I cleaned my toilet, shower and oven with one brilliant £2 product

Maintaining a clean and tidy home can be quite the task. There are certain spots that seem to attract dirt like a magnet, making it crucial to have a good collection of cleaning products at your disposal, ready to combat any mess.

As most of us are aware, white vinegar is a true champion when it comes to household cleaning. This natural yet strong ingredient can add an impressive sparkle to glass, worktops and much more, all without breaking the bank. However, during a recent cleaning spree, I decided to swap my usual white vinegar for something a bit different – and it proved to be way better. 

Earlier this year, I’d purchased a bag of soda crystals which I’d used to brighten up a load of laundry. They did a fantastic job, but I hadn’t used them since, and they’d been languishing in the back of my cupboard.

However, I’d noticed a few cleaning experts online raving about how brilliant they were for cleaning glass and limescale, as they effectively dissolve any residual dirt if you apply it as a thick paste and leave it on any affected areas. 

There were three main areas I thought could benefit from a generous application of soda crystals – the oven, shower glass and toilet. So, after placing some soda crystals in a bowl and gradually adding small amounts of water until the consistency was just right, I rolled up my sleeves and got stuck in.

Cleaning oven with soda crystals

This was the area of my home that needed the most work. I’m ashamed to admit I’ve only cleaned my oven glass a handful of times since moving in three years ago, so safe to say there was a lot of dirt and grime on there.

So, armed with a cloth, I slathered on the soda crystals paste, ensuring it fully covered the glass in a generous layer. The beauty of this trick is that it requires minimal effort – simply leave it to sit for around an hour to really tackle the grime.

Next, I used a coarser cloth to scrub the paste in circular motions. I was taken aback by how much of the mess was instantly lifted off without much elbow grease.

I rinsed it off and repeated the process a few times until both the paste and the dirt were completely gone, then gave it a quick spritz with surface cleaner and wiped off the residue. It genuinely looked as good as new, and I’ve since recommended this hack to numerous people.

Cleaning toilet with soda crystals

Not only are soda crystals great for cleaning glass – they can also be used to tackle limescale. I had a small build-up in the toilet bowl, but since I don’t live in an area with hard water, it wasn’t anything dramatic. 

However, it certainly needed a clean. To do this, I merely sprinkled a few cups of soda crystals into and around the bowl, and left it to sit for another hour.

To really get rid of the grime, I used an old toothbrush to scrub off any remaining stubborn bits before flushing it away. The result? A spotlessly clean toilet bowl, without using any harsh chemicals whatsoever.

Cleaning shower glass with soda crystals

After seeing how amazing my oven glass looked after cleaning it with the soda crystals paste, I knew I had to give it a go on my shower glass too. Keeping this clean is genuinely the bane of my life – every day there are new fingerprints, soap or water marks all over it, and I just feel like it never really looks that clean. 

I used the same technique of applying the thick paste with a cloth, then leaving it for an hour before scrubbing it away in circular motions and wiping it clean afterwards.

As evident from the photos, all the soap and water marks disappeared, leaving a stunning sheen that’s typically quite difficult to attain. If you’ve never utilised soda crystals for cleaning, give it a go – they’re merely £2 from Asda, and a single bag is sufficient to handle numerous tasks.