…bump into each other and one says to the other, “I think you’re overreacting.”
What items am I referring to? Baking Soda and Vinegar, of course. Both baking soda and vinegar are known for their versatility and utility. And we know they are not only sustainable but nontoxic because you can cook and clean with both of them.
Baking soda, chemically known as Sodium bicarbonate, is a crystalline natural salt that appears as a fine powder. It is alkaline, soluble in water, and decomposes when heated.
Often used in baking recipes as a leavening agent in combination with an acid and a liquid, baking soda helps make your cakes, cookies, and pancakes fluffy instead of flat.
That said, overuse and mass consumption of baking soda can lead to potassium or chloride blood deficiencies, hypochloremia, hypernatremia, and symptoms like gas, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain. So try not to binge on it.
Vinegar, on the other hand, is an acidic aqueous solution made of acetic acid and small compounds that may contain flavorings. It’s a fermented product made from sugars such as vodka, wine, cider, or beer and bacteria.
Vinegar, mixed with oil, makes a fine vinaigrette, and can be used in balsamic reduction sauces to glaze vegetables as well as an acid agent in baking pies and desserts, but like baking soda, too much is not a good thing. Vinegar can trigger nausea and acid reflux, erode tooth enable, and inflame your intestines if you try to get drunk from it.
But when you put them together, magic! They neutralize each other in a bubbling, fizzing, reaction that foams up with carbon dioxide gas and ultimately leaves behind salty water. This reaction helps loosen and dissolve stains and gunk. Baking soda’s alkaline properties help dirt and grease dissolve in water while vinegar’s acidic nature loosens mineral deposits like lime and rust and dissolves soap scum. Vinegar is also a powerful disinfectant because it is kills many microorganisms as well.
Here are some things you should NOT clean with baking soda:
- Aluminum cookware
- Marble surfaces
- Silver or gold
- Electronics and tech devices (I feel like this should go without saying, but someone once died heating a lava lamp on the stove.)
And here are some things you should NEVER clean with vinegar:
- Granite and marble
- Stone floor tiles
- Egg stains
- Irons
- Hardword floors
- The interiors of appliances with rubber seals
- Pet messes
- Deteriorating grout
- Electronics and Tech devices (See above)
Lastly, don’t ever mix vinegar with bleach because it releases toxic chlorine vapors. As a general rule, if you don’t how the chemistry of any two cleaning agents, it’s best not to mix them.
PopUP CleanUP offers deep cleaning, regular cleanings, disinfection services, power-washing, window-washing, and trash outs for commercial spaces, realtors, short term rentals. We also specialize in event cleaning. Call us today: (323) 538-0188.
