Post #1910565

2026-05-01 13:56 UTC

Any chemists out there? Various &#39;lifestyle&#39; TV shows advocate using a paste of sodium bicarbonate+vinegar as a bathroom/kitchen cleaner. My wife thinks it is a good idea. I don&#39;t. My limited knowledge of chemistry (O level, 1968) says that the bicarb will neutralise the vinegar producing CO2, H2O and sodium acetate. Which I don&#39;t think has any cleaning properties. So what&#39;s the point? #household #cleaning #chemistry

Replies (4)

@suearcher@toot.wales 2026-05-01 14:01

@pthane@toot.wales I've always assumed that it's the fizzing that helps to lift dirt when bicarb is mixed applied with vinegar. I know bicarb is recommended on it's own or in with detergent as a light abrasive.

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@TalktoBeverley@mas.to 2026-05-01 16:19

@pthane@toot.wales It’s one or the other in my house, depending on the surface/problem. Citric acid is a good shout too.

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@TCMuffin@toot.wales 2026-05-02 01:44

@pthane@toot.wales Mild abrasion from the bicarbonate and the vinegar will descale in hard water areas. In soft water areas just use bicarbonate and water. B.Sc. (Hons) Chemistry, University College Cardiff 1978 + 3 years post-grad research.

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@woo@fosstodon.org 2026-05-02 08:00

@pthane@toot.wales People can see the reaction happening so they think it must be doing something. We use white vinegar, lemon juice and sodium bicarbonate but not at the same time, for the reasons you gave.

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