The kit · alkali
Baking soda: what it removes and where never to use it
Sodium bicarbonate: a mild alkali, a gentle abrasive and an odour absorber.
- pH
- 8.3
- Safe on
- 0 materials
- Never on
- 0 materials
- UK name
- bicarbonate of soda
01 How to use it
Dry, to absorb oil and odours (then vacuum); as a paste with a little water or hydrogen peroxide for scrubbing and poultices.
How it works
Alkalis break down fats and acidic soils and help detergents work. Strong alkalis damage protein fibres such as wool and silk, and can dull stone and wood finishes.
On a label
On an ingredient list, baking soda shows up as sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate.
Avoid routine home use on silk, leather and a wood table. The table gives general restrictions; an unlisted restriction is not proof that a product is compatible.
02 What it works on
- Oil and fat
- Urine residue (urea, uric acid)
- Tannin
Baking soda is strongest against oil and fat and urine residue (urea, uric acid), and useful on oil and fat. It is part of the method in 94 stain files, for stains such as red wine, coffee, tea, cola, orange juice and beer.
03 Where it is safe
| Material | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Silk | Avoid | Its grit and alkalinity can dull silk. |
| Leather | Avoid | It dries leather and its grit can scuff the finish. |
| Wood furniture and floors | Avoid | As a paste it is abrasive enough to dull a finish. |
| Clothes | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| White shirt | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Jeans | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Linen | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Sheets and bedding | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Towels | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Baby clothes | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Polyester | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Leggings and activewear | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Wool and cashmere | Test first | Mildly alkaline; rinse it out of wool completely. |
| Rayon and viscose | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Carpet | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Wool rug | Test first | Mildly alkaline; rinse it out of wool completely. |
| Fabric couch | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Microfiber couch | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Velvet upholstery | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Car seats | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Mattress | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Suede and nubuck | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| White sneakers | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Marble | Test first | Fine in a poultice, but scrubbing with it can dull polished marble. |
| Granite | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Quartz countertop | Test first | Mild, but scrubbing can dull a polished quartz finish. |
| Tile grout | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Painted walls | Test first | Its grit can leave shiny patches on flat or matte paint. |
| Plastic containers | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
04 How the files use it
Baking soda appears in 94 stain files. The steps it is used in most:
- Peroxide poultice (37 files): The peroxide oxidises the colour inside the stone while the paste draws it up as it dries.
- Poultice the oil out (34 files): A poultice draws oil out of porous stone as it dries, the only way to reach a stain that is inside the stone.
- Dry it completely (20 files): Damp inside a mattress grows mildew.
- Baking soda, then vacuum (8 files): It absorbs the last moisture and odour from the fibres.
- Neutralise with baking soda (8 files): Baking soda neutralises stomach acid and absorbs liquid and smell before you start cleaning.
05 Mixing
The combinations people ask about most, and what actually happens.
- Can you mix chlorine bleach and baking soda? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix white vinegar and baking soda? Pointless fizz, then salty water
- Can you mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix baking soda and dish soap? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix baking soda and lemon juice? Pointless fizz, then salty water
- Can you mix baking soda and enzyme laundry detergent? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix baking soda and ammonia? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix baking soda and rubbing alcohol? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix baking soda and oxygen bleach? Caution a product-dependent combination
06 Files that use it
- Red wine on mattress
- Coffee on mattress
- Tea on mattress
- Cola and soda on mattress
- Orange juice on mattress
- Beer on mattress
- Matcha on marble
- Grape and cranberry juice on mattress
- Tomato sauce and ketchup on marble
- Turmeric and curry on marble
- Mustard on marble
- Grease and cooking oil on mattress
- Butter on marble
- Chocolate on mattress
- Berries on marble
- Beetroot on marble
- Gravy on marble
- Salad dressing on marble
- Egg on marble
- Soy sauce on marble
- BBQ sauce on marble
- Avocado on marble
- Nail polish on marble
- Self-tanner and fake tan on mattress
- Hair dye on marble
- Sweat and yellow underarm stains on mattress
- Perfume on marble
- Hair and body oil on mattress
- Blood on mattress
- Urine (pets and people) on carpet
- Vomit (pets and people) on carpet
- Breast milk on mattress
- Drool and yellow pillow stains on mattress
- Baby poop on mattress
- Baby formula and spit-up on mattress
- Baby food purée on wall
- Crayon on wall
- Slime on wall
- Permanent marker on granite
- Ballpoint ink on marble
07 Myth files
- Does toothpaste remove stains? It is a mild abrasive, so it scrubs marks off hard surfaces and sneaker rubber. On fabric it mostly spreads.
- Does vinegar and baking soda clean stains? They neutralise each other. The fizz is carbon dioxide, and what is left is mostly salty water.
08 Questions
What stains does baking soda remove?
It works best on oil and fat, which is why it appears in the files for red wine, coffee, tea, cola and orange juice.
How do you use baking soda safely?
Dry, to absorb oil and odours (then vacuum); as a paste with a little water or hydrogen peroxide for scrubbing and poultices. Test on a hidden spot first.
What should you never mix with baking soda?
This reference cannot establish that any commercial cleaner has no dangerous mixing partner. Do not combine cleaners unless their exact manufacturers explicitly permit the use; rinsing alone does not establish compatibility for later treatment.
Where should you never use baking soda?
Nowhere on file is ruled out completely, but check the material file before using it on anything delicate.