How to Clean Kitchen and Bathroom Tiles with Baking Soda and Vinegar

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When store shelves are packed with high-powered cleaners, many people still reach for the old standbys. Nowhere is that instinct more useful than on tile—the eternal trouble spot in kitchens and bathrooms. Why breathe sharp odors or pay for complex formulas when baking soda and vinegar can do the job?

Start with baking soda. Stir it with water into a thick paste, spread it over the tile, and leave it for 10–15 minutes. During that time, the soda goes to work on grease and set-in grime, easing them loose with a gentle but insistent action.

Next comes the satisfying part: rinse away the residue with cool water. For a polished finish, mix vinegar with water in a separate container—about 2–3 tablespoons of vinegar per 2 liters—and wipe down the surface. This solution neutralizes any remaining alkalinity, clears away lingering odors, and brings back the tile’s shine.

If the tile has taken a beating—say, the backsplash beside the stove—simply give the soda more time. Let the paste sit for up to 30 minutes. The vinegar mix can be made a little stronger as well: up to 5 tablespoons per the same 2 liters of water. The exact proportions depend on how tough the mess is.

There’s a small upgrade, too: add a couple of drops of lemon or orange essential oil to the vinegar solution. It won’t just amp up the gleam; it leaves a light, fresh scent—clean and bright without being overpowering.

And if vinegar isn’t an option, lemon juice steps in neatly. Its natural acidity tackles dirt effectively and leaves a subtle fruity note behind.

A few simple ingredients and a bit of patience are enough to make tile look new again. Natural methods still prove the point: cleanliness can be both effective and safe.