Baking Soda: Helpful Cleaner or Hidden Culprit?

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is widely known for its ability to:

• Absorb odors

• Gently clean surfaces

• Provide mild abrasive action

Because of these qualities, many people use baking soda for almost everything at home—from kitchen counters and bathrooms to household appliances.

However, one important detail is often overlooked: baking soda is a mild abrasive, not a true dissolving cleaner.

• Used correctly → surfaces feel clean and fresh

• Used incorrectly → cleaning becomes less effective and damage slowly appears

In some cases, the more you scrub, the worse things actually get.

Places You Should NOT Use Baking Soda (It Can Cause Damage)

1. Stone Countertops (Marble, Polished Granite)

Sprinkling baking soda on stone countertops and scrubbing may seem like “deep cleaning,” but in reality:

• Baking soda creates microscopic scratches

• The stone gradually loses its natural shine

• Oil and dirt begin to cling more easily over time

The result? The surface looks dull and dirty faster—even right after cleaning.

2. Induction Cooktops and Glass Stoves

Baking soda plus hand scrubbing often feels effective, but:

• Glass surfaces scratch very easily

• Tiny abrasions make the surface cloudy

• Grease and stains return faster than before

After months of use, the stove can look old and worn even if it still works perfectly.

3. Polished Stainless Steel (Sinks, Handles, New Cookware)

Stainless steel looks tough, but it’s more delicate than it appears:

• Baking soda leaves fine, dull scratch marks

• The protective polished layer wears down

• Water spots and grease cling more stubbornly

At first it looks clean, but within days, it appears dirty again.

4. Appliances with Small Vents or Crevices

(Range hoods, microwaves, electronic panels)

Using baking soda to absorb odors sounds reasonable, but:

• Fine powder gets trapped in narrow gaps

• Moisture causes it to clump and hold odors

• Thorough cleaning afterward becomes difficult

Instead of removing smells, it can create new hidden buildup.

5. Wooden Cutting Boards and Kitchen Woodware

Baking soda absorbs odors well—but wood absorbs everything:

• Wood pulls in moisture and baking soda powder

• Residue sinks deep and cannot be fully rinsed out

• Over time, it creates a damp, unpleasant smell

Ironically, frequent use can make wooden items smell worse.

Why Does Baking Soda Make Surfaces Look Dirtier Over Time?

1. Micro-scratches form
   New dirt settles into tiny grooves more easily.

2. It doesn’t fully dissolve
   Leftover residue traps grease and dust if not rinsed thoroughly.

3. A false “clean” effect
   Surfaces may look bright at first, but cleanliness doesn’t last.

Where Baking Soda Does Work Well

Baking soda isn’t bad—it just needs the right application:

• Deodorizing refrigerators (place in a bowl, no scrubbing)

• Cleaning drains (combine with hot water and flush thoroughly)

• Removing light stains on rough, non-polished tiles

• Deodorizing carpets or shoes (sprinkle, absorb, vacuum, then clean)

Common rule: avoid shiny surfaces and heavy scrubbing.

What to Use Instead of Baking Soda

• Stone or glass surfaces: soft cloth + pH-neutral cleaner

• Stainless steel: wipe along the grain with diluted dish soap

• Appliances: dry cloth and proper ventilation

• Wooden boards: hot water rinse + complete air drying

Sometimes, gentle and consistent cleaning works better than aggressive scrubbing.

Final Thoughts

Baking soda is not a “miracle cleaner.” Used incorrectly, it can:

• Scratch surfaces

• Make items age faster

• Cause your home to feel dirtier despite frequent cleaning

The key lesson is simple:
Effective cleaning isn’t about cleaning harder—it’s about cleaning smarter, and in the right place.