Despite its strengths, baking soda has some significant drawbacks when used on glass: Risk of Scratches: Even as a “mild” abrasive, baking soda can damage glass surfaces, especially with excessive or vigorous scrubbing. These fine scratches will lead to a hazy or dull appearance over time.
Baking soda and glass don't go together. Don't use this compound near any glass surfaces, including windows, glassware, or glass stovetops, or there is a risk of damaging them. "Baking soda can be abrasive, potentially causing scratches on glass surfaces," says Mock.
Baking Soda for Scrubbing Without Scratches
This method is particularly effective for removing soap scum and water spots while being gentle enough not to damage the glass.
Baking soda
A staple in most kitchen cupboards, the abrasive nature of this handy powder can gently sand away marks on glass surfaces. With equal parts baking soda and water, you can stir up a thick paste. A little goes a long way, so, depending on the size of the scratch, you should only need a spoonful or two.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a very soft abrasive of 2.5 on the Mohs hardness rating, meaning it's softer than the majority of surfaces it would go up against, but would still damage anything softer.
In the world of oral hygiene products, there's a scale called 'Relative Dentin Abrasivity' (or RDA). It ranks product abrasive from zero (not abrasive) to over 200 (super abrasive). Baking soda is only a 7 on the RDA scale.
It's simple. If you use baking soda on your ceramic hob alone, you will scratch it. That being said, if you use it in combination with vinegar as we showed you in our guide, your ceramic hob will be absolutely fine and scratch-free.
Small, superficial scratches can probably be buffed out, but deep cracks can't be treated this way and will require professional repair. You can use the toothpaste method to buff out small scratches or try a trusty Mr. Clean Magic Eraser—it's one of the most effective at-home tools for removing light scratches.
Scratches can be removed from most types of glass. Whether you have scratches on bi-fold doors, balustrades, shop front window, a coffee table, escalator glass or anything else glass, it can be repaired. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions like 'If you can catch your finger on it, it can't be fixed'.
To protect your tabletop from scratching, avoid placing hot items such as plates, bowls, or cooking utensils directly on the table. Encourage family members to always use placemats and coasters whenever they put something on the table. That way, you can still enjoy meals at the table without scratching the glass.
Specialized Tools and Techniques: To keep shower glass clean, hotels use soft cloths to dry the glass after each cleaning session, preventing water spots. For tougher grime, a mixture of liquid dish soap and baking soda can be applied, especially in the shower door tracks, where buildup is common.
Magic Erasers are generally safe on glass shower doors, but it's best to be gentle.
Baking soda is "not suitable for cleaning glass surfaces like mirrors or windows," says Mock, because you're likely to scratch those surfaces.
Get a bucket or large bowl and fill it with warm water. Then, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts, baking soda or hydrogen peroxide. “Soaking your foot for 20 minutes may draw the glass out,” notes Dr. Capin.
The most popular “home remedy” for scratched glasses is applying a paste made from baking soda and water. But, like any at-home hack for removing scratches from glasses, it's meant to wear away at the coating on your lenses until the scratches aren't as visible. Not ideal!
As you learn how to remove scratches from glass, you can make your own scratch-repair paste with baking soda and water. Grab a bowl or other container. Mix one part baking soda and one part water together in the bowl. That means if you use two tablespoons of baking soda, you'll add two tablespoons of water.
Get minty fresh scratch-free glass
Using a micro-fibre or other clean and soft, lint-free cloth, rub a tiny amount of toothpaste on the scratched area using a circular motion. Leave on for 30 seconds, wipe off the excess, and inspect the area to determine if another application is necessary.
WD-40: This lubricant is excellent for squeaky hinges, but it has no place in glass scratch repair. It won't fill in scratches or magically make them disappear.
According to Andrii Gurskyi, an expert at Mr. Glazier, two household staples—toothpaste and vinegar—can remove most superficial glass scratches with ease.
We recommend mixing alcohol with a gentle non-abrasive product, like baking soda, and then gently rubing it on the lenses with a microfiber cloth. Rubbing an alcoholic abrasive can be very useful to remove scratches from the sunglasses.
Baking soda is a mild abrasive, which makes it excellent for gently scouring stains off of hard surfaces, but when it comes to cleaning scratch-prone materials like glass or windows, baking soda should be avoided.
Baking soda can be a helpful option for cleaning glass in specific situations, such as tackling tough stains or when other products aren't available. However, its abrasiveness and potential to leave residue make it less suitable for routine cleaning.