How to Make Your Own Scouring Powder

How to Use Baking Soda as a Scouring Powder

1. Sprinkle and Scrub

   When you need extra scouring powder while cleaning, sprinkle dry baking soda on a damp sponge and gently scrub.

2. Rinse and Dry

   Rinse the area or item with water. Dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

How to Boost the Cleaning Power of Baking Soda Powder

1. Mix with Water

   For tough stains, create a paste by mixing three parts baking soda with one part water in a small bowl. Apply the paste to the stained area and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing with a damp sponge. This is particularly effective for dark stains on stone countertops.

2. Add Some Distilled White Vinegar

   Adding a few drops or spritz of distilled white vinegar to the dirty surface will cause a gentle chemical reaction with the baking soda that helps loosen the bond between the dirt and the surface. All the surface to bubble and fizz and then scrub away. Be sure to rinse the surface well.

3. Add Borax

   Combine one tablespoon of borax with one-third cup of baking soda. Apply to dirty surfaces with a damp sponge.

   Tip

   If you mix more borax and baking soda cleaner than you need, store the extra powder in an airtight container. Be sure to add a label.

4. Add Soap Flakes

   To make a sudsy scouring powder, stir together one-half cup of soap flakes and one cup of baking soda. Keep the mixture in a labeled airtight container.

   Soap flakes (Zote or Ivory Snow) are found in the laundry aisle. If you prefer, you can grate a bar of basic soap (Zote, Ivory, or Fels-Naptha) using a box grater to create the flakes.

How to Add Fragrance to Homemade Scouring Powder

You can add scent to plain baking so or any of your homemade scouring powders. Adjust the amount of scented ingredients you add to each batch to suit your sense of smell.

1. Use Dried Herbs or Spices

   Whether you use herbs from your garden or your pantry spice shelf, they must be dried and pulverized before adding to the scouring powder. Use a spice grinder, mortar and pestle, or an old coffee grinder to create a powder. A suggested amount for fragrance is one tablespoon of herb powder to one-half cup of baking soda.

   Suggested scents:

   • Rosemary
   • Mint
   • Basil
   • Cloves
   • Cinnamon

2. Add Dried Flowers

   Just as you would dry flower petals for potpourri, you can dry them for scouring powder fragrance. Pulverize dried petals and add one tablespoon of flower powder per one-half cup baking soda.

   Suggested scents:

   • Rose
   • Peony
   • Lavender
   • Dianthus
   • Scented Geranium

3. Add Dried Citrus Peels

   Save the outer zest from citrus fruits—lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit—when you are preparing meals. Grate the rind and allow it to dry on a paper towel overnight before adding it to your baking soda mixture.

4. Add Essential Oils

   Use a few drops of your favorite essential oil alone or combined with one of the dried additions to enhance the scouring powder. Do not use too much or the baking soda will clump. Stir very well before storing in an airtight container.

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