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

67 · Feb 27, 2022 · Stephanie Gerber · 4 Comments

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?

Acidic versus Alkaline CleanersAlkaline 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).

See also
The Best Way To Clean Mirrors (No More Streaks!)

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!

Alkaline DIY All Purpose Cleaner Recipe

Print

Alkaline DIY All Purpose Cleaner

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon Epsom salt
  • 2 teaspoons borax
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
  • 2 cups hot water

Instructions

Combine baking soda, borax, Epsom salt and soap in a spray bottle. Add the hot water and swirl to dissolve and combine the ingredients. Replace nozzle then spritz to clean and wipe with a clean cloth.

Acid DIY All Purpose Cleaner

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

Acid DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Vinegar

Print

Acid DIY All Purpose Cleaner

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup infused-vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap/detergent (not Castile soap)
  • 1 cup warm, filtered water
  • Spray bottle

Instructions

  1. Using a measuring cup and funnel, add the vinegar, detergent, and water. Replace cap and swirl to mix them together.
  2. Spritz the area to be cleaned and wipe up with a cloth.

Photos by Ana Stanciu

67

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Bathroom, Kitchen baking soda, vinegar

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  1. Nicole says

    September 19, 2019 at 12:13 pm

    HI there, I’m interested in making your all purpose cleaners. I was wondering what kind of liquid soap/detergent you use for your Acid all purpose cleaner and why can’t you use castle soap? Can you use castle soap in your Alkaline all purpose cleaner?

    Thank you,
    Nicole

    Reply
  2. Rose says

    October 13, 2019 at 6:57 am

    Every single time I make the alkaline cleaner it only works for a day (if that) then the spray nozzle will break and it stops spraying anymore… any thoughts as to why this keeps happening and suggestions on how to fix it please?

    Reply
  3. Akiko says

    March 24, 2020 at 7:09 am

    hello.. can i still make the alkaline cleaner without the borax?

    Reply
  4. Miesha says

    January 1, 2022 at 5:09 pm

    Hello! Thank you so much for this breakdown! What is the function of the salt in the alkaline recipe?

    Reply

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