces. Unless a piece is guaranteed to be made entirely of sterling silver, there is a good chance that a baking soda cleanse will scratch and damage the fine finish. Stick with a name-brand polish or warm water approach when it comes to keeping antique silver shining.
Not to be confused with traditional silverware, baking soda should never be used to polish antique silver pieces. Unless a piece is guaranteed to be made entirely of sterling silver, there is a good chance that a baking soda cleanse will scratch and damage the fine finish. Stick with a name-brand polish or warm water approach when it comes to keeping antique silver shining.
6. Hair
Although baking soda is ideal for removing stains and oils from fabrics, the same approach should not be applied to human hair. Many people assume that the abrasive nature of baking soda makes it a helpful scalp cleanser, but the natural acidity causes excessive drying, leaving hair brittle and damaged. Additionally, baking soda can potentially cause irritation on the scalp, leading to uncomfortable itching. A standard shampoo is a better option when it comes to keeping a healthy head of hair.
Although baking soda is ideal for removing stains and oils from fabrics, the same approach should not be applied to human hair. Many people assume that the abrasive nature of baking soda makes it a helpful scalp cleanser, but the natural acidity causes excessive drying, leaving hair brittle and damaged. Additionally, baking soda can potentially cause irritation on the scalp, leading to uncomfortable itching. A standard shampoo is a better option when it comes to keeping a healthy head of hair.
7. Stovetops
Cleaning a stovetop with baking soda is a quick way to create more cleaning work in the home. Although baking soda will successfully disinfect a stovetop, it also leaves behind a hard-to-clean film that takes several wipedowns to fully remove. That film is more visible on dark-toned surfaces and often requires the use of all-purpose cleaners to eliminate.
Cleaning a stovetop with baking soda is a quick way to create more cleaning work in the home. Although baking soda will successfully disinfect a stovetop, it also leaves behind a hard-to-clean film that takes several wipedowns to fully remove. That film is more visible on dark-toned surfaces and often requires the use of all-purpose cleaners to eliminate.
8. Stainless steel surfaces
In the same way baking soda leaves an unpleasant film on stove tops, a similar result can be seen when baking soda is used on stainless steel. From the surfaces of refrigerators to kettles, stainless steel is much more easily shined with warm water and dish soap as compared to baking soda. Streaks left behind by a baking soda mix come alongside the potential for scratching. It often takes several wipedowns with all-purpose cleaner to eliminate the problem entirely.
In the same way baking soda leaves an unpleasant film on stove tops, a similar result can be seen when baking soda is used on stainless steel. From the surfaces of refrigerators to kettles, stainless steel is much more easily shined with warm water and dish soap as compared to baking soda. Streaks left behind by a baking soda mix come alongside the potential for scratching. It often takes several wipedowns with all-purpose cleaner to eliminate the problem entirely.
9. Wood floors
Wood flooring requires regular polishing to remain in tiptop shape, but when in doubt, avoid a baking soda-based solution to tackle wood floors. When baking soda is left for an extended period of time on wood, the result is often a white mark that proves nearly impossible to scrub out. Replace baking soda solutions with a wood floor polish as a more secure way of shining natural floors.
Wood flooring requires regular polishing to remain in tiptop shape, but when in doubt, avoid a baking soda-based solution to tackle wood floors. When baking soda is left for an extended period of time on wood, the result is often a white mark that proves nearly impossible to scrub out. Replace baking soda solutions with a wood floor polish as a more secure way of shining natural floors.
10. Car exteriors
They look durable, but the paint on vehicle exteriors is highly prone to scratching. A baking soda and lemon oil mix that works wonders on countertops is not suitable for car surfaces. Abrasive particles in baking soda easily make their way through paint, leaving a car looking less than pristine. Avoid potential damage by keeping baking soda in the home and using an exterior duster on the car.
They look durable, but the paint on vehicle exteriors is highly prone to scratching. A baking soda and lemon oil mix that works wonders on countertops is not suitable for car surfaces. Abrasive particles in baking soda easily make their way through paint, leaving a car looking less than pristine. Avoid potential damage by keeping baking soda in the home and using an exterior duster on the car.
11. Mirrors
Baking soda is highly effective on laminate surfaces, but those same qualities can prove detrimental on glass. It doesn’t take long for baking soda to leave behind a thick, white film when homeowners attempt to clean mirrors with a DIY solution. Inevitably, a brand-name glass cleaner will be required to re-wipe mirrors and remove baking soda lines. Avoid creating additional cleaning time by not using baking soda on glass.
Baking soda is highly effective on laminate surfaces, but those same qualities can prove detrimental on glass. It doesn’t take long for baking soda to leave behind a thick, white film when homeowners attempt to clean mirrors with a DIY solution. Inevitably, a brand-name glass cleaner will be required to re-wipe mirrors and remove baking soda lines. Avoid creating additional cleaning time by not using baking soda on glass.
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12. Face cleanser
The alkaline in baking soda works hard to neutralize other natural acids with which it comes in contact. This makes it an effective cleanser for kitchens suffering from a multitude of stains but not great for anyone’s face. Baking soda will neutralize acids and oils that the skin uses to block acne-causing grime. Over time, using baking soda as a face cleansing solution can unfortunately provoke outbreaks that are difficult to manage. As a rule, keep baking soda well away from skin-care products.
The alkaline in baking soda works hard to neutralize other natural acids with which it comes in contact. This makes it an effective cleanser for kitchens suffering from a multitude of stains but not great for anyone’s face. Baking soda will neutralize acids and oils that the skin uses to block acne-causing grime. Over time, using baking soda as a face cleansing solution can unfortunately provoke outbreaks that are difficult to manage. As a rule, keep baking soda well away from skin-care products.