Baking soda and vinegar are amazing cleaning agents, but it’s important to understand how to use them together. Once you do, you can clean nearly anything!
If you love using cleaners that are natural eco-friendly but also powerful, you can’t beat baking soda and vinegar. These two ingredients are affordable and highly effective in cleaning multiple surfaces and materials, without the use of harsh chemicals.
Many cleaning products on the market today contain harmful chemicals that can be detrimental to our health and the environment. Baking soda and vinegar provide a non-toxic alternative that is both effective and safe.
What Happens When You Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar
We can’t say it clearly enough: never mix these two together in a bottle and think you’re going to spray it around the house as a powerful fizzy cleaner. Mixed in this way, they chemically cancel each other out and turn into a solution no more useful than water.
When combined, they create a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas, water, and sodium acetate. The reaction can be so strong that it can cause explosions or eruptions in some cases.
While the fizzing action of baking soda and vinegar might seem like a powerful cleaning combination, it’s important to use them separately to avoid any hazardous reactions.
To be clear, there are times you want to use the two of them separately on the same cleaning job. There are also times you want to use them together to produce that fizzy reaction.
Again, the point here is to never, ever try to make a solution out of them. That just doesn’t work. But here are some things that do work.
The Magic of Vinegar and Baking Soda
One of the most incredible things about baking soda and vinegar is that they are both natural, non-toxic, and readily available. You can find these cleaning ingredients anywhere, from your local grocery store to your pantry.
The combination of baking soda and vinegar can help you eliminate stubborn stains, dirt, and grime without the need for harsh chemical cleaners.
Cleaning Your Kitchen with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Kitchen is the heart of every home, where families gather to cook, eat, and share their day. However, it’s also one of the messiest places in the house. Grease splatters, food stains, and sticky residue are just a few examples of the challenges that come with keeping a kitchen clean.
Fortunately, baking soda and vinegar can help you tackle these issues without harsh chemicals or expensive products. Start by mixing equal parts baking soda and water to form a paste.
This paste works great on stovetops, appliances, counters, and sinks. Dip a sponge or cloth into the mixture and scrub away any grime or dirt.
Vinegar cuts grease effectively while removing stubborn stains from kitchen surfaces too. Grab an empty spray bottle for your mix 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water solution spray onto surfaces you want cleaned then wipe using a sponge or microfiber towel.
Baking soda also works as an odor eliminator in fridges and freezers which leaves them smelling fresh without using toxic chemicals.
Baking Soda and Vinegar for Bathroom Cleaning
Toilet Bowls and Sinks
- Spray vinegar around inside your toilet bowl or sink.
- Sprinkle baking soda everywhere you just put the vinegar. You may need to spray more vinegar on to start the fizzing reaction.
- Once it’s stopped fizzing, clean the toilet bowl as you usually do.
Shower Heads and Faucets
To clean a shower head or faucet with baking soda and vinegar:
- Mix equal parts baking soda and water to create a paste.
- Apply the paste to the faucet using a soft cloth or sponge, rubbing it in gently.
- Next, spray white vinegar over the faucet until it starts to fizz.
- Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly with water.
- Finally, use a dry cloth to buff the faucet until it shines.
Clean a Smelly or Clogged Drain
- Sprinkle a good bit of baking soda down the drain.
- Follow it with some vinegar.
- Let them sit for 15-60 minutes, and then pour hot water down the sink.
This also works on garbage disposals.
In addition to removing dirt and stains from your bathroom surfaces, baking soda and vinegar can also help eliminate unpleasant smells. Simply sprinkle some baking soda onto your bathroom carpet or rug before vacuuming it up to freshen it up instantly.
Brightening up Your Laundry with Baking Soda and Vinegar
It’s a common misconception that commercial laundry detergents are the only way to get your clothes clean and smelling fresh. In fact, baking soda and vinegar can be just as effective at cleaning and brightening your laundry, while being more environmentally friendly and gentle on your clothes.
To brighten up your laundry with baking soda and vinegar, start by adding half a cup of baking soda to your washing machine during the wash cycle.
This will help to neutralize any odors and break down any stains. Then, during the rinse cycle, add half a cup of white vinegar. The vinegar will help to soften your clothes, prevent static cling, and brighten up colors.
Another option is to create a pre-soak solution using equal parts baking soda and water. Soak your clothes for at least 30 minutes before washing as normal. This method is especially effective at removing tough stains.
By using baking soda and vinegar in your laundry routine, you can achieve clean, fresh-smelling clothes without relying on harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances.
Getting Your Floors to Shine with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Cleaning your linoleum or vinyl floors with baking soda and vinegar is an excellent cost-effective solution that will leave your floors looking spotless. The natural cleaning properties of both baking soda and vinegar are excellent for removing dirt, grime, and even stubborn stains that may have been left by other cleaning products.
To clean your floors using baking soda and vinegar, start by sweeping or vacuuming the floor to remove any loose dirt or debris. Then, mix together a solution of equal parts water and vinegar in a bucket.
Dip a mop into the solution and wring it out until it’s damp but not dripping. Sprinkle some baking soda onto the floor in small sections, then use the damp mop to scrub the baking soda into the floor gently. Rinse the mop regularly as you go along.
Baking Soda and Vinegar for Cleaning Home Appliances
When it comes to cleaning home appliances, baking soda and vinegar can be a powerful combination. These two natural ingredients can help you get rid of grime, stains, and bad odors in your appliances without using any harsh chemicals that could damage them.
To clean your dishwasher with baking soda and vinegar, start by removing any food scraps or debris from the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the bottom of the machine and run a hot water cycle.
Next, fill a cup with white vinegar and place it on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run another hot water cycle to allow the vinegar to remove any remaining grime or buildup.
Related: How to Clean Your Dishwasher (4 Steps)
Conclusion
In conclusion, baking soda and vinegar are powerful yet natural cleaning agents that can be used to effectively remove tough stains, grime, and dirt in your home. Not only are they affordable and eco-friendly, but the combination of these two ingredients can leave your home smelling fresh and clean without the use of harsh chemicals.