50 Uses for Baking Soda and Vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar have been more than influential over the years. They’ve completely revolutionized the cleaning world. So many products have one or both of these as an additive, but did you know they’re super effective all by themselves? Truly, it doesn’t have to get complicated! Let’s dive right into the 50 uses for Baking Soda and Vinegar!

Baking Soda

What exactly is Baking Soda and where does it come from?

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a white crystalline powder with a slightly alkaline taste. It is a chemical compound that consists of sodium, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. This versatile substance is produced by converting the naturally occurring mineral called trona, which is primarily found in the United States, Egypt, and Turkey, into sodium carbonate. The sodium carbonate is then reacted with carbon dioxide and water to produce sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda. Most don’t realize just how know versatile baking soda can be. From cooking and cleaning to personal care and household applications, it has mild abrasive, leavening, and neutralizing properties that make it incredibly useful. Listed below are 25 of the best ways to utilize this secret weapon!

Baking: It is commonly used as a leavening agent in baking recipes.
Cleaning: Baking soda is an excellent non-abrasive cleaner for various surfaces.
Deodorizing: It can be used to neutralize odors in shoes, carpets, and refrigerators.
Fire Extinguisher: In case of small grease fires, baking soda can be used to smother the flames only if it is safe to do so.
Toothpaste: It can be used as a mild abrasive for brushing teeth.
Heartburn Relief: Baking soda can act as an antacid to relieve heartburn and indigestion (in moderation).
Exfoliant: Want to pamper your skin with a gentle exfoliating scrub? Mix it up with some water or other ingredients and let the magic do its work!
Insect Bites: A paste of baking soda and water can soothe insect bites and stings.
Cleaning Silver: Baking soda can be used to polish and clean tarnished silverware.
Fridge Freshener: Placing an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator can absorb odors.
Cleaning Floors: Baking soda can be used to clean and deodorize tile and grout.
Stain Remover: Say goodbye to stubborn stains! Baking soda packs a powerful punch on clothing, upholstery, and carpets. You’ll be amazed at how easily it can remove even the toughest stains. Give it a try and see for yourself!
Cleaning Drains: Baking soda, followed by vinegar, can help clear clogged drains. I like to rinse with boiliing water (or close to) for an added clean!
Mouthwash: A simple hack for fresh breath is to mix together a little water and baking soda and swish and spit!
Removing Grease: Baking soda can help remove grease and oil stains from surfaces.
Jewelry Cleaner: This cleaning solution is perfect for polishing and restoring all kinds of jewelry, from gold to silver and everything in between.
Pot and Pan Cleaner: Baking soda can help remove burnt-on food from cookware.
Cutting Board Cleaner: It effectively cleans and deodorizes cutting boards. These babies get a lot of action, and we want to make sure they’re the cleanest.
Laundry Booster: Baking soda can boost laundry detergent’s cleaning power and help neutralize odors! I love adding it to my hubby’s work clothes!
Foot Soak: Adding baking soda to a foot soak can help relieve foot odor and discomfort.
Clean Brushes and Combs: Soaking them in a mixture of baking soda and water can remove built-up residue.
Homemade Air Freshener: Want to get rid of unpleasant smells at home without spending a lot of money? Try using baking soda in your DIY air fresheners!
Remove Crayon Marks: It can help remove crayon marks from walls and furniture.
Fireplace Cleaner: Sprinkling baking soda in the fireplace can make ash cleanup easier.
Remove Mildew: If you’re dealing with mildew on your surfaces, baking soda can help you get rid of it! It’s a great cleaning agent that works wonders on various surfaces.
Bonus*: It can also be you to clarify and clean your hair, but beware it’s too harsh for daily use. I used it too much once (like as a shampoo) and my hair started to freak out/fall out after a few weeks! But hey maybe that was just me!

Vinegar

What about vinegar? Where does it come from?

Vinegar is a multi-purpose liquid usually produced through a two-step fermentation process. It begins with the conversion of sugars, often derived from fruits, grains, or other natural sources, into alcohol through the action of yeast. In the second step, acetic acid bacteria further ferment the alcohol into acetic acid, which gives vinegar its distinct sour taste and acidic properties. The term “vinegar” has its roots in the French words “vin” (wine) and “aigre” (sour), highlighting its historical association with wine-making. We often hear of red or white wine vinegar, but actually, vinegar can be made from a variety of sources, such as apples (apple cider vinegar), grains (malt vinegar), and rice (rice vinegar). This wide variety of origins results in the countless vinegar flavors and types available today, each with unique culinary and household uses. Now, I’ve listed the top 25 uses of vinegar – hope this list helps!

Cleaning Glass and Mirrors: Diluted vinegar is an effective cleaner for streak-free glass and mirrors.
Removing Hard Water Stains: Vinegar can dissolve and remove hard water stains from faucets, showerheads, and glass.
Disinfecting Surfaces: It’s a natural disinfectant, suitable for cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces.
Neutralizing Odors: Vinegar can help neutralize and eliminate many household odors!
Deodorizing Shoes: Spraying or soaking shoes with vinegar can remove and prevent unpleasant odors.
Removing Sticker Residue: Vinegar can dissolve adhesive residue from stickers and labels.
Cleaning Stainless Steel: It can be used to clean and shine stainless steel appliances and surfaces.
Fruit and Vegetable Wash: A vinegar solution can help remove pesticides and bacteria from produce. Additionally, it’s been said to extend the life of your fruit!
Cleaning and Deodorizing Dishwashers: Run an empty dishwasher with vinegar to clean and deodorize it. I do this one about once a week!
Cleaning and Deodorizing Microwaves: A microwave-safe bowl of vinegar can help remove odors and stains.
Cleaning Coffee Makers: Vinegar can remove mineral deposits and residue from coffee makers. Moreover, back when we used a Keurig I would “descale” my machine by running a few cycles with vinegar to break down deposits from our water!
Unclogging Drains: Pouring vinegar down a clogged drain, followed by hot water, can help clear blockages.
Cleaning Grout: Vinegar is effective at cleaning and whitening tile grout. Mix with baking soda and BOOM.
Removing Carpet Stains: It can help remove stains from carpets and upholstery.
Cleaning and Deodorizing Refrigerators: Wipe down the interior with a vinegar solution to eliminate odors.
Polishing Brass and Copper: Vinegar can be used to polish and clean brass and copper items.
Removing Rust: Soaking rusty items in vinegar can help remove rust.
Cleaning and Deodorizing Trash Cans: Rinse and wipe down trash cans with vinegar to eliminate odors and help sanitize.
Cleaning and Deodorizing Pet Accessories: Vinegar can clean and deodorize pet bowls, toys, and bedding.
Removing Mildew from Shower Curtains: A vinegar solution can remove mildew and soap scum.
Cleaning and Deodorizing Cutting Boards: Wipe down cutting boards with vinegar to disinfect and remove odors.
Cleaning Paintbrushes: Soak paintbrushes in vinegar to remove dried paint.
Cleaning and Deodorizing Lunchboxes: A vinegar-soaked cloth can clean and deodorize lunchboxes.
Removing Wine Stains: Blotting wine stains with vinegar can help remove them from fabric. I’ve also used vinegar to pull ink stain that I thought FOR SURE were never coming out. I poured a good bit of vinegar in a sink of cold water with garment and let is soak for a few hours and voilà! Good as new!
Repelling Insects: Spraying a vinegar solution around windows and doors can deter some insects.

***Friendly warning: Always be cautious with baking soda and vinegar. Vinegar on sensitive surfaces like marble or granite can be harsh, so be sure to dilute it with water as needed for various cleaning tasks. Baking soda has grit which can be too rough on delicate surfaces over time (like teeth). Just use common sense basically and don’t overdo it by letting these cleaners sit for an obscenely long time and you’ll be just fine!

Hopefully, you can see just how beneficial baking soda and vinegar can be! They are a must-have in your cleaning pantry, and, no joke I’ve replaced almost every cleaner for these two. They are powerful, yet simple solutions that can be used for almost any cleaning chore. Lastly, these are the most eco-friendly and body-friendly cleaners. You don’t have to worry about hormone-disrupting chemicals the same way you do when you pick up the average window cleaner, toilet cleaner, or so on.

Striving to become more eco-friendly? Check out my post on Becoming *almost* Plastic Free in 2023!