How to Remove Stains with Baking Soda: The Ultimate Guide for Every Surface

April 25, 2025 Tai Massimilian

A woman scrubbing tile grout with a sponge, using a natural cleaner like baking soda in the bathroom.

Looking to remove stains without harsh chemicals? Baking soda for stains is the ultimate natural cleaner hiding in plain sight. It’s not just for cooking or to deodorize your fridge. We have seen baking soda get out everything from serious carpet spills to dried-in shirt stains, and it does it without toxins or harsh chemical smells. The best part? It’s affordable, natural, and safe to use around kids and pets.

For your convenience, we have put this entire complete guide together to show you how to use baking soda to remove stains from every common household surface, clothes to tile, we will take it step by step, so you will know exactly what to do; and when it’s time to call the professionals.

Stains You Can Remove with Baking Soda

Let’s break down the deep stains that we can remove with baking soda and how to do it so that we receive the maximum benefits out of it:

Remove Stains from Fabric & Clothing

Baking soda is a great first step towards deodorizing and treating clothing stains caused by sweat, wine, coffee, or grease. For fresh stains, we typically use a pre-soak approach. A quart of warm water mixed with 4 tablespoons of baking soda will do the trick; soak the fabric for a minimum of 30 minutes. The soaking helps to release the stain while not bleaching or harming the fabric.

For stains embedded within the fabric, we use a paste, three parts of baking soda and roughly one part of water. Rub the paste into the fabric and wash as normal. If you would like to increase the cleansing efforts, add a half cup of baking soda to your washing machine along with your other detergents. Baking soda absorbs odors and brightens the fabric.

Pro Tip: Always spot test first, especially with delicate items made of silk or wool. Certain fabrics and fibers react with baking soda, so start small and work your way up.

Carpet & Rug Stains

From muddy footprints to pet accidents, we’ve all had our run-ins with mystery stains on carpets. Baking soda can help deodorize things and freshen them up a little before you do a more in-depth cleaning. Sprinkle a layer over the stain, let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, and then vacuum it off.

For deeper stains—like spills of wine or food—mix baking soda and a little water to make a thick paste. Spread it on the stain and let it dry completely. Then vacuum again.

If things are particularly tough, add white vinegar to your paste. The bubbling action can help break stubborn grime down, but don’t use it on natural fiber rugs unless you test it on a spot first.

Vella does detailed vacuuming for carpets/rugs, and you can check out our other services and book your next deep clean in Texas.

Upholstery & Mattresses

A cleaning professional arranging pillows on a bed, possibly after using baking soda to refresh the mattress.

Couches and mattresses can be odor and sweat traps! A light sprinkling of baking soda over the fabric will absorb odors while you sleep. In the morning, just vacuum it up.

For visible stains, we’ve used just two simple ingredients: baking soda and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. This paste is effective for any fresh food stains or pet stains. Take care to only dab—not rub—the stain with a clean cloth. If it still looks bad, and you’re never getting that stain out, you may need more help. Although we do not provide upholstery cleaning,

Using Baking Soda for Stains in Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the best area for baking soda. We use it on our stovetops, countertops, ovens, and microwaves all the time. To use, sprinkle baking soda on greasy areas or on the surface of something, then dampen a sponge and scrub gently. On baked-on messes, let the baking soda sit for 15-20 minutes before wiping clean.

Baking soda is safe on stainless steel, enamel, and glass, but please don’t use it on aluminum because it can actually discolor it.

We recommend products like Bon Ami powder, if you are looking for some more polish when it comes to cleaning, and baking soda alone is not working out.

Are you a resident of Texas and want a deeper clean? Book a service with us. Vella offers cleaning services across Texas, including Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Plano.

Bathroom Grime & Tile Grout

A baking soda scrub can wipe out soap scum and mildew. Mix baking soda with enough water to make a thick paste and use a firm-bristle brush to scrub it into tile grout or crusty corners.

If you want to add a little scent to the task, add lemon juice. This also gives a slightly cleaner edge due to its acidity. After you have scrubbed, rinse thoroughly with warm water.

This cleaning technique works wonders in the showers, tub rim, and sink edges where mold and stains build up quickly. If you have marble or natural stone, proceed with caution—use only what the manufacturer recommends, or hire professional help.

Wall & Floor Scuff Marks

Scuff marks from shoes or bags don’t require heavy-duty chemicals. Just take a damp cloth and dab it in a little baking soda, and then rub the area. Even though it seems to be such a small aspect, it works surprisingly well on painted walls, tile, laminate, baseboards, etc.

Sometimes scrubbing can hurt the wall color. A professional housekeeper like Vella has some of the best products, such as Bon Ami, to get all of the gunk off of your wall without risking your deposit check. Also, if there are tough spots that repeatedly occur, just book a recurring clean to keep things in check.

Baking Soda Do’s and Don’ts

A collection of non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning products, including Branch Basics and Dr. Bronner’s soap, used by Vella Clean.

DO:

Always spot test on all surfaces first
Mix with warm water, and for a little extra strength, vinegar

DON’T:

Use on aluminum, unfinished wood, or waxed surfaces
Scrub too hard on delicate materials like wallpaper or leather

Although baking soda is relatively gentle, it is not foolproof. By understanding the appropriate time to use it and when not to, you can avoid causing damage.

Bonus Tip

When you need to remove stains quickly, baking soda + vinegar is a powerful combo.

Looking for a natural bubbling action that helps break down grime? Use equal parts vinegar and baking soda. The fizz is great for clogged drains, around taps, and in grout that is just caked with grime.

Just remember to rinse the area and don’t use any commercial cleaners with this combination; it can create unsafe reactions.

Why Vella Trusts Natural Cleaners Like Baking Soda

At Vella, we stand for clean that’s healthy. Our cleaners always use family-safe, non-toxic products — most of which include baking soda — for deep-cleaning treatments. It’s also useful for pre-treatment of smelly areas and refreshing mattresses or soft furnishings.

Moreover, we offer a range of handpicked products that meet our requirements for safety and efficiency. There’s a reason we have baking soda in our toolkit: it works.

Need a Stain Gone for Good? Let Vella Handle It

Two Vella cleaning staff standing in front of a Vella Clean van parked outside a home in Texas, offering professional cleaning services.

Baking soda is a hero ingredient to remove stains from any room in your home. It’s safe, inexpensive, and versatile enough for just about every surface imaginable. It works on everything from laundry to counters.

Want to skip the DIY and remove stains professionally? Whether it’s upholstery, tile grout, or just a deep home refresh, Vella’s eco-friendly cleaning services across Texas have you covered. Get started today.

Want an extremely deep clean? Trust the best, trust Vella!