Five things you should never clean with baking soda
Baking or bi-carb soda is an amazing cleaning product that can be used for countless cleaning tasks around the home.
It's one of the most effective and affordable low-tox cleaners out there, and often already on hand in the pantry whenever we run into a cleaning problem.
We can use sodium bicarbonate on its own to absorb bad odours, or mixed with water or dishwashing liquid to form a non-abrasive paste to clean scrub the shower or oven.
READ MORE: 9 surfaces you should never clean with vinegar
It's a well-known cleaning product, but baking soda can't go on everything. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Unfortunately this wonder cleaner can't be used on every surface, and can even do more harm than good.
Here are five places you should never clean with baking soda:
Wooden floors and furniture
There are two reasons you shouldn't use bi-carb soda on wood. The first is the abrasiveness of baking soda means it can damage the finish on wood floors.
Secondly, the acidity of baking soda can react with the tannins in the wood, which could leave you with a dark patch, and that's the last thing you want to see on the floor.
READ MORE: Cleaning products you didn't know you needed
Stick with soapy water or specialised floor cleaners to protect your wood surfaces. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Aluminium cookware
So this one isn't a 'never', but you really should use caution when cleaning aluminium cookware with baking soda. That's because if baking soda is left on for too long it oxidises and changes the colour of the cookware.
If you do want to use bi-carb soda on your aluminium cookware, just make sure you rinse them well straight away.
READ MORE: Surprising pantry item the secret to cleaning cloudy glassware
Marble surfaces
Using baking soda to clean marble surfaces will cause your countertops to wear away faster than they normally would, and given how expensive marble counters are you want them to last as long as possible.
Baking soda can scratch the surface and wear away the sealant, which will leave your bench looking dull.
Dinnerware with gold trim
If you purchase something with a gold trim, it's usually because you want that elegant effect. But if you use baking soda on it, the gold detail won't last for long.
Like many of the other surfaces mentioned, it's the abrasiveness of baking soda that wears away the gold.
To make these plates last, keep them away from the bicarb soda. Getty Images/iStockphoto
It's just as bad for silverware, unfortunately, even though baking soda is known for removing tarnish. This is because the baking soda can scratch the metal and corrode it over time.
READ MORE: 10 cleaning mistakes that actually make your home dirtier
Anything with cracks and deep grooves
Bi-carb soda is such a fine powder that there are some surfaces you'll struggle to remove it from, so it's best to avoid cleaning with it otherwise you'll end up with a bigger problem.
Things like a computer keyboard and remote controls don't really need baking soda and can be cleaned with just a microfibre cloth instead.
Even carpet is too fine a surface with all its little threads, and the soda granules can potentially go all the way through to flooring below.
Most viewed in Homes
Filthy floor not cleaned in 10 years transforms back to sparkling with four-letter method
This common potting mix mistake could be the reason your plants aren’t thriving
Habit after every dishwasher cycle making it mouldy and ruining the machine
The best paint colours for making small rooms look bigger
