The 10 Best Baking Soda-Vinegar Cleaning Solutions
Millions of people all over the world are using eco-friendly cleaning products like baking soda and vinegar out of concern for health and the environment. This particular combination is popular because, unlike conventional cleaners, the chemical substances aren’t harsh.
Indeed, the industry has led us to believe that chemicals are the best choice for domestic tasks. However, there are several alternatives with more natural ingredients that deliver similar results without exposing you to harmful chemicals.
The best part is they’re inexpensive, easy to use, have many applications around the house, and are quite effective.
The best cleaning solutions with baking soda and vinegar
Both baking soda and vinegar can disinfect, remove stains, and eliminate grease. Explore and try these incredible cleaning solutions.
1. A solution for carpet stains
Due to its absorbent and whitening properties, baking soda is a useful ingredient for removing carpet stains. Its compounds, mixed with white vinegar, easily penetrate the fibres, removing the residues that cause the stain.
According to a study conducted by Universidade de Taubaté in Brazil, white vinegar is antimicrobial and thus, perfect to restore the original state of your carpets.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. of baking soda (20 g.)
- ½ cup of white vinegar (125 ml.)
Preparation
- As soon as you notice a stain on your carpet, sprinkle baking soda over it and scrub it with a brush
- Next, sprinkle a little white vinegar over it and leave it to act for five minutes
- Remove the residue with a vacuum cleaner and leave it to dry
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2. A solution for bleaching clothes
Do your white clothes look yellow? Do the collars and armpits have sweat stains? The combination of these two ingredients is a great solution for restoring them to their original white.
As stated in a study by the American Dental Association, baking soda has more than recommended whitening properties that, together with the antimicrobial capacity of vinegar, are quite useful.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp. of baking soda (30 g.)
- ½ c. of white vinegar (125 ml.)
Preparation
- Rub your white garments with baking soda and then dip them in a bowl of white vinegar
- Let them soak for 30 minutes and the rinse as usual
3. A solution to disinfect the bathroom
The antibacterial properties of baking soda and vinegar can help you disinfect the surfaces of your entire bathroom. Both ingredients also have interesting antifungal properties, according to a study conducted by the University Hospital of Strasbourg in France.
This solution removes the remains of soap, mold, and other debris that accumulates in the toilet, bathtub, and sinks.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. of baking soda (20 g.)
- ¼ c. of white vinegar (62 ml.)
- 2 c. of water (500 ml.)
Preparation
- Pour the cups of water into a bucket and then add the baking soda and white vinegar
- Wait for the solution to stop foaming and then use it to clean your bathroom
- Scrub with the help of a brush or sponge, allow it to do its thing for 10 minutes and then, rinse
- You can also apply them directly on porcelain, rub with a toothbrush between the joints once the effervescence wears off
4. A solution to clean the kitchen sink
Although at first sight you may not notice, the kitchen sink is home to pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms from food waste. Thus, to avoid future infections or food contamination, disinfect it regularly with antibacterial products.
The most effective inexpensive solution you can use is the mixture of vinegar and baking soda. These ingredients eliminate microbes and help keep the steel clean and shiny.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp. of baking soda (30 g.)
- ¼ c. of white vinegar (62 ml.)
Preparation
- Sprinkle the baking soda over the sink and allow it to do its thing for five minutes
- Scrub the sink with a brush and then sprinkle white vinegar
- Wait for another 10 minutes and then, rinse
5. A solution to deodorize your refrigerator
The refrigerator is one of the places in the home that often acquires bad odors. However, if you clean it frequently, you won’t have to deal with this problem.
White vinegar is an alternative product to help disinfect it naturally and safely. Its acidic compounds eliminate remains of fat and food that usually accumulate in the door and other compartments.
Ingredients
- ¼ c. of white vinegar (62 ml.)
- ¼ c. of water (62 ml.)
- 5 tbsp. of baking soda, optional (50 g.)
Preparation
- Dilute the white vinegar in equal parts water
- Pour it into a spray bottle and spray it over all areas of the refrigerator
- Leave it for five minutes and remove the excess with an absorbent cloth or kitchen towel
- Then, place a plate of baking soda inside to absorb bad smells and keep the fridge fresh longer, if you wish
6. Shiny cutlery
As you may have noticed, silverware, even stainless steel, becomes dull over time. But, you bring back the old shine with a little baking soda.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. of baking soda (10 g.)
- 1 qt. of water
Procedure
- Fill a container with warm water
- Add the baking soda and stir so it dissolves well
- Introduce the cutlery to clean
- Let it soak for ten minutes
- Wash it with soap and rinse
- Dry well
Learn what are The 7 Dirtiest Places in the House and How to Disinfect Them
7. Oven cleaning with baking soda and vinegar
The oven can be difficult to clean when old grease has accumulated and is hard to remove. But, with baking soda and vinegar it can be an easier task.
How the process works
- Remove the oven parts (racks and trays)
- Soak them in a bucket in a solution of water and a cup of vinegar
- Place in a sprayer water with baking soda (a tablespoon per quart)
- Spray this mixture inside the oven
- Wait a few minutes and, once the dirt softens, scrub with a soft bristle toothbrush
- Remove the rest with a cloth
- Wash, dry well, and reassemble your oven
8. Coffee cups
When you use coffee cups a lot, you’ll notice that, no matter how much you wash them, they become stained. But, there’s a solution for it.
Procedure
- Firstly, fill the cup with water up to the rim
- Add baking soda (a knife tip per cup)
- Then, wait half an hour and scrub as usual
- If this doesn’t work, try vinegar
- If not, try both at the same time
9. Clean toys with baking soda and vinegar
Children often put toys into their mouths regardless of these having been on the floor. Luckily you can disinfect them with baking soda. The procedure is very simple.
How to do it
- Firstly, add baking soda (a tablespoon per quart) to a container that’s large enough to soak the toys
- Then, place them inside and let them soak overnight
- Then, wash, scrubbing with a soft brush, if necessary
Note: you can only do this with plastic, rubber, and cloth toys, it isn’t appropriate for wooden and metal ones.
10. Moisture on the walls
You can use baking soda or vinegar, indistinctly, to control the humidity of the walls, reduce stains, and get rid of musty smells.
How to do
- Firstly, mix baking soda with water (a tablespoon per quart) or dilute two cups of vinegar with two cups of water
- Put the mixture in a spray bottle
- Before applying, scrape the wall a little with a spatula or a wire brush
- Now spray the mixture, spreading it with a clothes brush
- Let it dry before repainting
Benefits of cleaning with baking soda and vinegar
In short, the most important thing to stress about the benefits of using these types of products is they’re environmentally friendly.
In addition, their use doesn’t compromise your health as they don’t contain harsh chemicals that affect the respiratory system like chlorine and other products.
Finally, as you can imagine, they’re a good alternative to people with asthma and allergies. Also for those who are simply looking for options with no offensive odors. Furthermore, both ingredients are easily accessible as they’re usually present in most pantries.
Would you like to try cleaning with baking soda and vinegar? If you’re still using aggressive chemical products and haven’t given yourself the opportunity to try natural options, try these solutions and see how you can keep everything spotless. Moreover, it won’t badly impact the environment and will safeguard your health.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Letscher-Bru, V., Obszynski, C. M., Samsoen, M., Sabou, M., Waller, J., & Candolfi, E. (2013). Antifungal activity of sodium bicarbonate against fungal agents causing superficial infections. Mycopathologia, 175(1-2), 153–158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-012-9583-2
- Li Y. Stain removal and whitening by baking soda dentifrice: A review of literature. J Am Dent Assoc. 2017 Nov;148(11S):S20-S26. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2017.09.006. PMID: 29056186.
- Pinto, T. M. S. (2006). Vinagre como agente antimicrobiano no controle de Candida spp. em portadores de prótese total. https://www.scielo.br/j/jaos/a/7qDkZ7LpJj46ZRh9jW3CFDk/?lang=en#
- Solà, R. C., Gall, X. M., Huertas, B. A., Martínez, M. E. D., & Martínez, R. O. (2005). Síndrome de disfunción reactiva de las vías respiratorias. Estudio de 18 casos. Medicina Clínica, 124(11), 419-422. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025775305717504
