This homemade baking soda trick leaves me with a streak

The baking soda and white vinegar-based formula is my secret to spotless space – and I create the mixture in seconds

There are few things quite as frustrating as streaks on a freshly washed floor, especially if you're working in a small space (like myself) where every detail goes unnoticed.

In my compact apartment, it is evident when something looks amiss – no matter how seemingly small – and this includes a streaky floor (especially after enduring a meticulous cleaning process). However, this all changed when I discovered my favorite baking soda trick.

I had heard of the ability of this household staple – and the fact that there are many things you can clean with baking soda) – but I had never considered incorporating it into my cleaning rituals until my friend drew attention to its power. After complaining about a permanently streaky floor, she suggested cleaning a kitchen floor with a homemade paste – comprising baking soda, white vinegar, liquid dish soap, and hot water.

Whether you're looking how to clean tile floors (such as my friend) or a wooden alternative (in my case), this simple paste will leave you with spotless results. I can't imagine reverting back to my old technique – and I hope you get the same satisfaction in your home, too. Here's what my technique involves.

The quick process involves me filling my bucket to around the halfway point before sprinkling some baking soda (I always opt for this one on Amazon). I then add a generous drizzle of white vinegar and liquid soap before using my best mop. I don't measure exactly, but I ensure the paste is still watery enough to glide across my floor without appearing too thick.

After properly mopping the residue, I leave my floor to dry. Before long, it comes out spotless, and I'm yet to see a streak from this method.

Learning how to clean with vinegar, dish soap, and baking soda has changed how I care for my floors – but I never knew what made this paste effective. So, I sought cleaning tips from Jack Miller, a home expert from How I Get Rid Of, to uncover the capability of this technique.

'Baking soda is an effective and natural way to clean your floors and make them shine. It is a gentle abrasive that will not scratch your floors and is a great deodorizer,' the expert says. 'When used with vinegar, baking soda makes an excellent cleaning solution for floors. Just add a little baking soda to a bucket of warm water and mop your floors as usual. You will be amazed at the results.'

But what exactly makes it so impactful? The answer is the chemistry. 'Baking soda is alkaline, and vinegar is acidic,' Jack says. 'When mixed together, they make a chemical reaction. This reaction causes the grease and grime to be dissolved. The soapy solution can then be easily wiped off the floor.'

Plus, as Jack explains, this flooring idea contains no chemicals – meaning it is safe for you and your family. 'The solution also helps to remove built-up soap scum that can be left behind by detergents.' he adds. This solution has changed how I clean my floor, and if you try it, I have no idea you'll love it as much as I do, too.

Megan is the News and Trends Editor at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes. As the News Editor, she often focuses on emerging microtrends, sleep and wellbeing stories, and celebrity-focused pieces. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.

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