How to Clean With a Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution

Remove soap scum on faucets with a scouring paste made of vinegar and baking soda.

Cleaning a home doesn't require costly products containing toxic chemicals. A simple solution of baking soda and vinegar is very economical and environmentally friendly. Baking soda is a natural scouring powder recognized for its ability to eliminate unpleasant odors and remove tough stains. Vinegar is a natural disinfecting acid that kills molds and viruses, dissolves grease, cuts grime and removes hard water deposits. A baking soda and vinegar solution can effectively cleanse virtually any home surface.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bowls
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Spoon
• Rubber spatula
• Nylon scouring pad
• Warm water
• Clean cotton towels
• Clean spray bottle
• Clean cotton rag

Instructions

Scouring Paste

1. Fill a plastic bowl with 1/2-cup of baking soda and 1/2-cup of white vinegar. Stir the ingredients with a spoon to form a paste that's the consistency of cake icing.

2. Spread the paste over the surface, using a rubber spatula. Keep the paste on the surface for an hour.

3. Dampen a nylon scouring pad with warm water. Scrub the paste with the damp scouring pad to remove stubborn stains. Frequently rinse the scouring pad with fresh water to prevent reapplying grime to the surface.

4. Wipe the surface dry with a clean cotton towel.

All-Purpose Household Cleaner

1. Fill a plastic bowl with 1 gallon of water, 1/2-cup of white vinegar and 1/4-cup of baking soda. Thoroughly mix the solution.

2. Pour the solution into a clean spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the dirty surface.

3. Dampen a cotton rag with warm water. Wipe the surface with the damp rag to rinse away the vinegar and baking soda solution. Frequently rinse the rag with fresh water to prevent reapplying grime to the surface.

4. Wipe the surface with a clean cotton towel until thoroughly dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove hard water deposits and soap scum with the scouring paste.

• Vinegar can damage natural stone surfaces.

References

• Eco-Cycle: Alternative Cleaners and Recipes
• The Vinegar Institute: Uses and Tips
• North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service: Removing Mineral Deposits From Household Surfaces