Why Baking Soda and Vinegar Might Not Be the Cleaning Dream Team You Think

The fizzing reaction of baking soda and vinegar has become synonymous with natural cleaning hacks. From scrubbing kitchen sinks to unclogging drains, this duo seems like a miracle solution for just about everything. But is it really as effective as it looks? According to chemists, this well-loved combination may not live up to the hype. Here’s what’s really happening when you mix baking soda and vinegar—and why using them separately might be the smarter choice.

The Science of Mixing Baking Soda and Vinegar

To understand why this mix falls short, let’s break it down with some basic chemistry.

“The reaction between vinegar, an acid, and baking soda, a base, is a simple acid-base reaction,” explains Dr. Bill Wuest, a professor of chemistry at Emory University. “When the two combine, they produce carbon dioxide gas—the bubbles you see—along with water and a mild salt.”

Chemical engineer Jamie Mitri elaborates: “Acids and bases are defined by their pH values. Substances with a pH of 0 to less than 7 are acids, while those above 7 to 14 are bases. When these two opposites meet, they neutralize each other.”

While the fizzing reaction may look powerful, it’s largely superficial. The result is essentially salty water, which lacks the cleaning power needed for most tasks.

Why the Combination Doesn’t Work for Most Cleaning Jobs

It’s easy to assume that the dramatic bubbling action means this combo is doing serious cleaning work, but our experts say otherwise.

“The neutralization reaction cancels out the cleaning properties of both ingredients,” says Dr. Wuest. “The carbon dioxide released is minimal compared to what professional cleaning agents use for similar tasks.”

Mitri agrees: “The bubbles provide some mechanical action, but they’re not enough to tackle stubborn grease or grime effectively. For disinfecting, you need a cleaning agent with antibacterial properties, and this mixture just doesn’t deliver.”

What Are Baking Soda and Vinegar Good For?

While they’re less effective together, baking soda and vinegar are both excellent cleaners when used on their own.

Baking Soda

As a mild abrasive and alkaline cleaner, baking soda is ideal for:

• Cutting through grease and cleaning oven spills.
• Absorbing odors in the fridge or trash cans.
• Scrubbing tiles, glass, and enamels.

For example, the University of Georgia Extension office suggests mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with one quart of warm water to clean refrigerator interiors.

Vinegar

Thanks to its acidic properties, vinegar excels at:

• Removing hard-water stains and lime deposits from faucets.
• Cleaning rust stains from metal surfaces.
• Mopping laminate floors with a solution of half a cup of vinegar and one gallon of warm water.

One practical tip: soak a paper towel in vinegar and lay it over a faucet with lime buildup for an easy, chemical-free clean.

The Takeaway

While the bubbling reaction of baking soda and vinegar might be fun to watch, it’s not the all-in-one cleaning hack many believe it to be. Instead, embrace the strengths of each cleaner individually for more effective, natural cleaning results.