The All Natural Cleaning Agent That’ll Leave Your Garden Tools Sparkling

Baking soda is used for a myriad of things, from cleaning to health to preservation, due to its antibacterial properties and ability to absorb odor. It’s a type of salt that comes from mineral deposits. It was discovered in the 1790s but wouldn’t become a household staple for about 70 years. Baking soda is made up of particles and is considered a mild abrasive due to its finely-grained texture. Abrasive components are included in cleaning products because they remove several types of stains thanks to their grittiness. This is a big reason why baking soda is such a good cleaner for garden tools; you need some grit to remove grime and rust.

Even though baking soda is gritty and capable of removing dirt, it’s safe to use on many surfaces because it isn’t corrosive. You can use it on stainless steel  — a common gardening tool material — without having to worry about scratching up the surface.