How to Clean with Cream of Tartar
Think cream of tartar is something you only put on a fish sandwich? Guess again! This baking essential can also be used for a variety of cleaning tasks around your home.
Amanda Thomas
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How to Clean with Cream of Tartar
If you like to cook or bake, then you probably know what cream of tartar is. If not, then you probably assume that it’s something you put on a fish sandwich. Ah, sorry…but, no. Here’s the technical description of cream of tartar:
Cream of tartar is a by-product of the winemaking process. A powder forms inside wine barrels during fermentation. It comes from tartaric acid, a naturally occurring substance in winemaking. It’s found in the sediment left behind in barrels after the wine has been fermented, and it gets purified into the powdery white substance that we use in baking. .
Did you know? Cream of Tartar + Baking Soda = Baking Powder
Baking powder is used in baking all the time to ensure that cakes and cookies rise well. Adding it to beaten egg whites increases their stability and volume when making a meringue.
But here’s something you probably didn’t know about cream of tartar: It’s also a pretty awesome household cleaner. A winemaking by-product – really? That’s right. Here are 12 of the best ways to use cream of tartar in something besides your lemon meringue pie:
12 Tips for Cleaning with Cream of Tartar
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Removing rust stains: Mix one teaspoon cream of tartar with ¼ cup baking soda. Add hydrogen peroxide a little at a time until a paste is formed. Rub the paste on the rust spot. Let sit for 30 minutes and then clean with a damp sponge.
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Cleaning the bathtub and tile: This concoction is almost the same minus the baking soda. Mix a few tablespoons of cream of tartar with peroxide one drop at a time to form a paste. Use this to scrub away a bathtub ring, stains in the tub, or stains on your bathroom tile.
See also: How to Clean Your Bathroom
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Cleaning a stainless steel sink: Mix 1 cup of distilled white vinegar with ¼ cup cream of tartar. Be sure to mix this in a glass or plastic container (no metal). Use the mixture as a scrub for your stainless steel sink and rinse with warm water. Your sink will shine!
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Reviving scratched dishes: Cream of tartar is just great for restoring scratched dinnerware. If you have light colored or white dishes, you know that eating utensils can leave greyish scratches on your plates and bowls. Simply mix cream of tartar and water to form a soft paste. Rub this on the dishes and rinse with warm water. Your plates and bowls will look new again!
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Clean the gunk off your toaster: You know that sticky stuff that collects around the toast slots on your toaster? It resists just about any cleaning application I’ve tried…except cream of tartar. Just mix a little water with some cream of tartar to create a milky substance. Smear it on the sticky stuff, scrub a little with a sponge, and then wipe clean with a damp cloth or paper towel. That gunk is history!
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Cleaning old silver pieces: Silver trays, dishes, and utensils are beautiful…unless they’re tarnished. Then, not so much. There are plenty of silver polishes on the market but they’re smelly and require a good bit of scrubbing. Try using cream of tartar and a damp Magic Eraser. I got great results in just a few minutes when using this easy method of cleaning silver.
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Cleaning aluminum cookware: Aluminum pots and pans can get a dingy, greyish look after a while. To brighten up your cookware, mix 1 quart of water and 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar to your pan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. This should clean the dingy inside. To shine the outside, sprinkle some cream of tartar on a sponge or Magic Eraser, dampen the sponge with water and scour. It will shine brightly when you’re done.
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Making copper gleam: A paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar makes faded copper shine like new. Use a damp cloth or soft sponge to apply the paste and then rinse with warm water. Buff with a dry, soft cloth, and your copper will be reborn.
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Removing carpet stains: Getting rid of a nasty carpet stain can be a big headache. Are you still struggling with that red wine stain from last year’s party? Is there an unsightly spot from the cat’s hairball on your new bedroom rug? Did little Tommy decide to add some artwork to the family room floor? Try this surefire cream of tartar mixture to get rid of carpet stains: create a paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar. Dab this paste directly on the stain and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Using a damp cloth, gently blot the paste until you have removed it completely. Rinse with a clean damp cloth. If the stain isn’t completely removed, repeat this process.
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Removing stains in laundry: If you’re looking for a more natural laundry stain remover, cream of tartar is your answer. To get rid of a tough stain on a tablecloth or a spot on your favorite shirt, mix 2 tablespoons cream of tartar with 2 drops of either peppermint or lemon essential oil. Add enough water to make a thick paste. Spread this on the stain and allow it to dry before running it through a regular cycle in your washing machine. (For more tips on using essential oils to clean your home, check out the episode How to Use Essential Oils in Your Home).
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Eliminating ring around the collar: This tip is super simple. Sprinkle cream of tartar on the dirty ring stain on a shirt collar. Rub it in and then launder as usual. The stain will disappear.
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Removing ink stains: Got a shirt with an ink stain? Here’s an easy and organic way to get rid of the stain. Mix a paste of lemon juice and cream of tartar. Apply this to the ink stain and let it dry. Once dry, wash like normal.
In a good portion of these cleaning tips I have shared with you, you are instructed to make a paste. Unless there are specific measurements recommended, just use equal parts of cream of tartar and the liquid and stir. If this seems too thick, add more liquid; too thin, add more cream of tartar. Exact measurements are not essential for the paste to work well.
Cream of tartar can be purchased in the dried herb and spice section of the grocery store. So, the next time you enjoy a glass of wine, think about the amazing by-product that comes from it.
Until next time, I’m the Domestic CEO, helping you love your home! Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest for more easy tips and tricks for making your house feel like a home.
Tartar sauce image courtesy of Shutterstock.