Do you know? You don't need to clean your home with expensive products in the store. Instead, you can use two pantry staples that can help to clean every part of your home effectively- baking soda and vinegar. To use these two, you can either mix them or use them separately. Not only are these natural cleaning agents easy to find and cheap, but by using these two - you also don't have to worry that they contain harmful ingredients that can be dangerous for you, your family, or even your fur baby.
Want to know how to use these two to clean your house? Check out below to explore innovative ways to use vinegar and baking soda to keep your home sparkling clean!
1. All-Purpose Cleaner
First, you can use vinegar and water to create an all-purpose cleaner. Combine it in equal parts and water and put it in a spray bottle. You can use this solution to clean countertops, home appliances, glass surfaces, and many more in your house. The vinegar's acidity will help break down grime and stains, while the water dilutes its strength, making it safe for most surfaces!
2. Drain De-Clogger
Do you experience clogs in your home often? If so, instead of purchasing a harsh drain cleaner, you can opt for a natural alternative. You can pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. These two will create a reaction that helps to break down grease, grime, and other debris. Say goodbye to a clogged drain, and welcome to a fresh one!
3. Oven Cleaner
Cleaning the oven is often a dreaded chore, and that's the truth! But with vinegar and baking soda, you can make your life much easier! Sprinkle baking soda generously over the oven surfaces, then spray with a mixture of vinegar and water. Allow the solution to fizz and work its magic, afterward, you can wipe it clean with a damp cloth. But do keep in mind, if there’s stubborn crust and stains inside the oven, you may need to do some gentle scrubbing.
4. Carpet Stain Remover
Spills and stains on carpets can be tough to remove, but vinegar and baking soda can come to the rescue. Start by blotting the stain with a clean cloth to absorb excess liquid. Then, sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and spray with a mixture of vinegar and water. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before blotting again and vacuuming up the residue. In only a short time you will find your carpet free of stain!
5. Refrigerator Freshener
Often your refrigerator smells bad due to storing lots of things inside. Well, you can turn it to smell fresh and clean with a simple vinegar and baking soda solution! Place an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors, and periodically wipe down the interior with a cloth dampened with vinegar and water. This will help eliminate any lingering smells and keep your food storage area pristine.
6. Tile Grout Cleaner
Dirty grout can make even the cleanest tiles look dingy. You do not want your house to look like that! A simple and great solution you can do is to create a paste using baking soda and water, then apply it to the grout lines with a toothbrush or sponge. Spray with vinegar and water, allowing the mixture to bubble and fizz. After a few minutes, scrub the grout lines and rinse thoroughly for sparkling results.
7. Stainless Steel Polisher
You can also use the mixture of these as a natural cleaner to restore the shine of your stainless steel appliances. You can just sprinkle baking soda onto a damp cloth and gently scrub the stainless steel surfaces to remove fingerprints and smudges. Then, wipe with a cloth dampened with vinegar to restore the shine and leave behind a streak-free finish.
8. Laundry Booster
Revive dull and dingy laundry by adding vinegar and baking soda to your washing machine. For white clothes or linen, add half a cup of baking soda to the wash cycle to help brighten fabrics and remove stains. If you have odorous linen, you can add half a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. They will help to neutralize odors and leave clothes smelling fresh.
9. Removing Limescale on Faucets
Limescale on faucets is typically caused by the buildup of minerals, primarily calcium carbonate, that are present in hard water. Hard water contains high concentrations of dissolved minerals, which can leave behind residue when water evaporates. Over time, this mineral residue accumulates on surfaces like faucets, forming a hard, chalky deposit known as limescale.
While limescale itself is not harmful to health, it can detract from the appearance of faucets and fixtures and may eventually lead to reduced water flow if left untreated. Regular cleaning and descaling can help prevent and remove limescale buildup, keeping faucets looking clean and functioning properly.
To get rid of limescale, you can sprinkle baking soda directly onto the affected areas of the faucet. Afterward, moisten a cloth or sponge with vinegar and rub the baking soda-covered areas. You should allow them to sit on for a few minutes, this will help the process of breaking down the limescale. Next, you can scrub the area with a cloth or sponge, focusing on stubborn spots.
10. Cleaning the Toilet
It is only natural for your toilet bowl to turn yellowish over time. This appearance can make your toilet look dirty even though you clean it often. To get rid of the yellowish color on your toilet, you can pour about a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl. Add vinegar slowly, allowing it to react with the baking soda and fizz. Next, you can use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl, ensuring the mixture reaches under the rim and along the sides. To wrap it out, you can flush the toilet to rinse away the cleaning mixture.
11. Remove Coffee and Tea Stains
Are you an acid coffee or tea drinker? If so, having your home decorated with their stain can be a natural occurrence in your home. But now, you can worry not, as you can simply create a baking soda paste to clean stained areas in your home. You can simply create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water!
12. Clean and Deodorize Garbage Can
Dirty and smelly garbage can turn your home into a disaster! Thus ensuring that you clean it properly is a must-do. To tackle this issue you can sprinkle baking soda inside the garbage can. Add a small amount of vinegar to the baking soda to create a foaming action. Afterward, use a brush or sponge to scrub the inside of the garbage can. This cleaning move can help to clean any lingering dirt and neutralize odors. Afterward, you just need to rinse the garbage can thoroughly with water and allow it to air dry.
13. Remove Pet Odors
Your fur baby can bring love to your home, but at the same time, it can also produce odors. To ensure your home area is clean and free from any pet odors, you can sprinkle baking soda over the affected area where pet odors are present, such as carpets, upholstery, or pet bedding. Next, you can lightly mist the baking soda with vinegar to activate its odor-neutralizing properties. Last but not least, you can vacuum the treated area to remove the baking soda residue and any trapped odors.
Important Tips When Mixing Baking Soda & Vinegar to Clean!
- Always use fresh batches for cleaning
- Always test on a small area first
- Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes before cleaning
- Ensure adequate ventilation in the area to dissipate the strong odor
What To Not Clean with Baking Soda and Vinegar?
While vinegar and baking soda are versatile and effective cleaning agents for many surfaces, there are also some items and materials you should avoid cleaning with them
- Natural Stone Countertops: Baking soda and vinegar is a big no to use on natural stone countertops such as marble, granite, or limestone. The acidity of vinegar can etch and damage the stone surface if you use it constantly.
- Egg Stains: While vinegar can help remove some stains, it's not suitable for cleaning egg stains. The acidity of vinegar can make the stain more difficult to remove.
- Aluminum Cookware: Avoid using baking soda on aluminum cookware or surfaces to prevent damage. Baking soda can cause aluminum to discolor and pit over time.
- Waxed Furniture: Baking soda can be abrasive and may scratch or dull the finish on waxed furniture. To clean waxed furniture, you should dust it regularly and use a wax-safe cleaner for maintenance.
- Pearls or Gemstones: For delicate jewelers such as these two, vinegar and baking soda can be too harsh. Thus you should steer clear from using these two to clean your jewelry.
Being mindful of what not to clean with vinegar and baking soda can help avoid potential damage and ensure the longevity of your furniture.
Conclusion
Now you know that vinegar and baking soda are not just for cooking, they are powerful cleaning solutions to tackle dirt, grime, and even odors in your home! By following our cleaning hacks you will be able to harness the natural cleaning solution to keep your home clean and chemical-free!
