Baking Powder for Cleaning: 14 Effective Uses

If you’ve been online for more than a month, then you know all about using ingredients from your kitchen to clean. You can utilize cooking ingredients from lemon slices to vinegar to keep your home clean and fresh. You can also use baking ingredients like baking powder and baking soda to clean the house.

Baking Powder vs. Baking Soda

While baking soda is the most well-known cleaning agent in your pantry, baking powder is an effective DIY cleanser as well. Keep in mind that baking powder is a diluted version of baking soda, and therefore is not as strong when it comes to cleaning.

Baking Powder for Cleaning

If you do not have baking soda on hand, don’t fret. You can use baking powder to clean. However, you will need to use four times as much baking powder and twice as much strength, but baking powder is excellent for the following cleaning methods. 

1. Microwave Cleaner

The microwave often doesn’t get the cleaning it deserves, but thankfully there’s a relatively simple solution of baking powder and water you can make to clean your beloved appliance. 

Mix two tablespoons of baking powder with one cup of water. Heat the solution in your microwave for 2 minutes. Grab a sponge and soak it in the warm cleanser, then wipe the inside of your microwave. The baking powder loosens the food bits or stains left in your appliance.

2. Drain Cleaner

If you notice your kitchen sink has partially stopped draining, you can use a mixture of baking powder and vinegar to unclog your drain. Using ½ cup baking powder and ½ cup vinegar, mix the solution thoroughly and pour it into the drain (you may notice bubbles). After the bubbling stops, rinse the drain with hot water.

3. Stainless Steel Reviver

Stainless steel notoriously shows fingerprints and marks. Baking powder can help to clean your stainless steel appliances quickly and without harming the finish.

All you need to do is mix baking powder and water to create a paste. Use a microfiber or other gentle material to wipe the appliance, and enjoy your like-new stainless steel!

4. Vinyl Floor Cleaner

Floors need almost daily care, but you may have concerns about harsh cleansers on your new vinyl floor.

Baking powder makes an excellent gentle-but-effective cleaner that will leave your flooring sparkling and without damage. Blend baking powder and about a ½ cup of water to make the cleaner. Use a mop to wipe the solution over the vinyl and reveal shiny floors!

5. Rust Removal

Baking powder removes rust quickly and easily. Mix with hydrogen peroxide to form a cleanser, then apply it to wherever you see rusty surfaces. Let the solution sit on the rust for several minutes, then rinse. 

6. Water Rings

A water ring will occur when someone did not use a coaster on the coffee table. The good news is, you can quickly remove it with baking powder. Mix one part baking powder with one part of white, non-gel toothpaste.

Buff out the water ring with the toothpaste and baking powder mixture with the help of a damp cloth. Wipe away the residue with a dry cloth, and polish to finish as normal.

7. Mattress Maintenance

If you want to make your bedroom spotlessly clean, you can’t forget your mattress. To clean your bed with baking powder, you will need to mix it with a small amount of water or blend it with the essential oil of your choice. Rub your mattress with the mixture, and let it rest for an hour.

Then, vacuum the bedding for the ultimate cozy and clean space.

8. Jewelry Cleaner

No one wants dull, unsightly jewelry, and baking powder is a gentle-yet-efficient cleaner that will have your favorite earrings or necklaces looking brand new in minutes.

Line a container with tin foil with the shiny side facing upwards. Stir a tablespoon of baking powder with a cup of boiling water, and add your jewelry. Remove the item after up to 10 minutes, and dry thoroughly.

9. Brush Cleaner

Using brushes daily leads to an inevitable buildup of hair, skin, and bacteria. Stir baking powder with warm (not hot) water and place your brushes in the solution overnight. In the morning, remove the brushes and dry them off to reveal clean and soft bristles.

10. Stain Removal

You can use baking powder to remove stains on any surface. Sprinkle some baking powder on your kitchen counters or plastic containers. Use a washcloth, scouring pad, and hot water to buff the stain away.

11. Deodorizing

Baking powder has an excellent ability to completely remove bad odors. It does this by making it impossible for odor-causing bacteria to thrive. Add baking powder to your washing cycle, or sprinkle it on your sofa.

With your wash, let it run and rinse out. If you are using it on the couch or bed, let it sit for up to an hour and then wet vacuum it off once the baking powder has had enough time to work its magic.

12. Brightening Clothes

If you are dealing with dull whites, baking powder is your friend. It works as a natural alternative to bleach, and not only removes stains but also brightens the white color of clothes.

Simply add two tablespoons to a regular batch of white laundry. Let your laundry cycle run as it usually does, and you’ll get whiter whites. You can hang the whites out to dry on a sunny day for an even brighter color.

13. Scrubbing Pots

Trying to get grout and stains off pots and pans is not a fun job. Baking powder makes this easier. Sprinkle the pots and pans with baking powder and add hot water. Let them soak for up to an hour. When ready, use your regular scouring pad to clean them softly. Your pots will be good as new.

14. Cleaning Toys

If you have kids, you know the struggle of finding baby-safe cleaning products. Since all toys end up in the mouth, it is essential to use products that will not harm children.

Baking powder is a safe alternative to many cleaning products on the market. Use warm water, add baking powder to it and stir. Let the toys sit in the mixture for 10 - 20 minutes. After soaking, use a new toothbrush to scrub off any residue, grit, or dirt from every corner. Rinse the toys and pat them dry.

Wrapping Up

When cleaning, baking soda is more effective than baking powder, but powder makes for an effective cleanser in a pinch. Due to its alkaline nature, it can easily cut into stains, grease, and dirt.

For baking powder to be as effective, you would need four times as much and more time, and the stability of baking powder makes it a less effective cleaner.