Baking Soda or Vinegar

[Collin'sMama]

For an all-purpose natural cleaner in your house (countertops, etc) what do you use....a vinegar/water mix or a baking soda/mix- or something else?
What does your concoction (sp) consist of ???

TIA!

Jessica
Mama to Collin Alexander, 3/17/05

[mamagirl]

I have an all purpose formula I found in a book called "Clean Home, Clean Planet" that works great:

mix 2T white vinegar with 1 tsp borox. in a 16 oz spray bottle
fill the bottle with hot water and shake to dissolve the borox
add 1/4 cup detergent or 1/8 cup concentrated detergent (I had Dawn on hand but Dr. Bronners would be a milder choice)

I like to scent baking soda and use it when I need some abrasion. I just love the stuff, it has endless uses!

[Collin'sMama]

Originally Posted by mamagirl

I like to scent baking soda and use it when I need some abrasion. I just love the stuff, it has endless uses!

What do you use to scent the baking soda?

Thanks for the reply!

[Zach'smom]

I mix vinegar and water 50/50 and then add a tiny squirt of lemon dishsoap. I use it to clean everything!

[hubris]

Vinegar/water.

I've found that baking soda needs to be rinsed or you get a powdery film on stuff, so a BS/water combo wouldn't be my pick.

[MidwifeErika]

I have heard of some people using both such as baking soda in the bathtub to scrub (like a scouring powder) and then spraying vinegar on it to disolve it completely. Has anyone done this? Does it work well? I have a dirty bathtub upstairs and am considering trying this out.

[lauriem33]

Do you use vinegar/water to clean windows? What do you wipe it off with so you don't have streaks or lint?

[mama_b]

I use plain undiluted vinegar.

[LovemyBoo]

I use plain vinegar, sometimes with water sometimes not. I do use it on windows and mirrors and it doesn't streak for me. I have to wipe it really well but I don't get streaks.

I use baking soda when I need a little abrasion - usually for the sinks and tubs. I also use it to clean the toilet bowl. I dump a cup or so of vinegar in the bowl and let it sit. Then I put in a cup or so of soda and let it foam up and sit for a few more minutes, then I scrub the bowl.

I've heard lemon juice is good for windows and mirrors as well. I like vinegar because it's cheaper and I use it for all kinds of stuff.

[lauriem33]

Do you use paper towel or cloth towel or something special to wipe it with on windows and mirrors? I thought I read somewhere about needing to use some certain kind of cloth, so I've been afraid to try it so far.

[LovemyBoo]

I tried old cloth diapers but they were too linty (they were the cheap gerbers so maybe the good ones would work better) but I've had good luck with some microfiber hand towels I got at Wal-Mart. :

[EricaLeigh]

Yup I use Micro-fiber cloths on window, mirrors, & even on counters & on my old swiffer to dust or damp mop the floors
.

[mamagirl]

Club soda rocks the glass surfaces. Just don't use the newspaper as a wiper-offer (?), it makes a gooey, inky mess.
I use oil of peppermint to scent my bs, but oil of lemon or any other essential oils work. Just rip the lid off a box and add maybe ten drops to start, then more if you'd like it stronger.
Vinegar is a great solvent for bs. It is good at erasing soap scum as well.

[haitimom]

I agree with the microfiber towels for mirrors and windows. I use a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water for most stuff. I also use BS and vinegar in the toliet. I sprinkle it indry after a flush as an abrasive, let sit and then scrub with toliet brush. after that I add a little vinegar let sit and then flush again. For the tub/shower I keep a spray bottle of vineg./water and spray down the shower after each shower. Kind of like the daily shower sprays cuts down soap scum. Then I actually scrub it about once a month. It doesn't sound like it's often enough but it works, besides I HATE to scrub the tub. HTH

[earthenware]

kitchen counter spray: 25% vinegar, 75% water with a little squirt of Dr.Bronner's (almond). Kills germs but smells good. I use this mulitple times a day but after cutting meat or something I will use the stronger all-purpose spray.

all-purpose spray: 50% vinegar, 50% water, 10-20 drops tea tree oil (disinfectant). I use this for cleaning the bathroom and spray the kitchen floor as I shuffle along with a towel under my feet (faux mopping).

window/glass spray: 75% vinegar, 25% water (old t-shirt rags to wipe, no streaks, no lint)

scrub: baking soda w. essential oil (changes with my mood) in a parmesan cheese shaker (dollar store). I use this for the tubs or sinks if they need an extra scrub or for getting stains off the counter (beet juice, koolaid (for dying wool, NOT drinking!)