Of all the ingredients in your pantry, baking soda is one of the most useful and versatile alternatives, typically used for freshening up the fridge to scrubbing down kitchen counters. But the question is, can baking soda clean dishes?
Absolutely! Baking soda is the most reliable cleaning agent you can use at home. While it is a common ingredient in baking, it has natural properties that can clean dishes and other household items. It can remove stains and absorbs odor for a fresh finish.
But before we dive into the usefulness of baking soda to our dishes, let’s find out how effective this powerful cleaning tool is.
Why is Baking Soda the Most Reliable Household Ingredient?
Basically, baking soda is a salt. Thus, it has a neutral compound composed of a negatively and positively charged ion. According to a study, baking soda has natural physical and chemical properties that make it practical and safe to use as a cleaning substance.
This ingredient has a slight pH (opposite of acid), making them ideal for any cleaning job at home, such as cleaning the carpet, drains, tabletops, and the like.
How Does Baking Soda Work as a Cleaning Agent?
Opposite of what air fresheners do, baking soda absorbs odor rather than masking them. It is because most smells are acidic, and baking soda reacts by neutralizing them.
Baking soda is also a bit abrasive. Hence, unlike soap, it can easily remove stains and debris, not only on the dishes but also on clothes, and dislodge particles from drains and surfaces.
Indeed baking soda can do tough jobs even if you only use a pinch of this substance. But when you combine them with other ingredients, you will be surprised at how powerful they can be.
Now, let’s cover how baking soda can clean dishes.
How to Clean Dishes with Baking Soda
Baking soda does the job whether you wash dishes in the dishwasher or sink. You can use it as it is or pair it with other ingredients in your pantry. Here are the many ways you can make use of baking soda to clean dishes:
DIY Baking Soda Paste
The most efficient way of cleaning dishes with baking soda is by making a DIY paste. This way, you can utilize the abrasive properties of baking soda.
Mix at least a half cup of this substance to make a paste with a few tablespoons of water. You can adjust the measurement of both until you are confident that you have achieved a spreadable paste.
You can use the paste to deodorize glasses and plastic tubs. The paste is also effective in cleaning grease and lifting stubborn leftovers or sauces stuck on utensils and plates.
Baking Soda and Dish Soap
If you’re having difficulty cleaning the dishes, you can mix baking soda with other household items like dish soap. This will help remove bits of food from the dishes and cookware.
To do this, fill a basin or sink with warm water and add a few drops of liquid dish soap. Add 1 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda to the soapy water. You can use the finished product to eliminate baked-on foods and sauce stains.
Baking Soda Sprinkles
For this hack, you won’t need many ingredients. You can use baking soda as it is. While the dishes are wet, get a small pinch of baking soda and sprinkle it on dirty dishes. Rub the dishes with them until the food particles or stains are gone.
Take note, though, that baking soda is not anti-bacterial. Make sure to sterilize the dishes with boiling water after cleaning them with baking soda.
Can You Wash Dishes with Baking Soda and Lemon Juice?
Baking soda mixed with lemon is effective for cleaning dishes and removing bad smells in water bottles. To do this, add hot water into the water bottle and place a few tablespoons of baking soda and lemon juice. Leave the bottle overnight before scrubbing or cleaning them.
Can Vinegar and Baking Soda Clean Dishes?
Yes, baking soda and vinegar are the best way to achieve that sparkling clean, gleaming finish. Mix the soapy water, a pinch of baking soda, and vinegar to clean dishes by hand. You will be surprised at how the dishes are squeaky clean compared to only using liquid soap.
For hard-to-remove-stains, add baking soda to the bottom of the stainless-steel, plastic, or glass dish and pour some vinegar over it. Sit it for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing them.
Yes, baking soda and vinegar are the best way to achieve that sparkling clean, gleaming finish. Mix the soapy water, a pinch of baking soda, and vinegar to clean dishes by hand. You will be surprised at how the dishes are squeaky clean compared to only using liquid soap.
For hard-to-remove-stains, add baking soda to the bottom of the stainless-steel, plastic, or glass dish and pour some vinegar over it. Sit it for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing them.
Can You Use Baking Soda and Vinegar in the Dishwasher?
Baking soda and vinegar in the dishwasher are effective cleaning agents for dishes and kitchen appliances. Baking soda helps eliminate stuck-on food, stains, and rusts, while vinegar works on making the dishes and appliances sparkling clean.
To clean the dishes in the dishwasher, pour some vinegar in the dishwasher to achieve a natural finishing cleaner. Then add at least 1/4 cup of baking soda to the dishwasher.
Can Baking Soda Clean Dishes with Rust Stains?
Rust stains in utensils are the most difficult to remove. This happens when you allow the utensil to soak in water for an extended period or if you wash them in the dishwasher. Here’s how you can easily remove rust stains with the help of baking soda:
Things to prepare:
- Two tablespoons of baking soda
- Microfiber cleaning cloth
- Warm water
Step 1: Place two tablespoons of baking soda into the bowl
Step 2: Pour the warm water into the bowl to create a paste. Stir the mixture until it looks like toothpaste.
Step 3: Using the microfiber cleaning cloth, put the paste in the rust stains and rub it until the stains are gone.
Step 4: Rinse the utensil thoroughly.
Step 5: Dry each utensil well.
Things You Should Never Clean Using Baking Soda
Can baking soda clean dishes, you ask? Well, yes, but not all of them. While baking soda can do many tough cleaning jobs, it can also be damaging when used to clean some kitchen utensils. Although this substance is an effective cleaning tool, you should avoid them when cleaning these kitchen items.
- Glass
As an abrasive cleaner, baking soda may cause scratches on your glassware. You can use a natural cleaning substance like vinegar to better clean glass items.
- Aluminum
You can use baking soda to clean pots and pans. However, it is crucial to rinse them well after cleaning them. Baking soda can oxidize pots and pans. When you leave them with this substance for an extended period, it may cause the items’ surfaces to brown.
- Wood
Don’t use baking soda to clean wood spoons, spatula, or other kitchen tools. This cleaning agent can be too hard for the finishes or sealant of the wood. It may erode the items, so you should use dish soap instead.
- Antique Silver
Although baking soda and water can remove tarnish in silverware, the substance is too abrasive that it may stain the items quickly afterward. If you want to eliminate tarnish in your antique silver, it is best to bring them to cleaning professionals.
- Gold plated utensils and dishes
Don’t dare use baking soda on gold-plated utensils and dishes. Again, baking soda is too abrasive on soft metals like gold. It may cause scratches or ruin the plating and finish.
Conclusion
Baking soda cleans dishes, neutralizes odors, and removes stains and grease. And as you combine them with natural cleaning ingredients, they become more effective cleaning agents.
Not only are they reliable cleaning tools, but they are also the best option if you wish to avoid harmful chemicals from cleaning products. Why harm your health if you can use an inexpensive and effective cleaning agent to clean your kitchen messes?
Well, we hope you have learned a thing or two on how to use baking soda to clean your dishes.
If you’re interested in learning what else baking soda can clean in your home, check out our post – Can Baking Soda Clean Shoes?
