The Amazing Cleaning Power of Baking Soda And Vinegar

 

How great would it be if you could clean your entire home using two simple ingredients? Well, you can: baking soda and vinegar. Not only are these two ingredients incredibly effective, but they are also readily available and extremely affordable. 

 

Even better? Baking soda and vinegar are non-toxic. While it is NOT safe for your little ones (or anyone) to guzzle a box of baking soda or a bottle of vinegar, it is safe if your child puts a toy cleaned with this combination in their mouth.

 

I’ve been experimenting cleaning with baking soda and vinegar for a few years and would like to share all that I have learned with you.

 

Get ready to be amazed when you can see everything this power duo can clean! 

 

What You Need to Know About Cleaning With Baking Soda and Vinegar

 

Now that you know the benefits of cleaning with baking soda and vinegar, you may be wondering how it actually works. 

 

Vinegar is highly acidic, and the acid kills harmful bacteria. It is powerful enough to penetrate without harming humans. It also effectively removes stains and grease, thanks once again to its acidic properties. 

 

Baking soda, on the other hand, is a substance that is close to salt. While I don’t recommend you sprinkle it over your food, baking soda is known to be an odor reducer. That’s why they sell little boxes to put in a stinky fridge.

 

Baking soda is also abrasive, meaning it can scrub away messes by gently scratching the surface.

 

When combined together, baking soda and vinegar have a chemical reaction. Remember those science fair volcanoes? Imagine that force and power acting on your behalf to clean a drain. God knew what He was doing!

 

What Kind of Vinegar Should I Clean With?

 

There are dozens of kinds of vinegar on the market. Before you reach for balsamic to scrub your counters with—stop!

 

While you theoretically could clean with almost any type of vinegar, some kinds of vinegar have more sugar content than others, which could leave you with a sticky mess. 

 

The best type of vinegar for cleaning is basic, plain white vinegar. It is highly effective thanks to all the acidity, and also incredibly affordable. You can buy a jug for pennies per ounce. 

 

Supplies to Have on Hand

 

Outside of the two main ingredients, there are a few other essentials you should have available to use when cleaning with this combination. 

 

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Gloves
• 2 glass spray bottles
• Microfiber cloth
• Stainless steel scrubber

 

How to Clean with Baking Soda and Vinegar 

 

Now the fun part. Let’s get practical about the ways you can affordably, quickly, and effectively clean your entire home with baking soda and vinegar. 

 

How to Clean a Bathroom with Baking Soda and Vinegar

 

Did you know you can scrub your bathroom counters or clean a toilet with vinegar and baking soda? Here’s how. 

 

Create an all-purpose bathroom cleaner. If you need something to help clean your counters and shower walls, this combination will work well. Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of dish soap. Then add 1/4 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar.

 

Mix the ingredients in a large bowl to avoid a mess when the baking soda and vinegar have a reaction to each other.

 

Mix the ingredients until no lumps are left, then pour it into a spray bottle. Make sure to shake well before using each time. 

 

This can be used on all surfaces in your bathroom, including the sink, toilet, and shower. 

 

Clean a toilet with vinegar and baking soda. Here’s where the reaction between baking soda and vinegar will work on your behalf. 

 

First, make a spray bottle with a cup of white vinegar. I recommend you add a few drops of tea tree oil for its antibacterial properties as well. 

 

Next, sprinkle baking soda inside the rim of your toilet. Spritz on the vinegar, let it sit, and use a toilet brush to scrub. 

 

To clean the exterior of the toilet and the lid, just use the spray bottle of vinegar. Make sure to wipe with a wet washcloth afterward. 

 

How to Clean a Kitchen with Baking Soda and Vinegar

 

Clean the fridge. When’s the last time you gave your fridge a good cleaning? Empty it out completely first. Then, mix together equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe all the stains and mess out of your fridge.

 

If you come across a particularly gross spot, add more vinegar and a dash of baking soda to help get it clean. Add an open box of baking soda to your fridge after to help absorb some of the vinegar smell.

 

Clean your dishwasher. Before you ask, yes, it is necessary to clean your dishwasher. Don’t believe me? Open it up, stick your head in and take a good, long whiff. 

 

Thankfully, learning how to clean your dishwasher with baking soda and vinegar is very easy to do. Check out my full post for instructions. 

 

Clean your microwave. The microwave is probably one of the most filthy spots in the kitchen. Food splatters seem to get everywhere and can quickly begin to stink if you aren’t vigilant about cleaning the microwave. 

 

Vinegar is the best tool I’ve found to quickly clean a microwave. Fill a microwave-safe glass bowl with equal parts of vinegar and water, then microwave it for about six minutes. 

 

Let it sit without opening the door for 10 minutes or so. Remove the bowl from the microwave (it will be VERY hot, so use mitts), then wipe the walls of the microwave with a microfiber cloth. 

 

Clean your oven. It’s likely your oven is way overdue for a good scrub. Good news – it’s very do-able. I have an entire post detailing how to clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar here for you. 

 

Mop the floors. Rember that multipurpose spray that you made for the bathroom? This can be used to clean the tile and laminate floors in your house as well. 

 

Clean the countertops with this multipurpose spray as well. Just be careful with granite. Vinegar can be harmful to your granite countertops over time. 

 

How to do Laundry with Baking Soda and Vinegar

 

Did you know you can use baking soda and vinegar in the laundry room too? Here are several ways to do so.

 

Make your own dryer sheets. Store-bought dryer sheets are horrible for you. They are full of harmful, toxic chemicals that you definitely do not want all over your skin.

 

Happily, you can easily make your own dryer sheets with vinegar. Now, I will warn you that you will smell a faint vinegar scent on your clothing. I also came up with a no-vinegar solution in the blog post above that works also. 

 

Boost your clothing’s colors. If your clothes are looking faded and dull, add in 1/4 cup of baking soda along with your clothes. Then run as usual. 

 

Clean your washing machine. Your washing machine rinses off a lot of pretty gross things, especially if you have children. Plus, your machine is also constantly full of water, which can lead to mold if not cleaned regularly.

 

To clean your washing machine with vinegar, add a cup full to your bleach dispenser in the machine, then sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda inside the drum. Try to get it evenly as possible on the surfaces.

 

Run the machine on the hottest cycle possible, then run a rinse cycle to get rid of the vinegar scent. Make sure it is rinsed thoroughly as vinegar and bleach can create a toxic reaction when together. 

 

Clean the top of your washer and dryer. If it’s been a while since your laundry room has had a deep clean, mix together a paste of vinegar and baking soda. It should be thick, like peanut butter. 

 

Then use a sponge to gently scrub on the paste to the top and sides of your washing machine. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. 

 

Other Things You Can Clean with Baking Soda and Vinegar

 

Want even more tips on cleaning with baking soda and/or vinegar? Here are several other things you can clean using this incredible combination, or by using one of the ingredients on its own:

 

• Glass. Vinegar is one of the best ways to clean a window or mirrors. In fact, I wrote an entire post about how to make a simple DIY window glass cleaner using vinegar. 
• Carpet stains. If you have stains on your carpet, here’s how to get rid of them. Dampen the spot using a small amount of vinegar, then sprinkle baking soda on top. Let dry then vacuum. 
• Vomit smells. Trust me, this one works. If you have a vomit smell on clothing, sprinkle some baking soda on top, then launder as usual. 
• Freshen carpet. Take some baking soda, mix in some essential oils, then sprinkle on your carpet or couches. Let it sit for about 15 minutes then vacuum it up. 

 

What ways do you use to clean with baking soda and vinegar? 

 

Thank You! Need More Support?

 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you’ll stick around and read some more.

 

Here are some more simple cleaning tips I have for you! 

 

My main passion is helping women build systems and routines that make homemaking simple. I find this possible through simplifying life, decluttering, and building routines that work for your household. If you love all of that or want to learn more you should jump on my email list. I’ll send you a bunch of info on how I take care of my house, free access to my printables library, and a weekly newsletter with challenges and tips. Hope to see you there. 

 

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How To Clean With Baking Soda And Vinegar