How to Make a Mixture to Clean Plastic

We live in the age of plastics, plastics are everywhere and sometimes they need to be cleaned. However, commercial chemical cleaners are not for everyone. Read below to learn how to make homemade cleaning mixtures and solution to clean the plastics in your life.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Clean with Vinegar/Detergent/Baking Soda Mixture

  1. Image titled Make a Mixture to Clean Plastic Step 1
    1
    Make a vinegar/detergent/baking mixture. To make the solution add 1 2/3 cups baking soda, 1/2 cup liquid soap, and 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) white vinegar to a 1/2 cup of water. Mix well. This mixture is great at cleaning soap scum and grease.
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    2
    Wipe or spray mixture onto plastic. Put vinegar/detergent/baking mixture in spray bottle and spray, or use a clean rag or sponge to apply, vinegar/detergent/baking mixture onto the plastic surface.
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    3
    Scrub. Rub down the plastic with the vinegar/detergent/baking mixture to remove any grime.
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    4
    Rinse. Use water to rinse off the plastic. Depending on the item you can do this with a hose or faucet, or with more delicate items you may need to wipe it down with a wet cloth.
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    5
    Dry. Dry your now clean plastic with a clean dry towel.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Clean with Baking Soda Mixture

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    1
    Make a baking soda mixture. Add 1 part baking soda to 1 part water. Mix well. This mixture is great when you are in a hurry and low on supplies. This mixture works well for scrubbing off tough grime.[1]
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    2
    Wipe baking soda mixture onto plastic. Apply baking soda paste to plastic surface using a clean cloth or sponge[2]
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    3
    Scrub. Rub down the plastic with the baking soda mixture to remove any grime.
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    4
    Rinse. Use water to rinse off the plastic. Depending on the item you can do this with a hose or faucet, or with more delicate items you may need to wipe it down with a wet cloth.
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    5
    Dry. Dry your now clean plastic with a clean dry towel.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Clean with Vinegar Solution

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    1
    Make a vinegar solution. Add 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. Mix well. This solution is great when you are in a hurry and low on supplies. This simple vinegar solution works great for mildew.[3]
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    2
    Wipe or spray solution onto plastic. Put vinegar solution in spray bottle and spray, or use a clean rag or sponge to apply, vinegar onto the plastic surface.[4]
  3. Image titled Make a Mixture to Clean Plastic Step 13
    3
    Scrub. Rub down the plastic with the vinegar solution to remove any grime.
  4. Image titled Make a Mixture to Clean Plastic Step 14
    4
    Rinse. Use water to rinse off the plastic. Depending on the item you can do this with a hose or faucet, or with more delicate items you may need to wipe it down with a wet cloth.
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    5
    Dry. Dry your now clean plastic with a clean dry towel.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Clean with Bleach Solution

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    1
    Make a 5% bleach solution. To make a ~5% bleach solution add 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of bleach to a cup of water. Mix well. This solution is great for sterilizing plastic surfaces.
    • Be careful when working around bleach to not to get any bleach on your clothes or other fabrics.[5]
  2. Image titled Make a Mixture to Clean Plastic Step 17
    2
    Wipe or spray solution onto plastic. Put bleach solution in spray bottle and spray, or use a clean rag or sponge to apply, bleach onto the plastic surface.
    • Alternatively if the plastic item is small and water friendly, you can soak the plastic directly in the bleach solution.
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    3
    Wait. Let the bleach solution sit on the plastic for 10-15 minutes.
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    4
    Rinse. Use water to rinse off the plastic. Depending on the item you can do this with a hose or faucet, or with more delicate items you may need to wipe it down with a wet cloth.
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    5
    Dry. Dry your now clean plastic with a clean dry towel.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Will vinegar harm a clear plastic cup?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It won't if the vinegar is normal, weak, cooking vinegar that you put on chips or salad.
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Things You'll Need

Clean with Vinegar/Detergent/Baking Soda Mixture

  • Two clean rags or sponges
  • Baking soda
  • Vinegar
  • Dish detergent or other liquid soap
  • Water
  • Spray bottle (optional)

Clean with Baking Soda Mixture

  • Two clean rags or sponges
  • Baking soda
  • Water

Clean with Vinegar Solution

  • Two clean rags or sponges
  • Vinegar
  • Water
  • Spray bottle (optional)

Clean with Bleach Solution

  • Two clean rags or sponges
  • Bleach
  • Water
  • Spray bottle (optional)

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References

  1. ↑ https://foodal.com/knowledge/cleaning/11-ways-remove-stains-plastic/
  2. ↑ https://oconto.extension.wisc.edu/files/2011/02/Baking-Soda.pdf
  3. ↑ https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/nwhomes/cleaning-plastic-can-be-simple-if-you-use-these-tips/
  4. ↑ https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=1220
  5. ↑ https://foodal.com/knowledge/cleaning/11-ways-remove-stains-plastic/

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 59,557 times.
43 votes - 81%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: February 1, 2020
Views: 59,557
Categories: Cleaning Plastic | Home Cleaning Preparations
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