The Three Cleaners Cheat Sheet
Clean grime with its opposite. Alkali for grease, acid for limescale.
Baking soda (mildly alkaline)
- Removes — grease, burnt residue, odors
- How — as a powder, as a paste, or dissolved in water
- Use on — pots, cooktops, drains, deodorizing shoe cabinets and fridges
- Avoid — aluminum (turns dark)
Citric acid (acidic)
- Removes — limescale, hard water spots, urine scale
- How — 1 tsp dissolved in 200 ml water, sprayed
- Use on — faucets, mirrors, kettles, shower heads, toilets
- Avoid — marble, cement grout, iron / never with bleach
Oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate)
- Removes — mold, built-up grime, yellow stains
- How — dissolve in water at 40–60°C (104–140°F) and soak; wear gloves
- Use on — washer drums, cloths and towels, cutting boards, whites
- Avoid — wool and silk, aluminum, metal jewelry / do not store dissolved in a sealed container