9 common pantry staples that can be used as cleaning products
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We’ve all seen the news - prices are going up across the board, and cleaning products are no exception. But did you know that there are a number of common pantry staples that can be used in the place of dedicated cleaning products that are not only cheaper, but are often more effective too? Here are 9 ideas to get you started.
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1. Baking soda
Baking soda is a compound made up of sodium, bicarbonate, and water. While it's traditionally used as a leavening agent in baking, it doubles as a great all-purpose cleaning agent. It can be used to clean kitchens and bathrooms, as well as to remove stains.
Make a paste with baking soda and water, and use it to scrub away dirt and grime. For tougher stains, you can make a stronger paste with baking soda and vinegar. It typically works best for kitchens, bathrooms, and removing stains, but be careful - baking soda can be abrasive, so make sure you don't scrub too hard.
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is an acidic liquid made from fermented ethanol. It's a common kitchen staple used in a wide variety of dishes, but it’s also incredibly versatile when it comes to cleaning. It's effective at removing stains and dirt, and can also be used as a natural disinfectant.
To clean with vinegar, make a solution of one part vinegar to one part water. Use this to wipe down surfaces, or to scrub away dirt and grime. For tougher stains, you can make a stronger solution of one part vinegar to two parts water. Be careful when using vinegar on stone surfaces or grout, as it can damage them. Here are a few other things you should never clean with vinegar:
3. Lemon juice
Because it’s naturally very acidic (thanks, citric acid!) lemon juice can also be used for cleaning. It’s effective at removing stains and dirt, and can also be used as a natural disinfectant.
To clean with lemon juice, make a solution of one part lemon juice to one part water. Use this to wipe down surfaces, or to scrub away dirt and grime. For tougher stains, you can make a stronger solution of one part lemon juice to two parts water.
Lemon juice and water is a great combo for cleaning your microwave. Simply squeeze some lemon into a microwave safe bowl, fill it up halfway with water, and then stick it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes on high. After letting things cool, remove the bowl and wipe down the inside of the microwave with a damp towel.
4.Salt
Salt is a mineral made up of sodium and chloride. As we all know, it’s just about the most common kitchen staple out there, but it too can be used for cleaning. Salt is effective at removing stains and dirt, and can also be used as a natural disinfectant.
Salt is naturally abrasive, so it can be good for cleaning things iron and steel pans with caked on grime:
5. Cornstarch –
You’ve probably got a box of this lying around in the back of your pantry somewhere. Commonly used as a thickening agent in stews and soups, cornstarch is effective at absorbing oil and grease.
Believe it or not, you can also use cornstarch as a means for cleaning (and then re-using) frying oil. Check out the video below to see it in action:
6. Olive oil
Speaking of oil, olive oil is great for cleaning, polishing, and treating wooden furniture (or other objects) and even wiping down your car’s dashboard.
7. Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a liquid made from isopropyl alcohol. It’s something we’ve all gotten a little too familiar with over the last couple of years (thanks for that, covid), and if you’re anything like us, you still have a surplus of it sitting in the pantry or bathroom cabinet.
As well as obviously having disinfectant properties, rubbing alcohol is great for cleaning blinds, chrome surfaces, and believe it or not, eye glasses.
8. Toothpaste
Toothpaste’s ingredients vary, but it’s usually made from a variety of things, including abrasives, fluoride, and detergents. Wait, toothpaste has detergent in it? Yep, the most common is known as sodium lauryl sulfate. According to Colgate, detergents are what make your toothpaste nice and foamy when you brush.
Toothpaste is actually surprisingly versatile when it comes to cleaning. From shining up bathroom fixtures to cleaning glass shower doors and rejuvenating sneakers, there’s not much toothpaste can’t do as a cleaning product. As a bonus, everything is left smelling minty fresh!
9. Mayonnaise
No, you’re not seeing things! Mayonnaise, as well as being pretty darn delicious in our opinion, is surprisingly good for removing scratches on countertops. Take a look at the video below and see for yourself - it’s simply a-mayo-zing (sorry).
Well, there you have it folks - 9 common pantry staples that double as cleaning products. Most of these are definitely cheaper options than dedicated cleaning products, and while a couple (like toothpaste or mayo) might not save you lots of money, they’re good tricks to have up your sleeve if you’re in a pinch and can’t be bothered going to the supermarket.
What do you think? Any other common household items that can double as cleaning products that we should add to the list?
Credit: Getty Images
1. Baking soda
Baking soda is a compound made up of sodium, bicarbonate, and water. While it's traditionally used as a leavening agent in baking, it doubles as a great all-purpose cleaning agent. It can be used to clean kitchens and bathrooms, as well as to remove stains.
Make a paste with baking soda and water, and use it to scrub away dirt and grime. For tougher stains, you can make a stronger paste with baking soda and vinegar. It typically works best for kitchens, bathrooms, and removing stains, but be careful - baking soda can be abrasive, so make sure you don't scrub too hard.
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is an acidic liquid made from fermented ethanol. It's a common kitchen staple used in a wide variety of dishes, but it’s also incredibly versatile when it comes to cleaning. It's effective at removing stains and dirt, and can also be used as a natural disinfectant.
To clean with vinegar, make a solution of one part vinegar to one part water. Use this to wipe down surfaces, or to scrub away dirt and grime. For tougher stains, you can make a stronger solution of one part vinegar to two parts water. Be careful when using vinegar on stone surfaces or grout, as it can damage them. Here are a few other things you should never clean with vinegar:
3. Lemon juice
Because it’s naturally very acidic (thanks, citric acid!) lemon juice can also be used for cleaning. It’s effective at removing stains and dirt, and can also be used as a natural disinfectant.
To clean with lemon juice, make a solution of one part lemon juice to one part water. Use this to wipe down surfaces, or to scrub away dirt and grime. For tougher stains, you can make a stronger solution of one part lemon juice to two parts water.
Lemon juice and water is a great combo for cleaning your microwave. Simply squeeze some lemon into a microwave safe bowl, fill it up halfway with water, and then stick it in the microwave for 2-3 minutes on high. After letting things cool, remove the bowl and wipe down the inside of the microwave with a damp towel.
4.Salt
Salt is a mineral made up of sodium and chloride. As we all know, it’s just about the most common kitchen staple out there, but it too can be used for cleaning. Salt is effective at removing stains and dirt, and can also be used as a natural disinfectant.
Salt is naturally abrasive, so it can be good for cleaning things iron and steel pans with caked on grime:
5. Cornstarch –
You’ve probably got a box of this lying around in the back of your pantry somewhere. Commonly used as a thickening agent in stews and soups, cornstarch is effective at absorbing oil and grease.
Believe it or not, you can also use cornstarch as a means for cleaning (and then re-using) frying oil. Check out the video below to see it in action:
6. Olive oil
Speaking of oil, olive oil is great for cleaning, polishing, and treating wooden furniture (or other objects) and even wiping down your car’s dashboard.
7. Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a liquid made from isopropyl alcohol. It’s something we’ve all gotten a little too familiar with over the last couple of years (thanks for that, covid), and if you’re anything like us, you still have a surplus of it sitting in the pantry or bathroom cabinet.
As well as obviously having disinfectant properties, rubbing alcohol is great for cleaning blinds, chrome surfaces, and believe it or not, eye glasses.
8. Toothpaste
Toothpaste’s ingredients vary, but it’s usually made from a variety of things, including abrasives, fluoride, and detergents. Wait, toothpaste has detergent in it? Yep, the most common is known as sodium lauryl sulfate. According to Colgate, detergents are what make your toothpaste nice and foamy when you brush.
Toothpaste is actually surprisingly versatile when it comes to cleaning. From shining up bathroom fixtures to cleaning glass shower doors and rejuvenating sneakers, there’s not much toothpaste can’t do as a cleaning product. As a bonus, everything is left smelling minty fresh!
9. Mayonnaise
No, you’re not seeing things! Mayonnaise, as well as being pretty darn delicious in our opinion, is surprisingly good for removing scratches on countertops. Take a look at the video below and see for yourself - it’s simply a-mayo-zing (sorry).
Well, there you have it folks - 9 common pantry staples that double as cleaning products. Most of these are definitely cheaper options than dedicated cleaning products, and while a couple (like toothpaste or mayo) might not save you lots of money, they’re good tricks to have up your sleeve if you’re in a pinch and can’t be bothered going to the supermarket.
What do you think? Any other common household items that can double as cleaning products that we should add to the list?
