Baking soda for cleaning sponges and scrubbers: 7 household uses you should know and try

Cleaning tools can quickly become grimy even when they are used to clean other things. Kitchen sponges, dish brushes, scrubbers and reusable cleaning cloths regularly come into contact with grease, food residue, soap and dirt. Instead of throwing them away at the first sign of buildup, baking soda can be useful as a simple cleaning aid. From freshening up sponges to loosening residue from brushes, this inexpensive pantry staple has several practical uses around the house.

How baking soda can help clean household tools

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a mild alkali that can help loosen certain types of dirt and grease. Its fine texture can also provide gentle abrasion when used on suitable hard surfaces. For cleaning tools, the biggest advantage is its versatility. You can combine it with water to make a simple paste or use it in a soak, depending on what you are cleaning.

However, baking soda is not a disinfectant. Cleaning removes dirt and some germs from a surface, while sanitising or disinfecting requires products specifically designed and labelled for those purposes.

Clean a grimy dish brush

Dish brushes can collect food particles and greasy residue between their bristles. Make a paste using baking soda and a small amount of water. Apply it to the bristles and handle, then gently scrub the brush against itself or with another suitable brush. Rinse thoroughly under running water and allow it to dry completely.

For brushes used with raw meat, poultry or other potentially contaminated foods, ordinary cleaning may not be enough to address all pathogens. Follow food-safety guidance and replace heavily worn or contaminated tools when necessary.

Freshen up a kitchen sponge

Kitchen sponges can develop unpleasant smells because they remain damp and regularly pick up food particles.vA baking soda soak can help loosen residue and freshen the sponge. Add baking soda to warm water, place the sponge in the solution and allow it to soak before rinsing thoroughly. But don't rely on baking soda alone to make an old sponge hygienic.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends replacing kitchen sponges frequently because they can harbour bacteria. A sponge that remains dirty, smells unpleasant or has deteriorated is better replaced than repeatedly cleaned.

Remove residue from scrubbers

Reusable scrubbers can accumulate grease, soap residue and grime over time. For suitable plastic or synthetic scrubbers, sprinkle baking soda over the damp surface and gently work it into the material with water. The mild abrasive action can help loosen residue without requiring a harsh abrasive cleaner.

Rinse the scrubber thoroughly afterwards and let it dry completely before storing it. Avoid using baking soda as a scrub on delicate materials that can scratch easily. When in doubt, test a small inconspicuous area first.

Tackle grease on cleaning brushes

A greasy cleaning brush can become difficult to use because oil and residue cling to the bristles. Baking soda can be combined with warm water to create a simple cleaning solution. Work the brush through the mixture, paying particular attention to the base of the bristles where grime tends to accumulate. Rinse until the water runs clear and leave the brush somewhere well ventilated to dry.

For heavy grease, a suitable dishwashing detergent may be more effective than baking soda alone.

Clean the handles too

The bristles or scrubbing surface usually get the most attention, but handles can also accumulate dirt, grease and residue. A damp cloth with a small amount of baking soda can be used to gently clean many plastic handles. Wipe the surface, then rinse or wipe it again with clean water.

This is particularly useful for tools that are handled repeatedly, such as dish brushes, bottle brushes and household scrubbers. Keep water and cleaning solutions away from electrical components if the tool contains any.

Use baking soda to clean bottle brushes

Bottle brushes can be particularly awkward to clean because food and drink residue can remain trapped between their bristles. Soaking the brush in warm water with baking soda can help loosen residue. After soaking, work the bristles thoroughly and rinse under running water.

The brush should then be allowed to dry completely. If the bristles become discoloured, damaged or permanently odorous, replacing the brush is often the better option.

Give reusable cleaning tools a deeper clean

Baking soda can also be used as part of a broader cleaning routine for reusable household tools. Start by removing visible debris. Wash the tool with warm water and an appropriate detergent, then use baking soda where additional scrubbing or odour control is useful.

Rinse thoroughly and dry the item completely. This approach is more effective than assuming baking soda alone can sterilise a cleaning tool.

When should you replace your cleaning tools?

Not every sponge or brush needs to be rescued. Replace a sponge when it is falling apart, develops persistent odours or remains visibly dirty despite cleaning. Brushes should also be replaced when their bristles become badly worn, damaged or difficult to clean.

Baking soda works best as a low-cost cleaning helper, not as a reason to keep an unhygienic tool indefinitely. For everyday housekeeping, however, using a little baking soda with water can give brushes, scrubbers and other reusable cleaning tools a simple refresh before they reach the end of their useful life.