White vinegar and baking soda ‘aren’t efficient’ if mixed together
White vinegar hack for limescale explained by cleaning expert
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White vinegar and baking soda are both hailed for their multi-purpose cleaning uses around the home, giving residents the opportunity to clean household objects without having to use harsh chemicals. However, eco-friendly cleaning influencer Kate says that, despite some recommendations, the two aren’t “efficient” when mixed together.
Kate from My Plastic Free Home on Instagram and TikTok (@my_plastic_free_home) is an eco-friendly influencer and co-founder of The Natural Living Shop (@the.natural.living.shop).
She shares her eco-friendly cleaning tips and DIYs with her audience of over 163k followers on Instagram and TikTok combined.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, she explained: “White vinegar and baking soda are two ingredients that are widely recommended for eco-friendly cleaning but did you know that they aren’t efficient if they are used together?
“As one is an acid and one is an alkaline they are much more effective when used separately.”
When combined, the two ingredients begin to react and fizz, which might trick you into thinking something magical is happening.
However, the likelihood that this can work to clean lasts mere seconds, before the enticing fix turns to a useless liquid made up of water, carbon dioxide, acetate and sodium ions.
The acid in vinegar is powerful at lifting stubborn dirt and polishing shiny surfaces.
However, once you add powdery baking soda to the mix, the once-mighty acid loses much of its strength, rendering your cleaning solution futile.
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Instead, Kate recommends using the strength of vinegar alone to tackle numerous surfaces and appliances around the home.
Kate said: “I like to make a dilution of vinegar and water to clean around the home, this makes a great cleaner for my stove top, in the bathroom and works amazingly on stainless steel to make it shiny and sparkling once more.”
She shared her “five favourite ways to clean using vinegar” with Express.co.uk.
How to use vinegar as fabric softener
Kate explained: “First of all, I like to add it to my washing machine and use it as a natural fabric softener.
“Just add half a cup to your final rinse cycle for softer clothes.”
How to clean your microwave using vinegar
The acidity of vinegar can be used to melt away stubborn build-ups in your microwave.
Kate explained: “Next, I love using it to clean the microwave.
Add half a cup to 500ml water, Microwave on full power for four minutes and keep the door closed for a further five to let the steam do its thing and just wipe clean.”
How to clean your kettle using vinegar
The acidity of the vinegar is able to combat limescale which typically forms in kettles over time.
Kate explained: “To get rid of that limescale in your kettle, just add a cup of vinegar and water to cover the limescale.
“Boil the kettle, leave for 10 minutes and boil again, pour the mixture away and your kettle will be free of limescale.”
How to clean brass fixtures using vinegar
A solution of half vinegar and half water is Kate’s solution to combat dull brass.
“I just spray it onto brass,” she told Express.co.uk.
“Make a bottle of 50 percent water and 50 percent vinegar and leave for 10 to 15 minutes which is great for removing tarnish.
“When your brass looks like new again polish with a little bit of oil, linseed oil or mineral is recommended, and your taps will be sparkling and protected from tarnishing that little bit longer.”
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