Vinegar and Baking Soda Cleaning Hacks

Two low-cost pantry staples, dozens of simple jobs. Work through each room, tick the box when it is done, and keep this sheet with your cleaning supplies.

What you need

• Distilled white vinegar (5% acidity)
• Baking soda
• Spray bottle, bowls and a funnel
• Microfibre cloths, sponge and old toothbrush
• Gloves and a measuring cup / spoon

Safety first

• Never mix vinegar with bleach or bleach cleaners
• Do not use vinegar on marble, granite or natural stone
• Do not use vinegar on hardwood or waxed wood
• Test every paste or spray on a hidden spot first
• Label every spray bottle and keep away from children and pets

A note on mixing: vinegar and baking soda neutralise each other once the fizz stops, so they work best in sequence — one does its job, then the other — rather than pre-mixed and stored in a bottle. Make sprays and pastes fresh each time.

Kitchen hacks

• Microwave: heat a bowl of water with 2 tbsp vinegar for 3 minutes, leave 5 minutes, then wipe loose grime away
• Sink and taps: sprinkle baking soda, scrub with a damp sponge, rinse and buff dry to shine
• Stovetop: make a baking soda paste, leave 15 minutes on burnt spots, then wipe with a damp cloth
• Oven (light soil): spread baking soda paste inside a cool oven overnight, spray with vinegar, then wipe out
• Kettle / coffee maker: run or soak with equal parts vinegar and water, then rinse well with plain water twice
• Cutting boards: scrub with baking soda, rinse, dry upright so no odour stays trapped
• Fridge odours: leave an open small bowl of baking soda inside; replace every 1-3 months
• Bin odours: wash the bin, dry it, then sprinkle baking soda in the bottom before a new liner

Bathroom hacks

• Grout: apply baking soda paste, spray lightly with vinegar, scrub with an old toothbrush, then rinse
• Showerhead: tie a bag of vinegar around it and leave 1 hour (overnight for heavy limescale), then rinse
• Toilet bowl: add 1 cup baking soda, leave 10 minutes, add 1 cup vinegar slowly, scrub and flush
• Mirror and glass: wipe with equal parts vinegar and water, then buff dry for a streak-free finish
• Tiles and tub: sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge, scrub soap scum, rinse and dry
• Shower curtain liner: scrub spots with baking soda paste, rinse well and hang to dry

Drains — freshen and keep them flowing

1. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain
2. Pour 1 cup vinegar slowly after it and cover the drain
3. Wait 15-30 minutes, then flush with hot water for 2-3 minutes
4. Repeat monthly for maintenance

If a drain stays blocked after two tries, stop and call a plumber. Never use this in a drain that already has a chemical cleaner in it.

Floors, laundry and whole home

Living areas

• Floors and carpets: Sprinkle baking soda on carpet, leave 15-30 minutes, then vacuum to lift odours
• Spot-test first, then dab carpet stains with vinegar solution and blot — never rub
• Mop hard, sealed floors with a well-wrung cloth; avoid vinegar on stone and wood

Laundry

• Add 1/2 cup baking soda to the wash for fresher towels and gym clothes
• Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse dispenser to soften towels — never mix it with bleach
• Pre-treat light sweat marks with baking soda paste for 30 minutes before washing

Windows, labels and pet odours

• Windows: spray equal parts vinegar and water, wipe, then buff with a dry cloth
• Sticky labels: soak the label in vinegar for 5 minutes, then peel and wipe the residue
• Pet odour spots: blot well, cover with baking soda overnight, then vacuum. Test the fabric first.

Quick reference — which one, when

Looking for more free printables? See all free printables on our Cleaning Resources page.