Cleaning With Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda: What Works and What Does Not

Vinegar and bicarbonate of soda are cheap and useful, but they are not a cure-all. Knowing what each does stops you damaging surfaces.

By the Ample Cleaners team · 5 October 2026 · 4 min read

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Vinegar is good for

  • Limescale on taps, kettles and shower heads
  • Streak-free glass and mirrors, when diluted
  • Freshening a microwave, using steam

Bicarbonate of soda is good for

  • Absorbing odours in fridges, carpets and mattresses
  • Gentle scrubbing of sinks and baths, as a paste
  • Lifting grease, mixed with a little water

Do not use vinegar on

  • Natural stone such as marble, granite or limestone, because the acid etches it
  • Unsealed wood, rubber seals in some appliances, or electronics
  • Anything the manufacturer says not to

Not a disinfectant

Vinegar is not a substitute for a disinfectant where you need to kill germs, such as after raw meat or illness.

Common questions

Is vinegar a disinfectant?

It is not a reliable disinfectant. Use a product labelled as disinfecting when you need that.

Would you rather we did it for you?

Ample Cleaners offers house cleaning across Barking, Dagenham, Romford, Ilford and surrounding areas, with DBS-checked cleaners and a fixed price.

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