11 Tough Messes You Should Clean with Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

Think you ruined your favorite pot by scorching the clam chowder? Don’t throw it out just yet. Use a nylon scraper to remove as much of the mess as possible. Spray the bottom of the pan with enough hydrogen peroxide to completely cover the burnt-on mess. Sprinkle baking soda to cover the same area. Let it sit for 25-30 minutes. If the baking soda appears to be drying out, spritz with more peroxide. When time is up, scrape with the nylon scraper again, then scrub with a scrubby sponge to remove the mess.

Cleaning With Baking Soda: 3 Easy Recipes for Tough Kitchen Messes

Maria Marabito is a writer who specializes in sustainable travel, green living, and food issues. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from West Chester University.

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Baking soda can neutralize odors, remove stains, clean difficult items, and dissolve grease. And when combined with other clean ingredients like vinegar, it becomes an even stronger cleaning agent.

Baking soda is a naturally occurring form of salt that is made by mixing carbon, sodium, hydrogen, and oxygen molecules. The compound is actually a base, which is why it is such a versatile and powerful cleaner.

Besides the cleaning benefits baking soda offers, it is also used in baking and home beauty recipes, meaning it is safe to digest and not dangerous to children or pets, unlike chemical cleaners. Why even risk harming your health when you can use something as effective and affordable as baking soda to clean your heaviest kitchen messes?

Where Does Baking Soda Come From?

Ancient Egyptians first used what we now consider baking soda by extracting sodium bicarbonate from natural deposits of minerals. It was first used as a teeth cleaner and a base for homemade paints.

While baking soda is naturally occurring, the kind that most people have in their cupboards is usually mined and created through a chemical process in order to turn it into a powder.

Baking soda is a safe ingredient but it can be toxic in very large quantities.

What You’ll Need

Equipment/Tools

• Reusable spray bottle
• Funnel
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cloth or sponge

Materials

• 1 1/2 cups baking soda
• 1/2 cup liquid Castile soap
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• 2 tbsp water
• 5 to 9 drops essential oil (optional)

Instructions

The combination of baking soda and vinegar is probably one of the most popular recipes that exist for cleaning.

Because of vinegar’s acidity, baking soda fizzes and releases carbon dioxide when added to this solution. The reaction works in your favor when added to dirt or grease since it will break down the dirt as it releases gas.

Baking soda and vinegar together can be used for dishes, kitchen messes and clogs, and even laundry. While the two can be very powerful on their own, the paste can also be combined with water and liquid soap for a sprayable application.

Combine Ingredients

In a reusable spray bottle, funnel in 1.5 cups baking soda, 1/2 cup liquid Castile soap, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, and 2 tablespoons water.

Shake

Shake well to combine and for the baking soda to dissolve.

Clean

Spray liberally and let sit for very caked-on messes. Essential oils can also be added for a scented spray. This recipe can be used as a simple, multi-purpose cleaner.

Baking Soda and Water

For pots, pans, shiny surfaces, and utensils, a simple baking soda and water combination is the way to go. This can be heated or applied as a paste depending on

Mix Ingredients

For cleaning surfaces, make a paste using 2 parts baking soda and 1 part water and apply directly or use a cloth to wipe the surface.

Clean Difficult Messes

For pots and pans, spray them with water and sprinkle baking soda lightly over them all. Let this sit for an hour. Then, use a sponge to clean the pots. For very stuck-on foods, boil some water in the dirty pots and add baking soda to the hot water (2 parts water to 1 part baking soda this time). Let this sit until it cools and then scrub with a sponge.

Remove Stains

Water and baking soda together can be used to sponge away stains from coffee or tea mugs, polish utensils, and clean ovens and stoves. In large quantities, it can also be used to mop tile floors.

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

While baking soda and hydrogen peroxide together can make a pretty awesome DIY toothpaste, the combination is also pretty effective for cleaning grease, hard water stains, dirty tile and backsplash, and much more.

Hydrogen peroxide on its own is commonly used to treat stains, so it should do wonders with spots or stains plaguing your kitchen.

Combine Ingredients

For a paste, mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part hydrogen peroxide.

Make a Spray

For a thin, sprayable mixture, combine 1 part baking soda with 1 part hydrogen peroxide.

Clean

Depending on how dirty your surface or item is, let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes after applying as a spray or paste. If using a paste, have your sponge ready to get scrubbing.

11 Tough Messes You Should Clean with Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

Stop wasting money on fancy, name-brand cleaners that don’t work? Make cleaning easier by using the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda powerhouse duo that’s hiding out in your pantry and medicine cabinet. I grew up using bleach and white vinegar for cleaning everything. When I got my first apartment, I tried every commercial product on the market. Most of them did a mediocre job if I could get past the strong smell. Some were so bad they took my breath away just like the bleach and vinegar. The first time I tried hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to clean my toilet was the day I threw out more than a dozen, barely used bottles of expensive cleaner. My toilet looked brand new and I’d barely started scrubbing. Plus there was absolutely zero odor. Since then, it’s been one of my favorite cleaning tips to share with friends.

Is mixing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda safe?

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are completely safe and are even recommended for cleaning and whitening your teeth. The combination can also conquer some of your toughest cleaning jobs including baked-on grease, dingy grout, laundry stains, and hard water buildup. Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizer (bleach) and mild acid 1 . It’s very effective at breaking down protein and plant-based stains including bacteria, fungi, and spores. This makes hydrogen peroxide a pretty effective cleaner all on its own. It can be slightly irritating to sensitive skin, so be sure to wear rubber gloves when using it for cleaning. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a strong alkaline and mild abrasive 2 . It’s great for scrubbing, neutralizing odors, and dissolving grease into a water-soluble compound.

What happens when you mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda?

When you mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, it causes an exothermic chemical reaction that turns it into the grease and mineral-busting cleaning powerhouse that I love.

The Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda Reaction

The exothermic reaction generates and releases a minor amount of carbon dioxide gasses. As the gasses are released, the mixture neutralizes and becomes completely water-soluble. Caution: Only mix as much as you can use at one time and NEVER store the mixture in a closed container. The carbon dioxide gasses will eventually build enough pressure inside the container to cause it to burst open and spray everywhere.

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Cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

Due to its antibacterial, bleaching, and grease-busting cleaning powers, the duo can be used to effectively clean most household messes. It’s particularly effective on tough, protein-based messes, and is a great addition to your regular cleaning routine.

1. Degrease Sheet Pans/Cookie Sheets

Are your sheet pans and cookie sheets brown and sticky even after you wash them in hot water? That’s grease starting to bake onto the surface. The most effective way to clean sheet pans is by covering them with a thick paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes. If it has started to dry out, spritz with a little peroxide to moisten. Scrub with a clean sponge. Rinse under hot running water, and dry. If your pans are completely covered, run them under hot water for a few minutes before applying the mixture. This will heat the cooked-on mess and help the mixture to penetrate and dissolve the grease.

2. Brighten Dingy Grout with Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

Clean and lighten your dirty grout by applying a thin mixture of peroxide and baking soda along the grout lines. If you’re working with vertical surfaces, add a half teaspoon of baking soda a little at a time to thicken the mixture so it stays put. Let the mixture work its magic for 15 to 20 minutes. Scrub the grout with a stiff bristle grout brush. Wipe clean with a damp sponge to remove all traces of baking soda. Let dry. Super grungy grout may need a couple of cleaning sessions. Pro Tip: Once the grout is dry, apply a good sealer to protect it. Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent and will remove any sealer you previously applied. Clean and reseal once a year to make cleaning super easy.

3. Remove Cooked on Grease From Non-Ceramic Pots and Pans

Are the cooked-on grease drips and spots on the exterior of your pans driving you crazy? Make them disappear with peroxide and baking soda. Rinse the outsides of the pans with hot water to soften the cooked-on mess. Cover with a paste of baking soda and peroxide. Let it sit for 15 to 10 minutes. Scrub with a scrubby sponge and rinse under warm water.

4. Knock Out Soap Scum

Soap scum is a pain and if you’re using bar soap, it’s building up quicker than you can remove it. Blast soap scum by scrubbing with a stiff scrub brush and a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. I pre-treat by spraying walls with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then use a clumpier paste and scrubby sponge to clean the shower walls and floor. Rinse and let air dry. If your shower glass still looks hazy, here are some more ideas for removing those hard water stains from your shower doors.

5. Descale Your Faucets with Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

You’ve probably heard of using vinegar to descale the buildup around your faucets. I stay away from vinegar because it damages so many surfaces. Instead, try the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide cleaner. Spritz the scale with a little hydrogen peroxide. Mix a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Apply the mixture to the buildup until it’s completely covered. Cover the area with plastic wrap and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap and scrub the scale with a stiff-bristled grout brush until it’s gone. Once dry, rub the area with wax paper or auto wax to slow the scale buildup.

6. Blast Through Burnt on Food

Think you ruined your favorite pot by scorching the clam chowder? Don’t throw it out just yet. Use a nylon scraper to remove as much of the mess as possible. Spray the bottom of the pan with enough hydrogen peroxide to completely cover the burnt-on mess. Sprinkle baking soda to cover the same area. Let it sit for 25-30 minutes. If the baking soda appears to be drying out, spritz with more peroxide. When time is up, scrape with the nylon scraper again, then scrub with a scrubby sponge to remove the mess.

7. Clean Hard Water Build-Up off of Non-Metal Utensils

Have you noticed any cloudy white smudges or smears on your nylon, plastic, or silicone kitchen tools? These are mineral deposits from hard water. They’re harmless but unsightly. To remove, create a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Dip a damp microfiber cloth in the mixture and scrub the cloudy spots until they’re gone. Rinse and dry. Hand wash and dry your utensils to prevent the buildup from returning.

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8. Use Peroxide and Baking Soda as a Stain Remover

Are you still battling blood, sweat stains, deodorant buildup, grease, or grass stains on your laundry? Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are the best natural cleaning ingredients for those nasty messes. For best results, mix a paste of baking soda and 3% hydrogen peroxide solution in a bowl. Place a small amount of the paste on the stained area. Use an old toothbrush or nail brush to scrub the area for a few minutes. If the paste is too thick to scrub, just add a couple of drops of water to thin it out a little. Rinse with clean water and launder as usual. You’ll have your favorite blouse and stained white shoes looking brand new in no time. Pro Tip: Always test colored fabrics in an inconspicuous area as hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent and will lighten or remove the color from some fabrics.

9. Disinfect Water Bottles

Do your water bottles need a good deep cleaning? Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda have you covered. Fill the bottle 1/4 full with hydrogen peroxide, then sprinkle in a few teaspoons of baking soda. Put the lid on briefly to agitate the mixture. Gently roll the bottle back and forth to coat the entire interior with the solution. Open the spout on the lit to slowly release the gasses, then remove the lid. Do not leave the lid on the bottle because the gasses will build up and cause excess pressure. Let the bottle and lid sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse and let air dry. The peroxide will kill any bacteria, and the baking soda helps ‘scrub’ the interior surfaces.

10. Clean Your Toilet with Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Toilet bowl rings can be some of the toughest to clean but hydrogen peroxide and baking soda make it super easy. Turn off the water and drain your toilet by dumping a large pan or bucket of water in the bowl. Use some paper towels to dry the areas that need to be cleaned. Mix a thick paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. Paint it over the dirty areas and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Add a little baking soda to your remaining paste to make it clumpy. Use the thicker paste to start scrubbing the dirty areas with a toilet brush. When you’re all done, flush the toilet a couple of times to give it a good rinse. Your toilet will be sparkling clean.

11. Remove Hard Water Spots from Cooking Utensils

Do you ever get that white powdery buildup on your plastic, nylon, and silicone cookware and utensils when you run it through the dishwasher? Those are mineral spots from hard water. Get rid of them quickly by mixing up a thick paste of baking soda and peroxide. Cover the powdery spots, scrub, then rinse and dry. Your cookware and utensils will look brand new.

Mixing Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Depending on the application, you’ll want to control how thick or thin your mixture is. Clumpy mixes (think blue cheese crumbles) work best when you need extra scouring power. I use a clumpier mix for tackling soap scum and cleaning hard water stains off of non-metal utensils. A thick but runny mix (think molasses or old paint) works best when you need it to spread and stick to vertical surfaces. You should be able to put the thicker mixture on vertical surfaces and some of it will run down, but some will also stick and stay in place. I use runny mixes for descaling my faucets and removing the cooked-on grease from the outside of my pans. The thin, runny mix (think syrup) works best for flat surfaces that can contain the spread. If you run your finger through the middle of the mixture, it should quickly fill back in and cover that bare spot. I use the thin mixture for baking sheets and the initial soak on burnt-on food, then I add baking soda to thicken it up for extra scrubbing power. There are many factors that can change how your mixture reacts including how clumpy your baking soda is, and how old your peroxide is.

Mix Ratios for Cleaning

• Clumpy – 3 parts baking soda to 1 part hydrogen peroxide
• Thick – 2.5 parts baking soda to 1 part hydrogen peroxide
• Thin – 1 part baking soda to 1 part hydrogen peroxide

If the mixture is too runny for your application, slowly add baking soda and mix thoroughly. If it’s too thick or clumpy add peroxide. I use my spray bottle when adding peroxide so I don’t ‘overpour’.

Keep Your Home Sparkling Clean with Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

Stop wasting your money on name-brand cleaners. Harness the cleaning power of 2 ingredients hiding right in your pantry and medicine cabinet.

Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda combine to create a safe yet incredibly powerful cleaning mixture capable of conquering your toughest household messes.

Baked on grease, laundry stains, burnt-on food, and hard water build-up are no match for this duo. You can even use it to clean and disinfect your water bottles, clean and brighten your grout, and melt away soap scum.

They’re perfectly safe to mix, and your mixture can be easily adjusted to fit your specific cleaning needs.

Not sure what you should be cleaning? Check out my Spring Cleaning Checklist for some ideas.

1 Hydrogen Peroxide – Natural Library of Medicine