Our favorite cookies are made with a pinch of baking soda. So we understand if it seems unexpected that a cookie ingredient doubles as an all-purpose natural cleaner! This household staple is, however, one of the first things we reach for, not just when we’re baking, but also when we’re cleaning. Detoxing the mattress or the rug? Check. Scrubbing the tub? Check. Deodorize the fridge? Might as well!

Baking soda is 100% pure sodium bicarbonate. Its mild abrasive texture is gentle enough to use on many surfaces. And because it is alkaline, baking soda can cut through grease, dirt and oil. Alkaline cleaners are effective in neutralizing acidic odors (like urine) and removing acidic stains (like wine).

Scroll down for some more ways to use this inexpensive ingredient in your spring cleaning and all year round:

17 Ways to Clean with Baking Soda

1. Deodorize carpet

Use baking soda with lemon and juniper berry essential oils to deodorize your carpet. Simply sprinkle on the carpets and leave for 30 minutes before vacuuming the whole thing. If the blend is not to your liking, you can use lavender instead.

2. Clean cutting board

Wooden cutting boards are grosser than you think, since they don’t go in the dishwasher, and since wood tends to absorb everything you put on it. Deep clean yours with a mix of essential oils, salt, and baking soda.

3. Clean mattress

We’re spending so much time in our beds, it’s crazy how little time we spend making sure it’s properly cleaned! Baking soda comes to the rescue once more! This time, combined with fresh essential oils. Use the same method to refresh upholstery or your dog’s bed.

4. Wash produce

Store-bought fruits and veggies need a good wash, to remove not just dirt, but also germs! Simply mix baking soda with water and wash your produce as you normally would.

5. Clean cast iron

Cast iron pans are amazing, just as long as you treat them right! Scrubbing yours with some baking soda is the first step towards maintaining your pan for a lifetime.

6. Clean bathtub

Remove soap scum and make cleaning the tub slightly more pleasant with an easy combination of baking soda, castile soap, tea tree essential oil and a few more ingredients. Mix into a scrub and tackle the tub!

7. Banish garbage disposal odors

A smelly garbage disposal will make your entire kitchen smelly. Prevent that from happening with DIY tablets that also make use of your coffee grounds.

8. Clean the bathroom

Wipe down everything from tiles to sink with an all-purpose cleaning spray made with baking soda, Epsom salt, and borax. The gentle alkaline cleaner is effective against most household messes.

9. Dry wash stuffed animals

Taking away baby’s favorite stuffed animal may not be welcomed by the little one. And yet, you have to clean it! This easy solution only takes 30-60 minutes and it doesn’t include Teddy going in the wash.

10. Deodorize fridge

This one’s a classic: put some baking soda (and essential oils) in a jar in the fridge to absorb odors and keep it smelling nice and fresh.

11. Remove sweat stains

Make your own natural bleach to remove sweat stains from sports clothing and whites. You already guessed the main ingredient: baking soda!

12. Clean jewelry

Jewelry can loose its sparkle in time but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it look new again! Baking soda, salt, and soap dish go well together in this easy DIY cleaner.

13. Clean the oven

Not one of the most glamorous chores, cleaning the oven is rarely any fun. And especially not after a season of baking and roasting! Soap, baking soda, and salt are the natural ingredients you can use to scrub away the grease in no time.

14. Scrub the tub & sink

Make your own soft scrub to clean porcelain sinks and tubs. Only four ingredients needed, one of which is our famous baking soda.

15. Clean the grill

You can’t help food sticking to the grill and burning, no matter how careful you are. Scrub it down with baking soda and dish soap for best results.

16. Clean stainless steel

When cleaning the kitchen sink, start by giving it a good baking soda scrub. It gets the grime without scratching or damaging the surface, which is especially good for stainless steel sinks.

17. Clean the dishwasher

When musty smells start wafting from your dishwasher, give it a cleaning with baking soda and white vinegar. It’ll be deodorized and sanitized in no time.