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Annie B. Bond

Baking Soda and Vinegar Together?

posted by Annie B. Bond May 9, 2008 6:00 pm
filed under: Blogs, Ask Annie, Non-Toxic Cleaning, , , ,
Baking Soda and Vinegar Together?
23 comments

Dear Annie,
I have been cleaning with vinegar for years. Now people are adding baking soda? Don’t they just neutralize each other?
—Shamana

Dear Shamana,
Yes, children are taught about acids and bases using baking soda and vinegar because they are opposites. They make a fun “volcano” with a heap of baking soda (mountain) and vinegar, which is added in a drizzle down the top, resulting in “lava.” When combined, baking soda and vinegar neutralize each other in a safe bubbly, hissing kind of way.

Baking soda is alkaline, a base, with a pH of around 8.1. Vinegar is acidic, and most commercial distilled white vinegars contain 5 percent acetic acid and has a pH of about 2.4. Neutral is 7.0.

There is one instance when I recommend combining baking soda and vinegar, and that is in the drain. Sometimes the bubbling and hissing in the drain when you combine these two is enough to dislodge hair and gummy buildup. (I recommend a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar.)

Otherwise, readers take note that when you combine baking soda with vinegar you end up with a neutral liquid that isn’t much use for cleaning.

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23 comments

23 comments

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23 comments add your comment
Emma D.
  • Emma D. says
  • Oct 4, 2009 11:53 AM

I used this to unclog my bathroom sink that for ever took it's time draining and was so impressed , no awful smell or toxic gasses!

Elise Hall

Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar to take away the sting and itch from insect bites in particularly wasps and bees. This will also work for sunburns, but if used on more than small area it should be washed off with cool water and followed up with an application of moisture cream, preferably one containing aloe.

Adam H.

I will "second" the tip about letting the solution (baking soda and vinegar together) sit in the drain overnight, and then dump down boiling water :)

It seems to make the process work so much better.

Secondly, doing this process weekly (or monthly even, depending on your drain traffic) will work wonders, look at it as "preventative maintenance".

Don't wait until your drain won't drain, and then you get frustrated, and tempted to go get a caustic drain opener (Drain-O, Mister Plumber, etc....) which likely contains Chlorine Bleach (hidden behind some "Sodium something" word...lol).

Shari M.

I use it to rinse my hair---awesome removes all build up of hair sprays/conditioners etc. Leaves it shiny!

Pam S.
  • Pam S. says
  • Mar 14, 2009 7:36 AM

I also use baking soda and vinegar in my drains a couple of times a month. It does cut the gunk out of them, cuts down on germs, and also makes the drains not smell. I definitely would not mix them for human consumption, but for cheap, and natural drain cleaner it works wonders.

janine k.

Do not, I repeat, do not drink baking soda mixed with vinegar. If you have upset tummy, only a little baking soda, like a teaspoon and a little warm water. Drink a LITTLE. NOT VINEGAR AS THIS WILL HURT YOU.

Brenda B.

I use this all the time to clean my drains. The best thing to do is to let the solution sit overnight and then rinse the drain with boiling hot water. The hot water helps to finish dissolving any remaining build up. You may also need to use a plunger. Earth friendly and a lot cheaper than commercial cleaners.

Sueanne Juskowich

I really like this idea because it's a lot cheaper than already-made cleaners. I definitely plan to try it.

CRBrad
  • CRBrad says
  • Jun 23, 2008 6:33 AM

I used vinegar and baking sode to clean the black mold from the refrigerator seals and it wiped right off. It didn't lose its cleaning power for me with I poured together.

Brenda
  • Brenda says
  • Jun 22, 2008 6:59 AM

My dog sometimes urinates on my ceramic tile and keeps going back to the same place. What cleans this best.

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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