Simple 2-Ingredient Homemade Cleaning Paste

ByKristen Smith, Herbalist & Aromatherapist

I love simplicity, don’t you? Simple recipes, simple routines, simple faith, simple love.

Simple cleaning products are pretty swell, too.

But simple doesn’t really cut it with cleaning products if they don’t work. However, finding a good non-toxic and effective simple cleaning recipe is a delight to any homemaker!

Simple 2 Ingredient Homemade Cleaning Paste

The other day, I needed to scrub some stubborn adhesive off of some glass jars that I wanted to repurpose for drinking glasses.

I can’t see the sense in recycling empty peanut butter jars and paying money for new drinking glasses.

I’ve used this really great cleaning paste in the past that I purchased from Norwex a while ago, but I try to use it sparingly because though effective, it is costly. I wanted to make something that would be really similar, but on the more frugal side.

So I combined two simple cleaning ingredients found in most homes, and I was thrilled with the results! This cleaning paste works!

It would have been great if I could build up to this cleaning recipe with some dramatic story of me making a landmark discovery with little known ingredients and creative genius.

But I can’t. I just mimicked the ingredients on the cleaning paste label that I already had and liked, and ended up with exactly what I wanted.

before after jars

Simple Two-Ingredient Homemade Cleaning Paste Recipe

Ingredients

  • Baking soda
  • Liquid castille soap (I use Dr. Woods, found on Amazon or Vitacost)

Instructions

  1. Take about 1 Tablespoon of baking soda and mix with about 1/2 teaspoon liquid castille soap to form a paste. Add more soap if you want a thinner consistency.
  2. Scrub onto surfaces with a damp rag, then rinse.

When I used this on the empty jars, I let them soak in some hot water with a little dish soap to get the adhesive loosened up before scrubbing with the paste. If you’re cleaning general surfaces, you probably wouldn’t need to do any soaking like that prior.

I haven’t made this up in large batches yet since it’s so easy to just mix up a bit when I need it, but you could certainly try! I don’t see why it would be a problem.

Also, I typically use peppermint castille soap, but if yours is unscented, you could add one drop of an essential oil like lemon, peppermint, lavender, or really any other scent you enjoy for cleaning.

Give this a try, and before you know it, you’ll be like my family drinking out of repurposed peanut butter jars and feeling all classy-like.

Simple 2 ingredient cleaning paste 2

Do you have a favorite simple cleaning recipe?

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, your cost is the same, but my website and family can be blessed with a commission. Thanks for your support!

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    Kristen Smith, Herbalist & Aromatherapist

    I believe natural health is a blessing from God that you can start enjoying right now, one step at a time. As a certified herbalist and aromatherapist, I can give you trusted guidance and practical help, grounded in solid research and established tradition, so you can make progress in your journey toward thriving health. Learn more here.

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    16 Comments

    2. Would this paste take gluey residue off a hard plastic storage canister, or do you think it would scratch the plastic?

      Reply

      1. Hi Janet. Baking soda isn’t really abrasive enough to scratch most surfaces, so it should be safe. I hope it works well for you!

        Reply

    3. An even easier way to get the adhesive off is to simply slather them in butter, leave overnight and clean it with soap and hot water.

      Reply

    4. I have found that plain white vinegar, baking soda, lemon, hydrogen peroxide….are really all I need to keep my house spic and span without going broke, compromising my desire to go chemical free and still maintain a pristine home. I’m sure these cleaners,work well…but they are not cost effective, nor do they disclose ALL ingredients! I’ll stick to my method….

      Reply

    5. I am about half way through my first ever bottle of Castile soap. It has lasted for months. I have Dr Woods Lavendar. I use it as body wash, but I also use it to wash out my shower and tub while I’m in the shower. I wash it often so it never gets too bad and I save time and energy, the steam from the shower has loosened everything. It only takes a minute. I might have to use some baking soda and do a scrub (while im not in the shower one day 😉 ) though, as one of our teenagers helped us paint the walls in the bathroom and now we have a few stubborn latex paint streaks on the tub surround. I’m sure the paste will help take it off!

      Reply

    7. cool! forever I am scrubbing – more knifing – sticky glue off glass containers so i can reuse them without the sticky. Some companies seem to have that in mind, but unfortunately those I do not seem to buy. Often I use a knife to scrape off the glue parts left after soaking the glass. I will try this paste next time for sure!

      Reply

      1. I hope it’s successful for you! I imagine some adhesives are just going to be stinkers no matter what you try, but this at least worked great for the jars I buy!

        Reply