What does baking soda do? 5 tips for cleaning with baking soda, from sinks to dishwashers

BAKING SODA is quickly becoming a must-have cleaning product, able to shift stains and remove smells with ease. But what exactly does baking soda do? Here are five tips for cleaning with baking soda, from sinks to dishwashers.

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is a definite must-have in anyone’s arsenal, with the power to shift stains, remove grease, restore shine and get rid of smells. Natural cleaning products like baking soda are not only cheaper but better for the environment than their chemical counterparts.

What does baking soda do?

Baking soda, otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate, is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3.

Made up of salt including sodium cation and a bicarbonate anion, baking soda has the appearance of a white powder.

As the name suggests, one of the most common uses of baking soda is in cooking, giving fluffy rises to cakes, cookies and more.

However, the compound also has cleaning properties, absorbing odours and helping to shift dirt.

Read More: How to remove black mould permanently - baking soda tips for mould 

What does baking soda do

What does baking soda do? 5 tips for cleaning with baking soda, from sinks to dishwashers (Image: GETTY)

So how can you use baking soda? Read on for five tips for cleaning with baking soda, from sinks to dishwashers.

1. Fix blocked sinks

Blocked sinks are an inconvenience, and can often start to smell if not tackled quickly.

If you can’t shift the blockage and don’t want to shell out for a pricy chemical fix - try baking soda.

You will need

  • Baking soda - one cup
  • White vinegar - one cup
  • Boiling water in a kettle

Pour one cup of baking soda into the offending drain, letting it seep into the drain slowly.

Then pour over one cup of white vinegar - you should hear a fizzing sound as the baking soda reacts with it.

Leave to sit for five minutes - or longer if you need.

Pour a full kettle of boiling water down the sink and voila, no more blockage.

Baking soda hacks: Baking soda drain

Baking soda hacks: Baking soda can help unblock troublesome drains (Image: GETTY)

Baking soda hacks: Dishwasher dirt

Baking soda hacks: Over time dishwashers can build up grime and dirt (Image: GETTY)

2. Clean dishwasher

Our dishwashers are a modern marvel, shifting food stains from plates and cutlery with ease.

However, over time limescale, grime and general dirt can build up resulting in a less-than-satisfactory clean.

To clean, add two cups of white vinegar to a clean dishwasher-safe bowl or measuring cup and place it in the top rack of the dishwasher.

White vinegar can help shift limescale lingering in your dishwasher.

Run the dishwasher through a cleaning cycle on the hottest setting with no detergent.

You can also shift odours with baking soda, simply sprinkle it over the bottom of the dishwasher and then run - empty - on a hot cycle.

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3. Remove smells from the fridge

We’ve all left something in the fridge too long and only discovered it after a funky smell has been left behind.

If you need to shift bad odours, grab a small dish, bowl or container and add some baking soda.

Place this uncovered in your fridge - it works best on one of the shelves in the centre - and leave.

Baking soda has odour absorbing properties and so will get rid of any lingering smells.

Baking soda hacks: Baking soda fridge hack

Baking soda hacks: Pop a small container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odours (Image: GETTY)

Baking soda hacks clean washing machine

Baking soda hacks: Adding baking soda to your washing machine can clean it with ease (Image: GETTY)

4. Clean washing machine

Like dishwashers, our washing machines can build up limescale, dirt and general grime over time.

To clean, sprinkle around two cups of baking soda directly into the washing machine.

Then run an empty hot water cycle and leave to air out afterwards.

You can also add two cups of distilled white vinegar into your washing machine's detergent dispenser and run empty.

5. Shift baked on grime

Whether you’ve left a pan for too long or your oven has built up baked-on deposits with use, baking soda can help shift this.

First, dampen the area with hot water, and then sprinkle over baking soda so any dirt is covered.

Leave to sit for half an hour, then scrub clean as you would usually.

The baking soda will help you remove the dirt with ease.

For an extra boost, spritz over a mixture of water and white vinegar while the baking soda is sitting.