How to Make a Bicarbonate of Soda Cleaning Mixture

Anyone who keeps on top of cleaning will have noticed that the time spent sorting and grabbing products can make a real difference to the household routine. That is why many people turn to ready-to-use blends to speed up everyday chores, such as a bicarbonate of soda cleaning mixture. It features in countless home hacks because it works as a mild abrasive and can help to neutralise smells, although the outcome depends entirely on what you mix it with and the type of surface you apply it to.

Why do some people blend bicarbonate of soda for cleaning?

The main reason for putting bicarbonate of soda in a blender with other ingredients is to make a larger batch that is evenly combined, creating a consistent paste you can use throughout the week. This approach often fits into organised cleaning schedules, where specific days are set aside for the kitchen, bathroom, or outdoor areas.

Having a homemade cleaning paste ready to go can cut out steps, especially on surfaces that need a bit of scrubbing, such as tiles and grout. Specialists point out that blending does not make the mixture “stronger”; it simply helps the ingredients disperse more evenly. They also stress that the blender must be cleaned thoroughly afterwards and, ideally, kept solely for non-food preparations.

Which ingredients are safe to use in a bicarbonate mixture?

Among the simplest and generally safer combinations is a paste made from bicarbonate of soda, water and mild (neutral) washing-up liquid, where each ingredient has a clear role. The water provides the right texture, the washing-up liquid helps lift light grease, and the bicarbonate of soda offers gentle abrasion on hard-wearing surfaces.

A practical example that many people prepare in small amounts to avoid it losing effectiveness is:

• 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda (about 200 g);
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup of water (about 80–120 ml), added gradually until you get a thick paste;
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of mild (neutral) washing-up liquid (about 30–45 ml).

Where does a bicarbonate cleaning mixture usually work best at home?

Used thoughtfully, a bicarbonate of soda cleaning mixture tends to perform best on tough, hard surfaces found in indoor areas such as the kitchen, bathroom and utility room. In these spaces, it can help shift more stubborn, stuck-on grime, as long as you follow the guidance from manufacturers of finishes and utensils.

Typical uses include durable stainless steel, ceramic, dirty grout lines, baking trays and hard-wearing utensils, as well as the interior surfaces of certain appliances where the manual allows it. It is always advisable to test first in an inconspicuous spot to check for any change in colour or sheen, and to stop immediately if you notice scratches, staining or a dulled finish.

What precautions help prevent damage, and how should you store and dispose of bicarbonate paste?

Despite its popularity, bicarbonate of soda is not suitable for every material. It can scratch or wear away delicate surfaces such as marble, porous natural stone, polished granite, anodised aluminium and very glossy finishes. It should also not be mixed with bleach, ammonia, or other harsh agents, as these combinations can produce irritating fumes and unwanted reactions.

Once you have blended bicarbonate of soda with water and washing-up liquid, store the paste in a clean, labelled, tightly sealed container, kept out of reach of children and pets. Ideally, make only enough for a few days. If the colour, smell or texture changes, discard it down the sink with plenty of running water, taking care not to let solid residue build up in the pipes, and wash the blender thoroughly straight after use.