Home Cleaning Tips

Ever had one of those days where you spill coffee (again) all over your favorite kitchen towel? Or maybe your kiddo — bless them — gets permanent marker on your best counter? Baking Soda Is A Powerful Stain Remover That Outperforms Commercial Cleaners. I know, sounds dramatic. But I’m telling you, this old-school pantry staple works better than some of those pricey sprays lining the store aisles. Honestly, I learned the hard way after battling impossible stains—and then I found this trick buried in grandma’s recipe cards. Oh, and if you want extra proof it’ll erase even marker stains, check out my experiment here: Baking soda secret weapon for permanent marker stains. And hey—after cleaning up the kitchen, reward yourself with a quick easy treat like my crispy juicy air fryer pecan crusted chicken, too.

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Why Learning How to Make Homemade Cleaners Saves Money

I used to blow way too much on cleaning products. Like, embarrassingly so. But once I caved and started making my own, I was shocked at the savings. Here’s why it’s such a wallet-saver:

• You buy baking soda and other basics way less often than those fancy brands.
• Most DIY cleaners use stuff you already have (think vinegar, lemons, salt).
• Making it yourself means less waste from plastic bottles – bonus green points.
• Did I mention: some commercial cleaners are weirdly diluted? You’re basically buying water.

“Switched to homemade, and my monthly cleaning budget dropped by half! The stains? Gone. My wallet? Happier.” – Jamie, Tacoma

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Signs You Need to Switch to Homemade Cleaners

Okay, real talk—how do you know it’s time to ditch the store-bought stuff?

• If you sniff and instantly feel that chemical tingle in your nose, yikes.
• Laundry comes out still stained (like, c’mon).
• Sticky residue left behind. Why do commercial sprays even do that?
• Anyone in the house sneezes more after cleaning. Been there, hated that.

Ever noticed your sponge stays grouchy and gross, no matter what soap you use? That’s a classic nudge to try something fresher. (For more, check out my post on the 7 signs your sponge is full of bacteria. You’ll be side-eyeing your sponge by the end.)

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Root Causes of High Cleaning Product Costs

Let’s spill some tea about WHY commercial cleaners eat so much of your budget:

• Fancy packaging: All those shiny bottles? You’re paying for marketing, not magic.
• Added scents and dyes. (Unnecessary. Sometimes headache-inducing, honestly.)
• Short shelf life—suddenly it’s “expired” and you need more.
• You end up needing more than one product for every job. What gives?

Store aisles are designed to keep you grabbing more bottles, trust me, I used to work retail. Makes you rethink what’s actually inside that cleaner, right?

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How to Make Homemade Cleaners: 12 Powerful Recipes

This is the fun part! Let me break down my go-to homemade mixes. Promise, you don’t need a lab coat.

• All-purpose scrub: Mix baking soda with a splash of water. (Thick paste = magic)
• Stain busting spray: 1 cup water, 2 tbsp baking soda, 1 tbsp white vinegar. Shake-shake!
• Deodorizer: Just baking soda. Sprinkle. Wait. Vacuum.
• Glass cleaner: Water, splash of vinegar, dash of baking soda.
• Toilet fizz bombs: Baking soda, citric acid, a little water to clump, drop in toilet (so satisfying).
• Carpet freshener: Baking soda and a couple drops essential oil. Sprinkle, let sit, then vacuum.
• Laundry booster: Toss ¼ cup of baking soda right in with your detergent.
• Grease-cutter: Baking soda + a smidge dish soap, scrub with a sponge.
• Microwave gunk remover: Dish of water + spoon of baking soda, zap, wipe out.
• Burnt pot paste: Just trust me on this—here’s how I do it (baking soda paste for burnt pots).
• Tile grout cleaner: Thick baking soda paste, toothbrush scrub.
• Sink shine-up: Wet sink, sprinkle baking soda, scrub for five-star restaurant sparkle.

Some recipes work better for specific stains, others just keep everything from smelling like last week’s onion soup. (There’s even more randomness you can try—wild ideas in my post about 5 weird baking soda kitchen tricks if you like experimenting!)

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Implementation: Building Your Homemade Cleaner System

Here’s where you build habits—otherwise, you’ll just grab whatever’s closest (yep, guilty). Try this:

• Keep a big ol’ jar of baking soda in your cleaning caddy—label it or decorate if you’re feeling spicy.
• Store empty spray bottles or glass jars. Reuse, recycle, repeat.
• Print or scribble out your favorite recipes, tape ‘em inside a cabinet.
• Most importantly: test one thing at a time, so you don’t go full mad scientist.

It gets easier fast—before you know it, you’re the neighbor everyone asks for cleaning advice. That sounds like bragging, but it’s true. (Still weird though.)

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Common Questions

Q: Does it really work on stubborn grease or burnt stuff?
A: Yep. Been there with so many greasy pans—it really cuts through stuck-on messes. Just let it sit for a few minutes.

Q: Is it safe for pets and kids?
A: Baking soda’s about as gentle as you can get, but don’t let anyone eat your cleaning paste. Ever. (Little kids…man.)

Q: Will my house smell just like vinegar and soda?
A: Temporarily, maybe, but once it’s gone, everything actually smells clean. Add citrus or essential oils if you want fancy.

Q: Does it scratch delicate stuff?
A: It’s mild, but go easy on sensitive things like fancy glass stovetops. Test first if you’re worried, just in case.

Q: How do you get rid of weird stains, like cranberry or ink?
A: Dab with a paste and a little elbow grease—see my marker stain trick here, works on all sorts of weird.

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So, Should You Make the Switch? Absolutely!

Look, you don’t need a chemistry degree–-just basic pantry stuff (and a stubborn attitude). Baking soda is a powerful stain remover that honestly blows the commercial stuff out of the water. You’ll cut costs, cut waste, and your house won’t smell like a department store soap aisle. Don’t forget, using homemade cleaners can be healthier for your home—if you’re curious, here’s some dirt on home cleaning with 5 natural products, too. And if you want to get super serious, there’s even laundry tricks with things like Brisk Essential 6 with baking soda (haven’t tried it, but intrigued). Please, just give it a go and see for yourself. You’ll probably never go back—unless you miss spending way too much for “fresh meadow”–scented stains.