Vinegar and Baking Soda Cleaning Recipes

Baking soda and vinegar happen to be the most common answer when it comes to chemical cleaning products. These two ingredients are not only inexpensive, but they are healthy alternatives that will leave your house sparkling.

How Does a Baking Soda and Vinegar Cleaning Recipe Work?

It is a rather straightforward process. On their own, they have their cleaning perks, but they are better when put together.

Baking soda is an excellent deodorizer and abrasive. Therefore, it is ideal for scrubbing and absorption. Vinegar, on the other hand, is remarkable at lifting water stains.

When combined, the fizzing action of mixing an acid (vinegar) and a base (baking soda) helps dissolve gunk and messes, so they are easier to wipe away. You can use one of these mops for better results.

Nonetheless, baking soda and vinegar recipes should not be your first cleaning solution as you are left with salt water once the fizzing stops. You have to create another mixture to continue cleaning.

Though the duo should not be your first cleaning defense, there are instances where they come in handy. Below are some of the most popular recipes out of hundreds of other home cleaning recipes.

In the Kitchen

The kitchen is one area where the duo of baking soda and vinegar comes in handy.

• Cleaning a Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink

Start by wetting the sink and sprinkling baking soda on the wet surface. Scrub the sink, and rinse. Make sure to clean the rim and caulk. Then soak some towels, preferably paper towels in vinegar, and line the sink. Leave for 20 to 30 minutes.

• Cleaning the Drain

Vinegar and baking soda are also ideal when it comes to unclogging your drain. Pour four tablespoons of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Rinse with warm water once the fizzing stops.

• Cleaning the Refrigerator

When cleaning the refrigerator, you will use the two separately. Use equal parts of vinegar and water to clean inside and outside the fridge. Vinegar is excellent for preventing mildew growth. Afterward, place a box of baking soda inside to keep odors away.

• Cleaning Mugs

Mugs and stains in cups and carafes are no match for this baking soda and vinegar duo. Add equal parts of the two, scrub, and then rinse. The fizzing action helps eliminate all tough stains.

In the Bathroom

You can use vinegar and baking soda separately or together to clean various parts of the bathroom.

• Cleaning the Toilet Bowl

First, spray the bowl with vinegar until it is wet. Follow this by sprinkling baking soda into the wet toilet bowl. The baking soda should stick thanks to the vinegar. You can spray some more vinegar to start the reaction, then scrub the toilet bowl thoroughly after two or three minutes.

• Cleaning the Shower Head

Limescale and mineral build-up is inevitable, especially if you live in areas with hard water. But baking soda and vinegar are here to save you from the ugly shower head.

• Ziplock bag
• Vinegar
• Baking soda

Place the showerhead in the ziplock bag and cover it with vinegar. Let it sit overnight, then clean with baking soda the following day.

• Other Bathroom Surfaces

• ¼ cup of baking soda
• Vinegar
• showerhead tablespoon of castile soap

Mix then use. You will stir until all the lumps dissolve, and only use a spray bottle so that it lasts.

Carpet Cleaner Recipe

With the baking soda and vinegar duo sitting in your pantry, you need not be worried about carpet stains.

First, create a paste using the baking soda, and add a bit of vinegar. Work the paste onto the stained carpet, and leave it to sight overnight, or for 12-hrs. After the 12-hr period, vacuum the remnants.

You can also use baking soda separately to freshen up your carpet. Sprinkle baking soda on your rug and vacuum after 15-minutes. If you have carpets with an attitude, this carpet care ultimate guide can help you clean and maintain them effortlessly.

Cleaning With Vinegar

Your grandma used it, and now it is your time to discover the cleaning benefits of vinegar. It is perfect for eliminating water stains, and for rinse-free cleans.

Where can you use it? Well, your only limit is your imagination.

You can make a window cleaner by mixing equal parts of water and vinegar. Vinegar also comes in handy when cleaning automatic coffee makers to dissolve minerals. Fill the maker with distilled vinegar and run it through a brewing cycle. Afterward, rinse with distilled water.

The microwave will also benefit from the vinegar. Boil a ¼ cup of vinegar, and 1 cup of water until there is steam on the window. Then wipe with a clean cloth.

Nonetheless, when cleaning with vinegar, avoid granite or marble surfaces as vinegar will react with such rocks.

Boost Laundry Detergent

Mixing ½ cup baking soda with your regular amount of liquid laundry detergent will provide brighter colors. Baking soda also softens the water, so you can utilize less detergent.

Other Household Uses of Vinegar and Baking Soda

Though together they are nearly unstoppable, here are more recipes using each component separately.

Home

• Mop floors using half a cup of baking soda and a bucket of water. Baking soda is an abrasive and will eliminate those tough stains.
• Use vinegar to neutralize unpleasant odors. White vinegar is a remarkable air and fabric freshener and can be used on furniture, shoes, or carpets.
• Use a toothbrush doused in vinegar to clean crayon marks from walls and floors.
• Vinegar helps remove rusted bolts. Pour a few drops over a rusted bolt and leave it to settle. The vinegar will break down the rust, and the bolts will be easier to remove.
• Vinegar helps keep flowers fresh. Pour a mixture of water, two tablespoons of vinegar, and two tablespoons of sugar into the vase.

Food

• Utilize baking soda to wash produce instead of commercial produce wash. One pint of water mixed with 2 tablespoons of distilled vinegar will clean and remove pesticides from vegetables and fruits.
• When applied to eggs, baking soda makes omelets better and fluffier. Just apply a half-teaspoon baking soda per three eggs and enjoy a better meal.
• Prevent cloudiness and remove the bitterness from freshly brewed ice tea by applying a pinch of baking soda per gallon.
• Kill bacteria and tenderize meat by marinating the meat in balsamic vinegar. This will also give the meat a better taste. Meat should marinate for up to 1 day in a quarter-cup of herbs and vinegar before cooking.
• Eggs can break during the boiling process. One tablespoon of white vinegar for every quart of water can help keep them intact. It also makes eggs easier to peel.
• Instead of wasting the mayonnaise or salad dressing that’s left at the bottom of the jar, apply a couple of vinegar drops into the jar. Vinegar will help the leftovers come out easier.
• Wrapping your cheese in a vinegar-soaked paper towel or cloth will prevent mold. Put the wrapped cheese in something airtight and store it in the fridge.
• To get streak-free and super bright colors when dying Easter eggs, mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar, a half-cup of hot water, and food coloring.

Laundry

• If you want to get a brighter load of laundry, apply a half-cup of baking soda in your liquid detergent at the start of the wash cycle.
• Apply baking soda onto the bottom of clothes hampers to battle nasty odors.
• Socks and gym clothing can get stained and dingy. However, soaking them in a pot of boiling water and a cup of distilled white vinegar will help these things look fresher.
• Take of scuff marks and bring back shine to shoes and purses by wiping them down with white vinegar.
• Scorch marks and sweat stains can also be removed by utilizing white vinegar and a clean cloth.
• Prevent lint from sticking to clothing and decrease static cling by applying a half-cup of white vinegar to the washing unit during the wash cycle.

Personal Hygiene

•  Baking soda can be utilized as a dry shampoo to defeat dandruff. Massage baking soda onto your scalp instead of utilizing a regular shampoo.
•  Another effective method of controlling dandruff and removing buildup while adding shine is a weekly rinse of a cup of apple cider vinegar.
•  Add baking soda to your regular conditioner to fight split ends and soften hair. Also, cover your hair with a cap for up to 15 minutes before rinsing.
•  You can clean combs and hairbrushes with a little warm water and baking soda. Then, rinse thoroughly.
•  Apply a paste made of water and baking soda to soothe irritation from poison ivy, bug bites, and sunburn. You can also soothe irritated skin by dabbing with a vinegar-soaked cotton ball.
•  Defeat heartburn by applying a mix of a half-cup of water and a half-teaspoon of baking soda.
•  Apply a half-cup of baking soda to your relaxing bath and enjoy a spa treatment at home. You can also bathe in warm water that has a half-cup of vinegar to remove dead cells and soften skin.
•  Make a solution of a quarter-cup of water and a quarter-cup of baking soda for cleaning toothbrushes. Then, soak your toothbrushes in the solution overnight.
•  If you want to soften your feet and remove dead cells, soak your feet in 2 parts warm water and 1 part vinegar for 20 minutes.
•  Mix 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water. Then, apply the solution utilizing a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly and enjoy smooth skin.
•  Brushing your teeth once a week with a vinegar-dipped toothbrush can help whiten teeth and freshen breath.
•  Wiping fingernails with vinegar before applying color can help nail polish last longer.

Outdoor Use

• Clean grill gates utilizing equal parts vinegar and baking soda. Alternately, utilize baking soda on a wet brush to scrub the grates clean. Then, rinse thoroughly. To take off excess charcoal buildup, utilize crumpled aluminum foil with distilled vinegar.
• During winter, sidewalks are usually icy and dangerous to walk on. Don’t worry because there’s a simple solution to this. Take off excess snow. Then, apply baking soda over the sidewalks to de-ice the surface.
• Discourage weed growth by applying vinegar or baking soda on driveway cracks or sidewalks where they’re prone to appear.
• During winter, frost on windshields can be a super annoying and time-consuming issue. To prevent it, make a spray of 1 part water and 3 parts white distilled vinegar and coat the windshields.

Pets

• Applying baking soda around your pet’s food bowl can help keep pests at bay. Also, a layer of baking soda under your cat’s litter can help decrease unpleasant odors.
• You can utilize baking soda to create a natural, chemical-free toothpaste to brush your pet’s teeth. You can also spritz your dog with white vinegar diluted with water to add shine to its coat and keep fleas at bay.

 Where Should You NOT Clean With Vinegar

Vinegar is one of the most popular ingredients in homemade cleaning solutions. Although it’s a fantastic multi-purpose cleaner, it’s not a miracle solvent that will solve all cleaning issues.

Cleaning with vinegar is a cheap, relatively safe, and eco-friendly solution. However, some materials and surfaces can be damaged by this natural all-purpose cleaner such as the following.

• Marble and granite surfaces (slowly fades their shine with repeated use)
• Tech devices (ruins the coating on the screen)
• Anything with bleach (mixing vinegar and bleach can produce toxic chlorine vapors)
• Waxed flooring and furniture (causes the finish to wear over time)
• Some parts of the dishwasher (the acid in vinegar breaks down the rubber seal of a dishwasher and other parts over time)
• Pet messes (vinegar removes the odors you smell but helps pets target the same places repeatedly, so instead of vinegar, utilize an enzymatic cleaner for pet messes)

FAQs

Here are answers to questions you may have about this cleaning duo. I also welcome you to leave more questions in the comments below.

Conclusion

Yes, vinegar and baking soda are remarkable, but remember, the mixture is only valid until the fizzing stops. The mix after fizzing does not have much difference from ordinary water.

Also, use the two appropriately to avoid damage. The recipes above should help you with cleaning the different surfaces. That’s it, folks, if you feel there is something I missed, let me know in the comments below.