How to Clean Ceramic Tiles With Vinegar, Borax and Baking Soda
Baking soda, borax and vinegar have natural, nontoxic cleaning properties and, unlike many commercial products, can be used safely around pets and children. Baking soda cleans, deodorizes, scours, polishes, softens water and removes stains. Borax can be used to deodorize, remove stains, disinfect and soften water.
It also prevents mold and bad odors. Vinegar cuts grease and freshens surfaces and fabric.
Things You Will Need
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Borax
- Measuring cup and spoons
Warning
Never mix chlorine bleach with vinegar, ammonia or toilet bowl cleaner because the fumes are toxic and may cause illness.
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Make a paste to clean stained tiles. Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 2 to 3 tbsp. of liquid soap. Or, mix three parts baking soda to one part water. Let the paste stand on stains for a few minutes, then scrub off the paste.
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Create a spray solution to generally clean tiles. Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water and pour into a spray bottle. Otherwise, mix 1/2 cup of borax, 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1 gallon of warm water and pour into a spray bottle. Add an additional 1/4 cup baking soda mix to the second recipe for optional deodorizing power. A third option is to mix 4 tbsp. of baking soda with 1 quart water. Spray any of these onto ceramic tiles and wipe dry with a clean rag.
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Use dry baking soda to scrub off food or grime. Sprinkle baking soda, or a mix of baking soda and borax, onto the dirty surface. Scrub off by using a damp sponge or cloth. Rinse with warm water and dry.
The Drip Cap
- Baking soda, borax and vinegar have natural, nontoxic cleaning properties and, unlike many commercial products, can be used safely around pets and children.
- Baking soda cleans, deodorizes, scours, polishes, softens water and removes stains.
- Make a paste to clean stained tiles.
- Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water and pour into a spray bottle.
- Use dry baking soda to scrub off food or grime.
References
Writer Bio
Allegra earned a B.A. in Sociology and African American Studies from the University of Puget Sound. Allegra has been writing for 10 years and has been published in St. Louis Park, Minnesota's The Echo Newspaper and, more recently, on web sites such as Trails.
Photo Credits
- bottles of cleaning product. bleach. disinfectant. image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
- bottles of cleaning product. bleach. disinfectant. image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
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