It’s strong enough to scrub away hardened food and mineral deposits but gentle enough not to scratch most surfaces like stainless steel or porcelain.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a mild alkali that dissolves dirt and grease in water, while its fine crystals act as a gentle abrasive. It deodorizes without scratching most sink materials. This guide covers kitchen sinks (stainless steel, porcelain, composite) and bathroom sinks (ceramic, glass, enamel).
This is the secret step most people skip. Take your old toothbrush, dip it in the baking soda paste, and scrub:
Dip an old toothbrush in water, then into baking soda to make a stiff paste. Scrub around the drain opening, the sink overflow holes (bathroom sinks), the pop-up stopper, and the rim where the sink meets the counter. Let the paste sit for 2–3 minutes while you move to the faucet.