Vinegar + baking soda scrub
Rex says
Rex Sterling, Ph.D. · Head of R&D, Clean Report · Meet Rex
"The fizz isn't the cleaning. It's two cleaners cancelling each other out."
The science
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Acid meets base. Both lose.
Acetic acid neutralizes sodium bicarbonate into sodium acetate, water and carbon dioxide. Once the fizz stops, you're scrubbing with mild salt water.
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Bubbles aren't scrubbing.
CO₂ fizz has almost no mechanical force. It looks busy, which is why it goes viral, but baked-on grease and soap scum don't notice it.
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Each one is good on its own.
Vinegar dissolves mineral scale. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that also cuts some grease. Used one after the other with a rinse in between, each does its job. Mixed in one bowl, neither does.
Do this instead
Baking soda paste on grease, then rinse. Vinegar on hard-water spots, then rinse. Separate steps, never the same bowl, and never vinegar on natural stone.
Where this came from
From the Clean Report hacks libraryJill Nystul · One Good Thing by Jillee
"Equal parts baking soda and white vinegar as a fizzing scrub. Dwell 15–30 minutes for tough stains. Avoid marble, granite, limestone."
onegoodthingbyjillee.com/homemade-cleaning-products-recipes/