10 Effective Ways to Clean Your Bathroom with Baking Soda

Few substances rival baking soda for cleaning tough dirt and grime. Indeed, it tackles even the messes featured in infomercials.

If you're a late-night TV viewer, you've likely encountered ads promoting a miraculous, all-in-one cleaner that claims to eliminate everything from muddy paw prints to stubborn pasta sauce stains—and it's available for a limited time only!

Next time you encounter one of these commercials, take a deep breath. There's a cleaner that's just as remarkable and incredibly affordable, readily available at any grocery store. It's also non-toxic, ensuring it won't introduce any potentially harmful substances into your home, water supply, or the hands of curious children. In fact, you've probably consumed this product, albeit mixed with other ingredients. It might even be in your kitchen right now.

If you haven't figured it out yet, we're referring to baking soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda or sodium bicarbonate. This substance that leavens cakes and soothes heartburn also boasts numerous cleaning applications. While it's gentle enough for most household surfaces, this article focuses on its uses in the bathroom—a topic that covers a lot of ground, metaphorically speaking.

If there's one downside, it's that cleaning with baking soda may require more elbow grease than using commercial cleaners. On the bright side, cleaning the bathroom might contribute to the 30 minutes of daily exercise recommended by the American Heart Association [source: Blackburn].

We'll begin, as many do, with the least pleasant task on the list: cleaning the toilet.

10: Toilets

While some toilets feature a stain-resistant finish, the bowl remains susceptible to discoloration. Minerals in standing water can tarnish the porcelain, leading to unsightly brown or rust-colored rings, especially in areas with hard water. If these stains accumulate, they may require harsh acidic cleaners to remove, which can gradually erode the porcelain and pose immediate risks to skin, eyes, nose, and throat.

To prevent such issues, establish a simple weekly cleaning routine: Sprinkle half a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes, then fill a spray bottle with white vinegar (a mild acid) and spray the surface to moisten. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush away [source: Niagara County].

Minerals also contribute to another common bathroom cleaning problem. Read on to learn how baking soda can clean up the scum of the earth.

9: Bathtubs and Sinks

The chalky ring around your bathtub isn't necessarily a sign that the last person who took a bath was particularly dirty. Even in the most hygienic households, soap scum can strike. Soap scum is the residue that results from body oils and the fats in soap reacting with the mineral salts in water. Bathtubs, showers, and sinks are prone to soap scum. Again, hard water aggravates the problem.

To prevent soap scum from forming, wipe down tubs and sinks after each use. If soap scum does appear, sponge it off with a paste made of baking soda and dishwashing detergent. Unlike soaps, detergents don't react with salts, so they don't contribute to the buildup.

For stubborn cases, mix 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) of baking soda, 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of vinegar, and 1 cup (235 milliliters) of ammonia into 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of warm water. Apply the solution to the affected area and rinse thoroughly. Wear rubber gloves and ensure the room is well-ventilated when mixing and using this solution: Ammonia is caustic and can burn tissue on contact; its fumes can also damage your lungs.

But porcelain isn't the only target for baking soda. Our next tip makes the point crystal clear.

8: Shower Doors

Glass shower doors can enhance the elegance of a bathroom, but they are susceptible to unsightly water spots and residues from products like toothpaste or shaving cream. To maintain their pristine appearance, it's advisable to avoid using abrasive scouring powders, as the gritty particles can cause scratches on the glass surface.

Baking soda, a gentle abrasive, is ideal for cleaning glass shower doors without causing damage. To use, sprinkle a small amount onto a damp sponge and gently scrub the glass surfaces. Afterward, rinse thoroughly and dry with a squeegee to prevent streaks and lint residue.

Limescale buildup, often resulting from hard water, can leave unsightly deposits on bathroom fixtures. Baking soda effectively removes these deposits, restoring the shine to faucets and showerheads.

To clean limescale from faucets and showerheads, create a paste by mixing baking soda with water. Apply this paste to the affected areas and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then, gently scrub with an old toothbrush, focusing on the limescale deposits. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a cloth to reveal a gleaming finish.

As with toilets, standing water can mar the shine of chrome. The result isn't a stain, but mineral build up. As water pools around faucets and drains, the minerals settle to the bottom and eventually landscape the sink or tub with a rocky little ridge of calcium carbonate, also known as limescale or simply lime.

Commercial cleansers that are formulated specifically to dissolve lime and other mineral deposits have a drawback, besides toxicity concerns. They can discolor and damage chrome and stainless steel, as well as brass, bronze and nickel finishes. Vinegar, on the other hand, dissolves lime without harming metal.

It works more slowly, however, and must be applied continuously. To keep vinegar from drying up or running off before it can do its work, mix it with baking soda to form a paste. Thoroughly coat the lime. Let it sit for a few hours, then rinse off [source: Sian]. Heavy deposits may take several applications to get rid of.

Next, baking soda takes on a hidden aspect of the world of bathroom cleaning.

6: Drains and Showerheads

Unlike visible stains and lime deposits, clogs form deep within plumbing fixtures, often unnoticed until the drain fails to drain and the shower stops working.

To keep your drain clear, pour in 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of baking soda, followed by 1 cup (235 milliliters) of vinegar. Let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes, then flush the drain with very hot or boiling water. This process helps dissolve soap, hair, grime, and other debris that can block the flow. Avoid using this method if you've already treated the drain with a commercial drain opener, as the soda-vinegar reaction may cause caustic fumes and liquid to backfire into the sink.

Mineral deposits are sometimes the culprit behind slow showers. To fix this, remove the showerhead and soak it for an hour in a mixture of 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of baking soda and 1 cup (235 milliliters) of vinegar. Reattach the showerhead and run very hot water through it for several minutes.

If you're unable to detach the showerhead, combine the ingredients in a durable plastic bag. Secure the bag around the showerhead with a rubber band to submerge the fixture for an hour, then remove the bag and run hot water through it for several minutes.

Some minerals in your bathroom may need protection. The following tip demonstrates how baking soda can help carefully clean these valuable materials.

5: Stone Tile

Stone tiles are favored for bathroom walls, floors, and vanities due to their elegance and toughness. They can withstand heavy foot traffic and the moisture of showers. However, various types of stone are vulnerable to damage from acidic commercial cleaners, including marble, limestone, porcelain, and other unglazed ceramics.

Experts suggest using pH-neutral cleaners for routine maintenance and for light stains, like mud splashes that don’t penetrate the surface. However, stone tiles tend to absorb oily stains like lipstick, nail polish, and baby oil. These require alkaline-based cleaners [source: Bane-Clene].

With a pH of approximately 9, baking soda serves as an effective spot-cleaning poultice. Apply a thick paste made from baking soda and water to the stain. Allow the paste to sit for 24 to 48 hours to draw out the stain, then rinse and dry the surface thoroughly.

Baking soda also proves helpful in another tile-related task. Continue reading to discover how it can assist in cleaning the spaces between tiles.

4: Grout

Grout is often neglected in cleaning routines, but the spaces between stone tiles deserve as much attention as the tiles themselves. Stained grout can diminish the appearance of a costly wall or floor installation. Worse, dirty grout can foster the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria, which can lead to further complications, including health issues and expensive repairs.

Like tile, grout is best cleaned with moderately alkaline cleaners. Create a thin paste by mixing baking soda and water, then gently scrub it with a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush. If you find fungus growth, tackle it with a thicker paste made from three parts baking soda and one part bleach. Rinse both mixtures thoroughly with water and dry well. For larger floor areas, consider using a wet/dry vacuum for convenience.

Next, discover how vinyl takes on various forms in the bathroom, and learn how baking soda helps maintain them all in pristine condition.

3: Vinyl

Baking soda has as many cleaning uses for vinyl as there are types of vinyl surfaces.

Baking soda is versatile in cleaning various vinyl items. For vinyl floors, sprinkle baking soda and gently scrub with a wet sponge to remove many stains. Be cautious not to soak the floor, and ensure it dries completely afterward to prevent water from seeping into seams and under edges, which can loosen the glue and cause corners to curl.

Vinyl shower curtains, bath mats, and appliqués, which are prone to mildew and soapy residue, can benefit from baking soda. Curtains can be machine-washed with 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of baking soda added to the detergent, using the gentle cycle. To prevent the curtain from sticking to itself and clumping, toss in a few towels. For added disinfection, pour in 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) of vinegar during the rinse cycle. Let the curtain air dry, as it will melt in the dryer. For appliqués, apply a rubbed-in paste and let it stand for about 20 minutes to remove darker stains.

Baking soda is a versatile cleaning agent that can be used on various surfaces in the bathroom. For example, it can be used to clean stone tiles, grout, and vinyl surfaces, as well as to freshen the air. Its mild abrasiveness and deodorizing properties make it an effective and natural cleaning solution.

Baking soda is effective in neutralizing odors and purifying the air. To freshen indoor air, place bowls of baking soda around rooms to absorb lingering odors. This natural deodorizer can help maintain a fresh-smelling environment without the use of chemical air fresheners.

Baking soda's well-known ability to absorb odors in the refrigerator works just as well in the bathroom. If the sight of an open box seems unaesthetic, mix the soda into your favorite scented bath salts. Set the mixture in a pretty dish on the back of the toilet tank. Its freshening power should last for about 3 months.

To combat odors that emanate around the sink and drain, add 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) baking soda to the toe of an old pantyhose leg or nylon knee high. Tie it off and knot the leg around the pipes under the sink as a hanging sachet. If you don't happen to have any old pantyhose lying around, you can make a pouch from a large square of cheesecloth or cotton fabric. Place the baking soda in the middle, then gather the excess material up around it and secure the ball of baking soda with a rubber band. Tie on a length of string or twine and hang it under the sink.

When you change the baking soda deodorizing your refrigerator, pour the used box down the bathroom drain. You can also sprinkle baking soda in the bathroom trash can after each emptying.

Baking soda serves as a versatile personal care product, offering a range of benefits for your body.

As a natural, mildly abrasive, and antibacterial agent, baking soda can be used as a tooth scrubber. Apply a small amount to your toothbrush and brush as usual. For an added rinse, mix baking soda with water and use it as a mouthwash.

Baking soda aids in reducing swelling and cleansing the skin by drawing out water and dissolved substances. Dissolve a few tablespoons in warm water for a soothing foot soak. Create a paste with baking soda and water to use as a facial exfoliant. Apply this paste to insect bites or bee stings to neutralize acids in the saliva and alleviate discomfort.

For more information on maintaining cleanliness for yourself and your home, explore the following resources.