How to clean the traditional way
If you’re looking for a thorough, great-value clean, you can’t beat the tried-and-tested traditional methods! These products have been relied on for decades, are cheap to buy in bulk, and have the added benefit of being 100% natural – so they’re safe to use across your home. Here are some of our faves and the jobs they’re brilliant at.
By Alex- 15th June 2026
- 6min read
Soda crystals
Lifts stains from fabrics & surfaces
Before modern washing powders came along, soda crystals were the most popular products for cleaning clothes, and for good reason! They’re brilliant at cutting through stubborn stains such as grease and oil. Simply make a paste with a touch of water, scrub the stain, and pop it through the laundry as normal. This hack also works on upholstery and carpets!
Tackles tough jobs in the kitchen
If you’re furiously scrubbing away at caked-on food in your roasting trays or saucepans, give soda crystals a go at it. Their superior cleaning and mild abrasive qualities will help you break down even the most burnt-on bits. Sprinkle some into your cookware with a touch of warm water and use a brush to scrub it off.
Cleans your patio
Soda crystals are just as happy outdoors as in! If your patio is a bit dirty, slippery, or has algae, mix a bucket of water and a good handful of soda crystals and use your garden brush to go to town on the patio before rinsing with clean water. It’s an effective outdoor cleaner without all the nasty chemicals.
For the full guide, our blog on how to clean your patio can help – you don’t even need a power washer!
Cleans the washing machine
It doesn’t take long for excess grime to start building up in your washing machine, particularly in the parts you can’t see. Luckily, they’re so easy to clean with the help of soda crystals! Chuck a mugful (an accurate measurement…) straight into the drum and run your machine’s hottest and longest cycle. It’ll make light work of any built-up crud in the pipes and leave the drum sparkling.
For handy tips on cleaning your washing machine fully, check out our blog.
Bicarbonate of soda
Cleans delicate surfaces
We love a bit of bicarb – this mild-abrasive cleaner is great for cleaning delicate surfaces such as aluminium, chrome, stainless steel and tin, making it ideal for many surfaces like cooker tops, sinks, tiles and floors. Either sprinkle directly onto the surface and wipe with a damp cloth, or dilute with some water and rub around with a cloth before wiping away.
Removes odours
Bicarb is fragrance-free and excellent at absorbing funky smells around your home. Pop some in a small dish and use it to freshen up your fridge, or leave some around your pet area if it’s starting to kick up a stink.
Cleans the mattress
Your mattress often gets a little neglected when it comes to cleaning. Now and again, it’s never a bad idea to freshen it up, especially with the amount of time we spend on it! Remove all the sheets and sprinkle the top with bicarb. Leave it on for as long as you can before vacuuming it off. It’ll neutralise any odours and give it a good general clean.
Makes your cookware sparkle
Whether you’re dealing with cooked-on food or discolouration, bicarbonate of soda is your friend! Use it in combination with a splash of water and a brush to make light work of any imperfections on glass, ceramic, stainless steel… just about anything.
Citric acid
Makes a great descaler
Many of us in the UK are saddled with hard water, which leads to limescale build-up. There are plenty of descalers on the market, but did you know you could use citric acid to get the same results? It’s cheaper, food-safe, non-toxic, and so versatile!
Dissolve some in water, pop it in a spray bottle, and use it to descale taps and showerheads. For the kettle, fill it halfway with water and bring to the boil before adding a tablespoon of citric acid. Give it a few minutes to work its magic before emptying it, refilling it, boiling it, then emptying and boiling it once more. Sparkling!
For coffee machines, follow the manufacturer's guidelines and simply replace the descaler with citric acid. It’ll descale the inner workings of your machine and leave it shiny.
Cleans your appliances
When it comes to dishwashers and washing machines, all you need to give them a deep clean is a bag of citric acid!
To clean your dishwasher, fill the dishwasher detergent compartment with citric acid and run it empty on its longest and hottest cycle or dedicated cleaning cycle.
For the washing machine, pop a good handful of citric acid into the drum. Run it on a long, hot cycle, and it’ll clean the drum and inner workings just as well as your branded cleaners.
Can be used as a fabric softener
Fabric softener gives your clothes a lovely scent and a soft feel, but did you know it can build up on clothes and inside your machine? With towels, it can affect their absorbency – which is against the point, really! Instead, dilute a couple of teaspoons in some water and pop that in the fabric softener compartment. This also has the benefit of giving your machine a little clean at the same time.
White vinegar
Makes your windows and mirrors sparkle
The road to streak-free glass is fraught with peril, and it’s a cleaning job that many people put off. However, we’ve found the technique that works every time – and it uses good old white vinegar.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and spray the window or mirror with it. You can then grab a squeegee or lint-free cloth and wipe off the excess before buffing with a dry microfibre cloth, or (top tip incoming) grab a newspaper! Crumpled-up newspaper works wonders at giving your windows and mirrors a streak-free finish.
Great for mould control
Mould is a common pesky problem in UK homes, especially in winter. Though there are plenty of products out there to combat it, many of them are pretty toxic to humans and animals and are quite smelly. Luckily, you can do the same thing with white vinegar!
Tackle any mould spots on window frames or tiles by applying some white vinegar and leaving it to work its magic. It’ll make light work of the mould so you can simply wipe it off. And if you accidentally get some on yourself? Vinegar won’t hurt you!
For more great ideas for winter, we have 6 easy steps to avoid moisture in your home.
Can be used as a multi-purpose cleaner
Run out of your favourite cleaning spray? Have no fear! Equal parts white vinegar and water, with a drop of washing-up liquid, make a brilliant multi-purpose cleaner for use around the home.
White vinegar is great stuff – so much so that we have a whole blog about it here!
Stock up on all your favourite cleaning products on wilko.com.
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