6 Things You Shouldn't Clean With Baking Soda

Baking soda is something you probably already have in your kitchen. It's a natural, often inexpensive, pantry staple that helps baked goods rise. It can also be a key ingredient in DIY cleaning solutions, thanks to its ability to cut through grease and absorb stubborn odors that won't go away with other products. However, while baking soda might seem innocuous, it can actually damage some surfaces. So, it shouldn't be used to clean absolutely everything. Not sure what to avoid? Here are six things you should never clean with baking soda.

Glass and Mirrors Getting glass and mirrors clean can feel challenging, especially if you have young children who love to put their grimy little hands on these surfaces. But Vivian Holguin, people experience leader at Maid Brigade in Manchester Connecticut, says these objects should not be cleaned with baking soda. "Baking soda is abrasive and can leave fine scratches on glass and mirror surfaces, which build up over time, creating a dull, hazy look that reduces clarity and makes the surfaces look worn and reflections less sharp," she says.

But making your glass spotless is simple. Use a glass cleaner or a vinegar and water solution and a microfiber cloth to lift all of those tiny ps and streaks.

It's a common situation: You used a wooden spoon to stir tomato sauce, soup, or stew, didn't rinse it, and now there's so much caked-on food that it just won't come clean. While you'll likely need a bit of elbow grease and perhaps a scrub brush to remedy this problem, you definitely don't need baking soda—unless you want to ruin the surface. "Baking soda wears down the protective finish on wood surfaces, making the wood vulnerable to moisture, stains, discoloration, warping, and a dull, worn appearance over time," Holguin explains.

Kitchen Tools Cleaning off kitchen tools that you can't put in the dishwasher can be time-consuming, but no matter how dirty they are, you should avoid using baking soda to clean them. According to Holguin, baking soda can get stuck in the tiny grooves of certain tools, like graters and strainers. "Baking soda doesn't rinse out easily, leaving behind a gritty residue," she says.

Aluminum Pots and Pans Getting stuck-on food off aluminum pots and pans can be really frustrating, especially if you accidentally cook your food at a bit too high of a temperature. While you might be tempted to use baking soda to de-grease your pot, Holguin says it's a big no-no. "It can cause oxidation, which makes the cookware look discolored and worn," she explains.

Sealed Stone Claudia Meneses, CEO and founder of Avanti Green Eco Cleaning advises against using baking soda on stone surfaces like granite, marble, or quartz countertops and floors. "It can strip the stone's protective sealant, causing it to look dull," she says.

Sealed stone, which is what your kitchen and bathroom countertops are likely made from, needs to be cleaned and maintained with products formulated for these surfaces. Anything else could permanently ruin them.

Stainless Steel Appliances Whether it's grease splatters, general dirt, or fingerprints (from both adults and kids), stainless steel appliances are incredibly prone to getting dirty. But using baking soda on these often-expensive ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, and microwaves is a mistake you don't want to make. "Baking soda can cause stainless steel and other delicate surfaces to lose their shine," Meneses warns.

Baking soda could remove the finish of your appliances or even cause scratches to form. So, it's crucial to use only products formulated specifically for stainless steel.