We’ve all heard it before:
Baking soda can transform your home!
Use baking soda to clean anything!
Right?
Wrong.
While it might seem like baking soda, a kitchen staple, is the perfect natural cleanser, you might be surprised to learn that it can actually cause damage on a number of surfaces.
The main ingredient in baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, which is why it’s been used for centuries around the world as a natural cleaning agent. What most people don’t talk about is the fact that baking soda might cause unwanted chemical reactions and even damage to certain materials.
So, before you begin scrubbing that ceramic stove top or polishing your new vintage kitchen utensils, you’ll want to make sure they’re not included on the list below.
Here are 5 things you should never clean with baking soda.
Things You Should Never Clean With Baking Soda
1) Antique silver
Although baking soda can pretty quickly remove tarnish from silverware, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good idea to use it. Baking soda is far too abrasive for cleaning antique silver, causing it to lose its shine and leave scratches on the surface. The use of baking soda will also cause the silver to tarnish more quickly.
Instead of using baking soda to clean your silver, consider taking it to a professional to get polished.
2) Marble
Baking soda should never be used to clean marble surfaces like your kitchen counter. While some sources may tell you that it is okay to use baking soda on marble, stone manufacturers know that using baking soda will remove the protective finish and cause scratches over time.
3) Ceramic cooktop
Just like marble surfaces, baking soda should never be used to clean ceramic stove tops. This is because the smooth top made of ceramic glass can easily be scratched and damaged by the abrasive effects of baking soda. Not only that, but baking soda also leaves behind a stubborn white film that can be difficult to eliminate. If you do accidentally use baking soda on your ceramic cooktop, vinegar should help remove the white film.
4) Aluminum
While you can give most metal surfaces a good scrub with baking soda, aluminum cookware should be handled with care. The extensive use of baking soda on aluminum pots and pans will cause them to oxidize, meaning that they will begin to change color. If you absolutely insist on using baking soda to clean your aluminum cookware, be sure to rinse thoroughly immediately after applying to prevent any discoloration.
5) Gold-plated items
It is probably unlikely that you have 24-carat gold plated dinnerware at home. However, if you do have fine china that has gold rims or details, you’ll want to avoid using baking soda on those pieces. Gold is a soft metal that can easily be scratched, so it’s best to refrain from using baking soda if you want to preserve your precious pieces.
What to Use Instead of Baking Soda
When fighting grease, stains, soap residue or watermarks, deciding which cleaning agent to use in the kitchen can be a tough call. If you’re not sure whether it’s safe to clean with baking soda, reach for a bottle of Life O' Wood Multi- Surface Cleaner.
To use it, all you have to do is pour a little bit of Life O' Wood Multi- Surface Cleaner on a clean towel or microfiber cloth and wipe. Life O' Wood contains no harmful chemicals or abrasive particles (unlike baking soda), so you don’t have to worry about any scratches or even altering the finish of the product it’s being used on.
Conclusion
As mentioned before, baking soda can be a wonderful natural cleaner. However, due to its abrasive nature, it can be harmful to some of your household items.
When you’re unsure whether or not baking soda is safe to use, opt for a gentle cleaner that does not contain any abrasive particles or harmful chemicals like Life-O" Wood.
Happy Cleaning!
