Homemade cleaning pastes using baking soda and corn starch gain popularity

Experts recommend a simple cleaning paste made from a cup of baking soda, three tablespoons of liquid castile soap (or a mild dish‑washing detergent) and a few drops of lemon or orange essential oil. The mixture works as a gentle abrasive that removes grease, grime and stubborn stains from kitchen counters, stovetops, ovens, sinks, tiles and grout without damaging surfaces.

A separate DIY tip uses only warm water and corn starch. Mixing roughly one litre of warm water with three‑quarters of a teaspoon of corn starch creates a mild abrasive solution that, when applied with a cloth and finished with a dry microfiber wipe, leaves windows completely streak‑free. Both recipes are praised for being inexpensive, safe for household use and reducing reliance on commercial chemicals.