If you’re a fan of natural cleaning wonders, you probably have a soft spot for baking soda. It’s the uncontested champion of grandma’s tips and the darling of eco-friendly homes everywhere. But what if some of your favourite soda tricks are, well, not as magical as you thought?
Baking Soda: Not the Multi-Purpose Cleaner You Hoped For
Let’s set the scene: For years, baking soda has enjoyed superstar status. Need to get rid of smells? Whiten your laundry? Destroy stubborn stains? Just grab the baking soda—and maybe throw in some white vinegar for good measure. However, according to Raphaël Haumont, a molecular gastronomy researcher and educator, only one of these uses is actually effective. Time to bust a few myths and save you some elbow grease (and maybe a shirt or two).
Mistake #1: Tackling Grease Stains with Baking Soda (And Vinegar, Too!)
You know the drill: Grease on your kitchen counter, table, or shirt? Sprinkle baking soda or whip up a paste, and scrub away. Sounds good in theory, but science says otherwise. Baking soda is a salt. And here’s the clincher: salt and fat are like oil and water—they just don’t mix. Baking soda isn’t even soluble in oil.
So, trying to lift a grease stain with baking soda is, unfortunately, doomed. There’s just no affinity between the two. What does work? Dishwashing liquid. Seriously, your humble washing-up liquid contains molecules that “love both water and oil”, so they can latch on to the fat, loosen it, and wash it right down the drain.
- This goes for vinegar as well—since vinegar isn’t soluble in oil either, it won’t help here. Save both for other cleaning adventures!
Mistake #2: Relying on Baking Soda to Banish Odors from the Fridge
Is your fridge smelling suspiciously fishy or displaying notes of strong cheese? Many reach for a small bowl of baking soda, popping it in the middle of the shelf with hope and optimism. But don’t start singing its praises just yet.
Once again, baking soda is a salt, and here’s the issue: *aromatic* molecules (the ones responsible for odors) are often soluble in oil. That’s why your butter absorbs fridge odors so quickly—the smells move right into the fat.
But don’t empty your soda stock just yet. A fine powder like baking soda (or coffee grounds, or activated charcoal) can somewhat absorb gases, humidity, and a few odor molecules at the surface. The problem is, it’s not enough for tough smells. The best fix is the classic: clean your fridge regularly with soapy water and store foods in airtight containers to keep smells at bay.
- Baking soda will not act as a magic shield against fridge funk, but it can mop up a bit of surface-level odor in a pinch.
Mistake #3: Using Baking Soda on Red Wine Stains
Red wine on your favourite tablecloth or blouse? Out comes the baking soda again. But this common trick is more illusion than solution.
When baking soda meets a red wine stain, a curious thing happens. First, things start to fizz—because wine is acidic, and as our scientific expert says, “acid + baking soda = foam”. But there’s more: the pigments in grape skins (which give wine its vibrant color) react to acidity. In wine (acidic), they’re red. In contact with baking soda (which is basic), they turn blue, sometimes even brown.
So, what have you accomplished? Not cleaning the stain—just changing its color. (Novelty tie-dyed linens, anyone?)
If you have a garden, you might grab some fine sand and use it to soak up the excess liquid. Not very urban-friendly, perhaps, but it’s certainly more effective.
- For best results, turn to pure dishwashing liquid. Let it work its magic for about ten minutes, then drop the item straight into the washing machine. Simple—and effective!
Conclusion: Keep Your Soda, Change Your Habits!
Baking soda, for all its virtues, isn’t the answer to every household woe. According to our specialist, only one of its so-called miracle uses passes the science test. Your takeaway? Use dishwashing liquid on grease and wine, clean your fridge with soapy water, and remember that even the noblest powders have their limits. A pinch of skepticism goes a long way—almost as far as a good scrub.
