Battle of The Natural Cleaners: Vinegar vs Baking Soda

Hands down, baking soda and white vinegar are the two best natural cleaners you likely already have sitting in your pantry.

But it can be hard knowing exactly what these products are good at cleaning around the home.

Our room-by-room guide will help you make the most of these amazing cleaners.

Why are vinegar and baking Soda great at cleaning?

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and a fine abrasive, which makes it excellent at scrubbing as well as absorbing odours.

As a mild acid, vinegar is able to dissolve mineral deposits, dirt, grease, and grime. It also has disinfecting properties so it inhibits bacterial growth and can kill a range of household pathogens.

Bathroom Cleaning

How to use vinegar to clean your bathroom

• Keeping your showerhead gunk-free - Fill a plastic bag with vinegar and wrap it around the shower head. Let it soak overnight and wake up to a clean and gunk-free shower head!

• Removing mould from shower curtains - Spray with equal parts water and vinegar solution to remove and prevent the growth of mould and mildew. It will also help remove water stains and soap scum.

• Making mirrors shine - Spray with equal parts vinegar and water, let it sit for a few minutes and wipe down with a microfiber cloth to avoid streaking.

How to use baking soda to clean your bathroom

• Tile cleaning - A simple mix of water and this awesome product (2 tablespoons per 500mls should do it) can create some magic on your tiled surfaces. Put an old toothbrush to work on your grout for a great result.

• Bathtub cleaning - Create a baking soda paste, apply to your bathtub and let it sit for 10 minutes before giving it a scrub and rinse. This will help get rid of your bath’s line of grime. You can find more in-depth instructions on cleaning your bathtub here.

Kitchen Cleaning

How to use vinegar to clean your kitchen

• Keep your benches and chopping boards bacxteria-free - Spray vinegar onto benches and chopping boards to target bacteria and odours. Note: You shouldn’t use vinegar on marble bench surfaces as it can etch the surface.

• Microwave cleaning - Fill a bowl with equal parts vinegar and water turn the microwave on high for one minute. Give the appliance a good wipe down afterwards.

• Dishwasher cleaning - Put a cup of vinegar on the middle shelf and run an empty cycle. Vinegar’s anti-bacterial properties will work wonders on your dishwasher and flush out the pipes during the rinse.

How to use baking soda to clean your kitchen 

• Remove grease from pots and pans - Sprinkle onto pans or pots with stubborn grease, pour boiling water into the pot and then let it sit for up to an hour. This mix will loosen food particles and grime. Clean with a cloth and soapy water afterwards.

• Cleaning tupperware containers - Add warm water and a couple of tablespoons of baking soda into the container and let it soak for half an hour or so.

• General cleaning - Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 500mls warm water for a fantastic kitchen cleaning solution to effortlessly clean your benchtops and the inside of your fridge.

Laundry

How to use vinegar in doing laundry

• Clothes conditioner - You can use vinegar to treat stains, as a fabric softener, or as way to brighten up colours that may have faded because of detergent residue.

• Cleaning the washing machine - Pour a cup of vinegar into an empty machine and run normally. Rinse and wipe down to finish.

How to use baking soda in doing laundry

• Stain removal - For stained clothing or towels, pre-soak with a mix of 3 litres of water and a cup of baking soda. Let the items soak overnight before running them through a washing machine cycle the following day.

• Clothes conditioner - Similar to vinegar, baking soda can brighten whites and colours, soften fabric and deodorise clothes. Add ½ cup once the water has filled during the cycle.

Stain Treatment

How to use vinegar for treating stains

• Coffee and tea stains - Blot to absorb liquid, lightly spray with a vinegar and water mixture and blot again.

• Red wine stains - Spray with a 1:2 vinegar and water mixture and dab.

• Rust stains - Spray vinegar on the stain, leave for 5-10 minutes, then blot with paper towel. Sponge with a mixture of a few drops of dishwashing detergent and water, then let dry.

How to use baking soda for treating stains

• As odour inhibitor - Baking soda will deodorise carpet with a particularly pungent stain. Keep in mind, you’ll still have to clean the stain once the smell is removed. Baking soda will just neutralise the odour without using chemicals (which can have their own overpowering stench). For big stains like vomit, remove any excess before sprinkling a generous amount on your carpet. Cover with a towel and leave for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming.