Baking soda and toothpaste: The simple trick for polishing glass at home
Water stains, fingerprints, and dust accumulated in tracks can make cleaning exhausting. Here is how to use baking soda and toothpaste to clean glass and window tracks - and what is important to do before starting.
Stubborn stains on a shower partition, fingerprints on a glass table, or dust that has turned into mud in window tracks — there are some corners in the house whose cleaning always feels like a small project in itself.
But before you pull out a dedicated cleaning agent, there is a simple home method you can try: a combination of baking soda and toothpaste, according to a report by the Spanish newspaper La Razón.
Baking soda gives the mixture a slightly abrasive texture, while toothpaste contains ingredients designed for cleaning and polishing. Together, they may help in cleaning water stains, grease, and fingerprints from glass surfaces, mirrors, and tables.
It is just important to remember: this is a home trick for spot cleaning, and not a substitute for a dedicated agent when it comes to particularly hard limescale or very stubborn dirt.
How to try the trick on glass
Mixing: Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a little simple white toothpaste, not gel. Add a few drops of water if the mixture is too thick, until you get a paste that is easy to apply.
Applying gently: Put a little of the mixture on a soft cloth or sponge, and go over the glass in gentle circular motions.
Wiping and polishing: Wait a minute or two, wipe well with a damp cloth, and finish by going over the surface with a dry microfiber cloth.
It is worth avoiding strong scrubbing, especially on delicate surfaces, and trying the mixture first on a small, inconspicuous area.
And don't forget the tracks
If you are already cleaning the window, it is worth dedicating a few minutes to the tracks as well. They tend to become a trap for dust, sand, moisture, and dirt residues, and combined with water, all these can quickly turn into a sticky and unpleasant layer.
According to a report on the El Cronista website, baking soda can help here too.
Starting with vacuuming: Before adding water, remove the dry dirt using a vacuum cleaner with a narrow nozzle or a small brush. This step is especially important because it prevents the dust from turning into mud as soon as you wet it.
Adding soda and a little water: Spread a thin layer of baking soda along the track, add a little water to create a damp paste, and wait about five to ten minutes.
Scrubbing and drying: Go over the corners and grooves with an old toothbrush, wipe well with a damp cloth, and finally dry the track.
The last step is more important than it seems: water that remains in the track can encourage the renewed accumulation of dirt and dust.
Ultimately, you don't always need a whole cabinet of cleaning supplies to deal with small and annoying corners in the house. Sometimes two things that are already in the drawer can be worth a try.
