Can you use vinegar and baking soda to clean hardware?

Author: Katrine Feest  |  Last update: Sunday, May 25, 2025

Some people boil old hardware to remove dirt and grime. I've been doing that for a long time myself. But one day, I noticed that a cold vinegar and baking soda solution keeps dirt from turning gummy and gooey. Soak it for a few hours, then clean it with a soft brush or steel wool.

Can you clean hardware with vinegar and baking soda?

Step 3: SCRUB Alright y'all now it's time for all the fun. I like to take a cup of white vinegar and 1/2 a cup of baking soda and make a paste to use while scrubbing the hardware. I've tried it with the paste and without the paste and the paste seems to help get the hardware cleaner, faster and with a bit less effort.

Is baking soda and vinegar safe on metal?

While you can give many metal surfaces a scrub with baking soda, use caution if you're cleaning aluminum cookware. If you use it quickly and rinse it off, you might be fine, but allowing a baking soda mixture to sit on the surface for too long can cause it to oxidize, which means that the surface changes color.

Is it okay to mix vinegar and baking soda to clean?

Mixing vinegar and baking soda is fun (because: bubbles), but it is ineffective for cleaning. The bubbling itself may help to lift stains or unclog things, but when mixed in this way, any cleaning power the vinegar or baking soda had is neutralized by the other. 📱Stay connected! TikTok: tiktok.com/@chem.thug Instagr.

What is the best thing to clean hardware with?

  • Boil in a vinegar solution: Using an old pot (that you don't care about), put the hardware in a 50/50 mix of distilled water and vinegar. ...
  • Scrub: Using a polishing agent (my favorites are Barkeeper's Friend or Brasso) and 0000-grade steel wool gently polish the tarnish and grime off of the hardware.

How to Strip Paint Off Old Hardware | Ask This Old House

How to clean old hinges and hardware with vinegar?

Drop the hardware into the vinegar and let it sit while you clean the other pieces of hardware. It can sit in the vinegar for a few seconds or a few minutes. Just do not keep it in the vinegar for over 30 minutes because the vinegar may start stripping the original finish.

What is the best liquid to clean computer parts with?

Isopropyl Alcohol - When you need to remove stickers or clean anywhere on your PC that cannot be exposed to moisture, isopropyl alcohol is perfect.

What is the ratio of vinegar and baking soda for cleaning?

You should use a ratio of 1:2 baking soda to vinegar. In other words, if you're using ½ cup of baking soda, use 1 cup of vinegar, or if you're using a cup of baking soda, use 2 cups of vinegar.

What not to mix with baking soda?

Baking soda is commonly combined with another solution, such as vinegar or water, to create a cleaning paste. (But be careful not to combine baking soda with certain solutions such as chlorine bleach, ammonia, or alcohol because these can cause dangerous chemical reactions.)

Is distilled vinegar the same as white vinegar?

White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.

What should not be cleaned with vinegar?

But eight places you should never use vinegar include:
  1. Stone Countertops. Surfaces that often get ruined by vinegar are stone countertops, like marble and travertine. ...
  2. Dishwashers/Washing Machines. ...
  3. Clothes Iron. ...
  4. Tile Grout. ...
  5. Knives. ...
  6. Small Appliances. ...
  7. Hardwood Floors. ...
  8. Electronic Screens.

Where not to put baking soda?

Baking soda and glass don't go together. Don't use this compound near any glass surfaces, including windows, glassware, or glass stovetops, or there is a risk of damaging them.

How to clean metal with vinegar and baking soda?

A combination of vinegar and baking powder can be a potent rust remover. Create a paste using the two ingredients, then rub it onto the affected areas. Let the paste work for over 30 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

Does baking soda and vinegar react with stainless steel?

To remove tough stains, try using a diluted solution of dish soap and warm water or a mixture of baking soda, warm water, and dish soap. It is important to avoid using abrasive scouring pads, bleach, ammonia, or vinegar, as these can damage the surface and leave permanent marks or streaks.

Will vinegar remove paint from hardware?

Vinegar soak: Submerging hardware in vinegar overnight can help loosen the paint. This method is gentle and effective, though the smell of vinegar may be a bit strong.

How to clean old hinges and hardware?

Mix equal parts of vinegar and water and scrub the hinges with a brush. Rinse with clean water and then dry with a soft cloth. Polish to shine.

Why shouldn't you mix baking soda and vinegar for cleaning?

But when you combine those materials, the results aren't good—at least for very long. Baking soda reacts with vinegar, acquiring one of its hydrogen protons. The result is a carbonic acid which is unstable and decomposes into water and carbon dioxide.

What two household cleaners should not be mixed?

Dangers of Mixing Household Chemical Cleaners
  • Bleach + Vinegar = Chlorine gas. This can lead to coughing, breathing problems, burning and watery eyes. ...
  • Bleach + Ammonia = Chloramine. ...
  • Bleach + Rubbing alcohol = Chloroform. ...
  • Hydrogen peroxide + Vinegar = peracetic/ peroxyacetic acid.

When not to use baking soda for cleaning?

Claudia Meneses, CEO and founder of Avanti Green Eco Cleaning advises against using baking soda on stone surfaces like granite, marble, or quartz countertops and floors. “It can strip the stone's protective sealant, causing it to look dull,” she says.

How long to let vinegar and baking soda sit to clean?

If it's not, mix up a paste using one-half cup of baking soda and one to two tablespoons of vinegar. Spread the paste over the stained areas and let it sit for a half-hour before scrubbing it clean with a damp cloth.

Does vinegar and baking soda remove mold?

Baking soda is mild, harmless to your family and pets, and is a natural and safe household cleaner. It can also kill mold. Baking soda and vinegar are typically used together when dealing with a mold problem since they kill different species of mold.

How to use white vinegar and baking soda for cleaning?

Mix one part baking soda to two parts white vinegar in a bucket. Let it settle before spreading it across your paving slabs (ideally with an old mop). 2. Leave this solution on for 30-40 minutes before grabbing a long handled scrubbing brush or a broomstick.

How to clean your hardware?

How to clean PC hardware
  1. Wipe down your computer. Dust off the outside of your computer with a soft, dry cloth at least once a week. ...
  2. Clean your keyboard. ...
  3. Blow dust buildup out of computer vents, fans, and accessories. ...
  4. Run the Check Disk tool. ...
  5. Check the surge protector. ...
  6. Keep your PC ventilated.

What is the best liquid to clean electronics?

Isopropyl alcohol removes oils, adhesives, fingerprints, soldering flux and other contaminants, making it ideal for cleaning electronics.

Can I use rubbing alcohol to clean my computer?

DO use a 70-percent isopropyl alcohol solution (rubbing alcohol). DON'T spray a cleaning agent directly on your computer's surface. Spray your cleaner onto a cloth first and then gently wipe the cloth over the surface. DO wring out your wipe or cloth so it's not dripping wet, just slightly damp.

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