Absolutely do not use baking soda to clean these items.

Baking soda is an affordable, versatile household cleaner that can come in handy in a variety of situations. You can use it to wash certain pots and pans, remove stains from clothes, clean and deodorize carpets, and even unclog drains.

 

 

Although many people praise baking soda , it is not the right cleaning product for all items, as its abrasive properties can cause damage to delicate materials.

To preserve certain surfaces and materials in your home, it's important to understand when to avoid cleaning with baking soda. Here are some items you should never clean with baking soda .

Metal

Baking soda and some metals do not mix well. You should not use baking soda to clean jewelry. This is because baking soda can scratch materials like gold jewelry and strip the coating from other finishes.

Aluminum is another metal that you should not mix with baking soda. Using baking soda on aluminum can cause tarnishing or discoloration, and it can even weaken the surface and reduce its shine if left in contact with the powder for too long.

 

Electronic equipment

You've probably spent a lot of money on your electronics, so you don't want to take any chances when cleaning them. Remember that baking soda can scratch the screen. But not only that, the cleaner can also seep into the device, causing bigger problems.

To be safe, use a regular screen cleaner made specifically for electronics, or follow more detailed instructions on how best to clean something.

Marble and granite countertops

 

Baking soda is not a good cleaning solution to use on marble or granite countertops because it can scratch these materials, causing them to look dull and show signs of wear.

The best alternative is to avoid any type of harsh cleaners when dealing with these countertop materials and instead, make your own cleaning solution containing water and dishwashing liquid.

Wooden furniture and flooring

Marble and granite aren't the only common household materials that don't mix well with baking soda. Wood is also a no-no. Again, she says baking soda can cause discoloration and strip away protective oils and sealants.

Instead, using a specialized wood floor cleaner is the best option to keep it looking beautiful and new.

Skin

Leather and baking soda are not a great match. This is because leather is sensitive to abrasives, so when you apply baking soda to your leather, it risks causing scratches or abrasions.

Glass or mirror

Murphy warns against applying baking soda to glass or mirrors in your home, as it can actually scratch the surface of the glass. This will leave the glass looking dull, which is exactly the opposite of what you want when cleaning.

Experts recommend using a microfiber cloth combined with a regular glass cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water to clean mirrors.