Club soda usually ends up in a cocktail, a glass with lemon, or the back of the fridge after a party. But if you have an extra bottle sitting around, you can use it in a few other ways before it goes flat.
Carbonation can help with fresh spills and light messes, and it can also come in handy for a few kitchen and household tasks. Club soda isn’t a replacement for a proper cleaner in every situation, but it’s an easy option to try for a small mess.
Before you forget about that half-full bottle in the fridge, here are 15 ways to put club soda to work around the house.
1. Help With Fresh Clothing Stains
Club soda has long been used as a quick response to fresh spills on clothing and other washable fabrics. The liquid can help loosen some of the residue, making it easier to blot up before the stain has more time to set.
If you spill coffee, wine, or another drink on a shirt, blot up as much as possible first. Then pour a small amount of club soda over the spot and blot again with a clean cloth. It won’t remove every stain, but it can help with a fresh spill when you don’t have stain remover nearby.
2. Clean Small Carpet and Upholstery Spills
A fresh spill on the carpet or sofa is much easier to deal with before it dries. Use club soda to dampen the spot and help loosen the spilled liquid before you blot it up.
Use a small amount, not enough to soak the fabric. Blot with a clean towel, working from the outside of the spot toward the middle, and test the method on a hidden area first if you’re working with delicate upholstery.
3. Freshen Musty Laundry
If a load of towels or clothes has picked up a stale smell, club soda may be worth trying as a small laundry trick. Some people add a little to the wash or use it to dampen a spot before laundering the item normally.
It isn’t a substitute for detergent, and it won’t fix laundry that’s been left wet for too long. For clothes and towels that regularly come out smelling musty, the bigger issue may be the washer itself, the amount of detergent you’re using, or leaving damp laundry sitting around. Some common household items shouldn’t go in the washing machine, so always check care instructions first.
4. Freshen Soft Surfaces
Carpets, pet beds, and other washable fabric surfaces can hold onto odors. Use a little club soda as a light spot treatment for a small, fresh mess.
Blot the area first, apply a small amount of club soda, and blot again with a clean towel. Let the fabric dry fully afterward. For something like a mattress, avoid soaking the material since trapped moisture can create a whole new problem.
5. Wipe Down Glass and Mirrors
Club soda can quickly wipe fingerprints and light grime off glass. Put a little on a microfiber cloth or spray a small amount onto the surface, then wipe it clean.
For heavier buildup, you’ll still get better results from a proper homemade glass cleaner. Club soda is best for quick touch-ups when a mirror has a few fingerprints or a glass table needs a fast wipe.
6. Clean Stainless Steel and Chrome
Fingerprints and water spots seem to show up on stainless steel appliances almost immediately. A cloth dampened with club soda can help lift light smudges and leave the surface looking cleaner.
The same idea can work on chrome faucets and other smooth fixtures. Afterward, dry the surface with a clean microfiber cloth to avoid water spots.
7. Help With Light Bathroom Grime
Club soda can help wipe down porcelain sinks, faucets, and other bathroom surfaces with light dirt or residue. It may also help loosen some surface grime before you wipe it away.
For toilet stains, soap buildup, hard-water deposits, and other stubborn bathroom messes, a product made for that particular job will usually work better. Think of club soda as something you can try for a quick cleanup, rather than a full bathroom cleaner.
8. Clean Certain Jewelry
A little club soda can help loosen surface oils and everyday grime from some jewelry. Pour a small amount into a bowl, let the piece sit briefly, then gently wipe it with a soft cloth.
This isn’t a good method for every piece of jewelry. Porous stones, pearls, glued settings, plated pieces, and delicate vintage jewelry may need different care. If you’re unsure about a valuable or sentimental piece, check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before soaking it.
9. Brighten Dull Metal
Club soda is sometimes used as a quick way to freshen up dull metal items. The carbonation and mild acidity may help with light surface residue, but it isn’t a replacement for a proper metal polish.
If you want to try it, dampen a soft cloth with club soda and gently rub the surface. Test a small, hidden area first, especially with silver, brass, copper, or anything with a special finish.
10. Help With Stubborn Hardware
A rusty screw or bolt can be frustrating when you’re trying to make a repair. Club soda is sometimes used on lightly rusted hardware because its mild acidity may help loosen some surface corrosion.
Pour a little over the affected area and let it sit briefly before trying the hardware again. For heavily rusted pieces, a dedicated rust penetrant is usually the better choice.
11. Loosen Stuck Gum
Gum stuck to fabric, carpet, or another surface can be a real nuisance. Club soda may help loosen the sticky residue, making removal a little easier.
Dampen a cloth with club soda and work around the gum rather than flooding the entire area. Once it starts to loosen, gently lift it away. For gum stuck in hair, a little oil or conditioner is usually a better option than soaking the hair with club soda.
12. Loosen Food Stuck to Cookware
If food has dried on the bottom of a pan, try club soda before reaching for a stronger cleaner. Pour enough into the warm pan to cover the stuck-on area and let it sit for a few minutes.
The carbonation may help loosen some of the residue, making it easier to scrub away. For cast iron cookware, skip long soaks and dry the pan thoroughly afterward to prevent rust.
13. Freshen a Garbage Disposal
A little club soda can help with a quick cleanup of the garbage disposal. Pour some down the disposal, let it sit briefly, then run cold water and the disposal to flush the area.
It may help with light residue and odors, but it won’t replace a thorough cleaning when there’s a buildup problem. For more ideas, check out this guide on how to get rid of smells in a garbage disposal.
14. Give Houseplants an Occasional Drink
Some people use flat club soda on houseplants because it contains small amounts of minerals from the water and added ingredients. If you want to try it, use plain, unflavored club soda and let it go flat first.
This shouldn’t replace regular watering or plant food. Different plants also have different needs, so don’t make it a routine unless you know the plant can handle it. Here are more houseplant hacks that actually work if you’re looking for other ways to care for your plants.
15. Cool and Soothe Minor Skin Irritation
A cool, damp cloth can feel good on mildly irritated or itchy skin, and you can use club soda to dampen the cloth. The cooling effect may provide temporary comfort, but strong evidence doesn’t show that club soda treats insect bites or other skin problems.
If you try it, use plain club soda and stop if your skin becomes more irritated. For a bite or rash that’s painful, spreading, swollen, or accompanied by other symptoms, use an appropriate treatment or consult a healthcare professional.
