9 Things to Never Clean With Baking Soda, According to Cleaning Professionals

Stains on Delicate Fabric

While baking soda is often used for removing stains and odors from garments, it isn't suitable for use on delicate fabrics. "The abrasive particles in baking soda can damage delicate fibers, leading to pilling, fraying, or weakening of the material," explains laundry professional Ocean Van. Cottage Care cleaning expert Scott Schrader adds that baking soda can also leave a hard-to-remove residue on fabric fibers.

Fabrics to avoid include silk, satin, lace, velvet, chiffon, and cashmere. Stick with your usual regimen of hand-washing with a gentle detergent or dry-cleaning for these beauties, and always remember to follow the garment's care instructions.

Leather Items

Resist reaching for the baking soda the next time you notice a stain on a cherished leather bag. “Applying baking soda to leather can strip away its natural oils, making the leather dry and crack over time,” warns Van.

You're better off using a solution of warm water and dish soap or a proper leather cleaner to preserve the material's natural beauty and luster.

Wood Furniture and Floors

When it comes to cleaning your wood furniture and floors, baking soda is also not the answer. “Baking soda can be harsh on wood surfaces and damage their finish,” cautions Schrader.

There are several safe ways to clean wood finishes in your household so that they won’t fade or scratch. Take special care to properly maintain these surfaces to ensure they look their best for years to come.

Electronic Devices

Baking soda is not recommended for use near smartphones, laptops, or computers. Its abrasive qualities will most definitely scratch the delicate screens. Instead, use a screen-safe cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth to remove fingerprints, streaks, and other residues.

Wool Garments

Like leather, wool’s integrity can be compromised if washed or treated with baking soda. “Wool is a natural animal material, so baking soda’s high pH can break down wool fibers, causing them to lose their softness and strength,” explains Van.

Opt for wool-safe detergents to clean your wool blankets and sweaters, paying strict attention to the instructions on the garment-care label.

Marble and Granite Countertops

As tempting as it might be to wash your countertops with a quick baking soda solution, it is strongly discouraged. “The abrasiveness of baking soda could scratch and dull the surface of marble and granite,” says Schrader, “as well as lead to discoloration from the acids in baking soda.”

Stick with gentle cleaning solutions and marble-safe products for your countertops to keep them polished, smooth, and gleaming.

Jewelry and Gemstones

When cleaning your baubles, be sure to only use jewelry-safe cleaning solutions. The abrasive quality of baking soda will scratch precious stones, pearls, and metals, wearing away the shine rather than enhancing it.

Gentle dish soap is likely all you need to clean and restore shine to all your favorite jewelry pieces.

Aluminum Surfaces

Avoid baking soda at all costs when it comes to cleaning your aluminum cookware, kitchen appliances, utensils, and BBQ grill exteriors. According to Schrader, baking soda is too abrasive and will scratch aluminum surfaces. Additionally, powder's alkaline nature can cause discoloration over time.

A mixture of mild dish soap and water is preferred for cleaning aluminum. This should be applied with a soft sponge or cloth to minimize fine scratches and preserve the shine.

Brightly Colored Garments

Colored clothing has a tendency to fade over the course of many washes—but baking soda will only accelerate the process. “Regular use of baking soda may fade vibrant colors over time due to its mild bleaching effect,” explains Van.