DIY Homemade Soft Scrub Cleaner
Use this gentle scouring paste to effectively remove stubborn messes and grime without damaging surfaces.
Have you ever worn out your elbow trying to scrub that grimy ring around the bathtub? That’s what led me to create a Homemade Soft Scrub, because I love my bathtub but not the grime. It was also important to me to come up with a formula that was versatile enough to use on other surfaces, too.
This is one of my favorite homemade cleaners to use because it’s so versatile. I use it on sinks, tubs, showers, toilet seats, the stovetop and oven, in the microwave, and even when I’m cleaning scuffs on tennis shoes.
Homemade Soft Scrub
A natural yet effective homemade cleaning scrub that removes grime and brightens hard surfaces.
Supplies
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 2 tbsp. dishwashing liquid
- 2 tbsp. hydrogen peroxide
- 6-8 drops of essential oil optional
Steps
Combine
- Combine the baking soda and dish soap in a small bowl, then stir in the hydrogen peroxide. Adjust as needed to make a stiff paste.
- Add the essential oils.
Use
- Scoop a small amount of homemade soft scrub onto a damp microfiber cloth and rub the surface gently.
- For stubborn grime, leave the homemade soft scrub in place for a few minutes so the dish soap and peroxide can loosen the mess. Don't let it dry.
- Rinse well with water and buff dry.
Storage
- Store any unused mixture in an air-tight container. It does not go bad. If it seems dry after storage, stir in a bit more hydrogen peroxide.
This is awesome and another tip I’m very keen to try-perhaps on my kitchen sink this weekend 🙂 No nasty chemicals either. Love all of your tips Katie!
Thank you, Raquel! I’m fanatic about cleaning my kitchen sink. It’s old, and if I don’t stay on top of it the thing stinks up my kitchen. This recipe saves me a fortune as a result!
These are great recipes and so much less expensive than Soft Scrub.
Yes, it’s much less expensive and not toxic!
I am going to have to try this homemade soft scrub cleanser. I recently bought a new Maytag smooth top range and you can really get some tough, cook-on gunk on the top. You can buy stove-top cleaner at the store but it is fairly expensive. I am going to try this instead of the name brand stuff.
Thanks
Jeff,
I used it on my smooth top range today, and it left a brilliant shine behind! I love how it cleaned it, BUT, I read on a car care website recently, that vinegar can pit windshield glass if used as a de-icer. I wonder if it can do the same thing to stove tops. Might be worth looking into more.
The soft scub cleaner is brilliant 🙂
I used an organic dishwashing soap with orange essentials oils in it and my kitchen smells amazing!
I bet it smells divine!
This is the BEST cleaner, EVER! I used it today to clean out my sink, and it leaves a beautiful shine afterwards, too. I cannot say THANK YOU enough – your website is permanently bookmarked for me. I use your any-type floor cleaner for all kinds of things, not just floors – I scent mine with peppermint, and it works fantastically – you ROCK!
I’m so glad you like the cleaners, Stephanie! Peppermint is one of my favorite scents to use because it makes the house smell so happy. Enjoy!
When it says liquid dish detergent, do you mean like dish soap or dishwasher liquid soap?
Hi Lori,
This recipe uses liquid dish soap. I use Dawn Original. Sorry for any confusion.
Hi Katie….I have some Arm and Hammer natural washing soda on hand. Can this be used in place of the baking soda? I’m looking forward to making my own cleaning products. Thank you for a very informative website.
Hi Marilyn! That would work just fine since washing soda is ultimately baking soda with the water and carbon dioxide cooked off.
I wish I could pin this, but the extension doesn’t work since upgraded to Windows 11.
Hi Deb,
I’m sorry you’re having problems with extensions. It’s always helped me to disable them, relaunch the browser, and re-enable them. In the meantime, here’s where I pinned it if you want to take it from there. 🙂
Definitely going to try this. Thank you, Katie.
You’re welcome!
You always have the best recipes and ideas for efficient and healthier ways to keep my home clean and smelling great! Thank you for your time and wonderful work, I truly appreciate all thst you do~💐
Thank you so much for the kind words, Sabrina! I’m so happy you like them. ❤️