Baking soda and white vinegar are common staples for green cleaning, but they work in very different ways. Understanding the chemistry behind each helps you choose the right cleaner for the job and create effective DIY all-purpose solutions.
Vinegar is acidic, while baking soda — like washing soda and borax — is alkaline. A neutral pH is 7; baking soda typically measures around pH 8–9 and vinegar about pH 3.
When mixed together, vinegar and baking soda neutralize one another. That reaction produces fizzing and bubbling but cancels most of their cleaning power, so combining them usually makes a less effective cleaner rather than a stronger one.
When should you use an acid cleaner or an alkaline one?
Alkaline cleaners — such as baking soda and washing soda — are suited for cutting grease, oils, proteins, dirt, and waxes. They also act as mild abrasives: baking soda is gentle for everyday surfaces, while washing soda is more heavy duty. Alkaline cleaners work well on acidic odors (for example, urine) and acidic stains (like wine).
Acidic cleaners, including vinegar, dissolve mineral deposits and soap scum, making them ideal for sinks, tubs, shower doors, and fixtures affected by hard water. Vinegar also neutralizes alkaline odors and is effective on certain alkaline stains, such as grass marks.
Below are two reliable all-purpose DIY cleaners to keep on hand: one alkaline and one acidic. Use the alkaline cleaner for greasy, protein-based, or oily messes and the acidic cleaner for mineral buildup and soap scum.
Alkaline DIY All Purpose Cleaner
This gentle alkaline cleaner works well on a wide range of household messes.
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
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Combine baking soda, borax, Epsom salt, and liquid soap in a spray bottle. Add the hot water and swirl to dissolve and mix. Replace the nozzle, spritz the surface, and wipe with a clean cloth.
Acid DIY All Purpose Cleaner
Use this acid-based cleaner to dissolve hard water deposits and remove soap scum.
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
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Using a measuring cup and funnel, add the vinegar, detergent, and warm water to the spray bottle. Replace the cap and swirl gently to mix.
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Spritz the area to be cleaned and wipe with a cloth.
Photos by Ana Stanciu