2 DIY All Purpose Cleaner Recipes (+ When To Use Baking Soda vs Vinegar)

Baking soda and white vinegar are staples of green cleaning. But the two ingredients are very different, and the science behind how each one works is helpful to understand. Then you can make a DIY all purpose cleaner for both ingredients and know which one will solve your cleaning dilemma.

Vinegar is acidic while baking soda – along with washing soda and borax – is alkaline. A neutral pH is 7 and baking soda ranks around 8 or 9 while vinegar is a 3.

When used together, vinegar and baking soda neutralize each other. So combining them doesn’t make a more powerful cleaner; it makes both ingredients ineffective! (Though you will get a fun bubbling action.)

When should you use an acid cleaner? Or an alkaline one?

Alkaline cleaners like baking soda and washing soda can cut through grease, dirt, proteins, oils, and wax so try them instead of commercial solvents. Both act as an abrasive; baking soda is very mild and washing soda is more heavy duty. Alkaline cleaners are effective in neutralizing acidic odors (like urine) and removing acidic stains (like wine).

Acidic cleaners cut soap scum and dissolve hard water mineral buildup, which is helpful in cleaning sinks and bathtubs. It also removes calcium, rust, and other minerals. Vinegar neutralizes alkaline odors and is effective on alkaline stains (like grass).

Here are two all-purpose household cleaners to keep on hand.

Alkaline DIY All Purpose Cleaner

This gentle cleaner is effective against most household messes!

Acid DIY All Purpose Cleaner

Use this cleaner to remove hard water buildup and soap scum.

Photos by Ana Stanciu

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