We're all trying to save a little bit of money as and where we can amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, and for many, that means ditching expensive name-brand chemicals and cleaners and opting for far cheaper solutions.
One that we see springing up time and time again from cleaning buffs is baking soda - which in it's own right is a fantastic natural product to blast dirt and grime while whitening light clothing.
However, despite many thinking that it's a generic solution for all stains, there are certain things around the home that you should never ever touch with the stuff - according to Sarah Dempsey at myjobquote.co.uk.
Read more: Expert's guide to how often you should clean your home room by room
The Express reports that this is because baking soda is mildly abrasive and can sometimes scratch or cause damage when cleaning particular surfaces. To help you avoid damage, and in-turn further costs, the expert has compiled a list of six things that shouldn't be scrubbed with baking soda.
1. Glass
Sarah says that people should 'avoid cleaning glass' with the product, explaining: "Baking soda is an abrasive cleaner. This means that there is a chance it could scratch the glass that you’re trying to clean.”
Instead of baking soda, try using glass cleaner or white vinegar to remove smudges and marks from your mirrors and glass.
2. Ceramic stove top
While baking soda will blast most stove tops effectively, ones made out of ceramic glass should never be cleaned with it. Similarly to glass, baking soda can scratch ceramic surfaces, leaving behind a white film that can be very difficult to remove.
Sarah said: “If you have accidentally used baking soda to clean your ceramic stove top, you can remove the white film with white vinegar.”
3. Marble
Likewise, you should never use baking soda to clean marble countertops or anything made from the metamorphic rock. Sarah explained: "Over time, baking soda can cause damage to the protective layer on the marble and this will result in scratches beginning to appear on the marble.”
Marble is also incredibly expensive, so can be substantially costly when in need of repair or replacement. Cleaners are advised to instead use soap and water, as well as specific marble cleaners.
4. Wooden furniture
People cleaning wooden furniture should never use baking soda to do so, with Sarah warning: "Baking soda can be too harsh on certain types of wooden furniture or it could be damaging to any sealants or finishes on the wood.
“If the sealant on the furniture wears away, this will ruin the piece of furniture.”
Use furniture polish instead, or a mixture of dish soap and water.
5. Gold plated cutlery
Gold-lined cutlery should also never be cleaned with baking soda, as the soft metal will not be able to handle the abrasive nature of baking soda. Sarah continued: "You should avoid using baking soda to clean anything with gold plating. Gold is a very soft metal that won’t be able to handle the abrasive nature of the baking soda.
“The baking soda could cause scratches and damages on the finish, but it could also cause the gold plating to completely wear away.”
6. Anything with deep grooves or cracks
When it comes to cleaning dirt from tricky grooves and cracks, you should steer clear of baking soda, as it can leave a 'dusty white residue' behind. Not only will this look unsightly, but small particles of the product can also become trapped in nooks and crannies, making them even dirtier.
TV remotes, computer keyboards and certain types of grooved furniture should never be cleaned with the soda, with users instead urged to use slightly dampened microfibre cloths.
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