Cream of tartar is an incredibly versatile household cleaning ingredient that can be used to clean and deodorize many surfaces and materials around your home. Here are 9 of the best things you can clean with cream of tartar:

1. Pots and Pans

Cream of tartar works wonders on pots and pans, especially those with burned on or sticky residue. Make a paste with cream of tartar and water and scrub your cookware with it. The abrasive texture of cream of tartar loosens stuck on food and residue. It also helps remove stains and discoloration. For extra cleaning power, boil a solution of water and cream of tartar in dirty pots and pans for 10 minutes before scrubbing. The bubbling action will lift stuck on gunk. Rinse and dry thoroughly after cleaning.

2. Stainless Steel

Keep your stainless steel surfaces looking shiny and new with cream of tartar. It removes oxidation, water spots, fingerprints and food stains from stainless steel appliances, sinks and countertops. Make a paste with cream of tartar and water and scrub onto the stainless steel surface in circular motions. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth for a brilliant streak-free shine. For an extra boost, add a drop of essential oil like lemon or eucalyptus for a fresh scent.

3. Copper

Bring the luster and shine back to tarnished copper with a cream of tartar cleaning paste. The mild abrasive texture will buff away built up tarnish and oxidation. Simply mix cream of tartar with lemon juice to make a paste. Apply it onto copper surfaces and rub in circular motions with a soft cloth. Rinse thoroughly and dry. For heavily tarnished copper, boil a solution of cream of tartar and water. Then soak the copper item in the solution for 10 minutes before scrubbing clean.

4. Coffee and Tea Pots

Brewing coffee and tea can leave behind oily residues that build up over time and impart a sour taste. Cream of tartar is great for removing stains and buildup inside coffee and tea pots. For plastic pots, fill with water and add 2 tablespoons cream of tartar. Swish the solution around and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. For ceramic pots, sprinkle cream of tartar inside and scrub with a brush. Rinse several times with clean water. The cream of tartar will remove stains and residual tastes or odors.

5. Glass Coffee Carafes

Cloudy coffee carafes can be refreshed with cream of tartar. Boil some water in the carafe, then dump it out. Sprinkle a few tablespoons cream of tartar inside the carafe. Add hot water and let sit for 15 minutes. The cream of tartar will loosen up the buildup inside the carafe. Dump out the water and scrub with a bottle brush. Give it a final rinse and the carafe will look much clearer. Repeat if needed for stubborn buildup. You can also use cream of tartar to clean glass tea kettles the same way.

6. Kitchen and Bathroom Tiles

Grout and tile build up dirt, soap scum, hard water deposits and stains over time. Whip up a cream of tartar tile grout cleaning solution to make those surfaces look new again. Mix cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide into a spreadable paste. Apply onto tile and grout and let set for 10 minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush, then rinse. The formula will bubble away all the grime. For extra stubborn stains, make a paste with cream of tartar and lemon juice. The citric acid helps brighten and disinfect.

7. Toilet Bowls

Forget harsh chemical toilet bowl cleaners. Clean and deodorize your toilet the natural way with cream of tartar. Sprinkle a few tablespoons into the toilet bowl. Let sit for at least 10 minutes to start breaking down residue. Scrub bowl with a toilet brush and flush. Cream of tartar has a mild bleaching effect to help remove stains and kill germs. It also eliminates odors. For added cleaning and fresh scent, add several drops of essential oil like tea tree or lemon.

8. Mold and Mildew

Cream of tartar can be used to remove mold and mildew from hard surfaces like tile grout, shower curtains and bathroom caulking. Mix cream of tartar with hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice to make a spreadable paste. Apply onto affected areas and let sit for 15 minutes. The formula will bubble away the mold and mildew. Scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse thoroughly. Make sure affected areas dry completely to prevent mold recurrence. Disinfect and deodorize by wiping down surfaces with vinegar after cleaning.

9. Laundry

For brighter, whiter laundry add cream of tartar to your load. It helps remove stains, odors, bleach and soften fabrics. Add 1/2 cup cream of tartar to your detergent in the washing machine drum. Or make a pre-treatment paste with cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide and rub it directly onto fabric stains before washing. Soak white socks and shirts in a solution of cream of tartar and hot water to restore whiteness. Cream of tartar also prevents dye transfer between clothes.

Conclusion

Cream of tartar is clearly a versatile and effective household cleaner. Its abrasive texture scrubs away stains and buildup without harsh chemicals. It leaves surfaces cleaner and brighter. Cream of tartar is inexpensive, non-toxic and has a long shelf life. Keep this multi-purpose cleaner on hand for all your cleaning needs. With just cream of tartar and some water, you can tackle dirty pots and pans, soiled laundry, grimy tile, moldy grout and much more. Give your home a deep clean the natural way with cream of tartar.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning with Cream of Tartar

What exactly is cream of tartar?

Cream of tartar, also known as potassium bitartrate, is an acidic byproduct of winemaking. It is a fine white powder that is created during the fermentation process. It has many culinary uses and is also an effective non-toxic household cleaner due to its mild abrasive texture.

Is cream of tartar abrasive?

Yes, cream of tartar has a gritty, abrasive texture that helps scrub away stains and tarnish when used as a cleaning paste. However, it is milder than other abrasives like baking soda. Use a soft cloth or brush when cleaning with cream of tartar to avoid scratching surfaces.

How does cream of tartar clean?

Cream of tartar works as a cleaning agent in a few ways. It lifts stains through gentle abrasion. It also dissolves residue with its acidic properties. Additionally, cream of tartar has some bleaching power to brighten and whiten surfaces.

Does cream of tartar disinfect?

Cream of tartar does have mild antimicrobial properties, especially when combined with hydrogen peroxide or vinegar. However it is not as effective at disinfecting as bleach or other chemical cleaners. For best results, clean first with cream of tartar then disinfect surfaces afterwards with something like vinegar.

Can cream of tartar remove hard water stains?

Yes, a paste of cream of tartar and water can help scrub away hard water deposits on surfaces like glass, tile and stainless steel. Let the paste sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing to allow the cream of tartar time to dissolve the hard water stains. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning.

What ratio of cream of tartar to water should be used for cleaning?

For most cleaning applications, combine 2 parts cream of tartar to 1 part water. Adjust the consistency as needed. For extra scrubbing power, add in another mildly abrasive powder like baking soda or salt. Sticky pastes work best for direct application on stains and tarnished surfaces.

Is cream of tartar safe for all surfaces?

Cream of tartar is safe to use on most hard, non-porous surfaces like glass, tile, stainless steel and enamel. Avoid using it on softer or delicate materials like wood, natural stone or waxed finishes as it could scratch them. Always test a small area first to make sure it doesn’t damage the surface.

Does cream of tartar expire?

Cream of tartar has an indefinite shelf life if stored in a cool, dry place. As long as it is kept in an airtight container away from moisture, it will stay effective. There is no need to replace cream of tartar unless it gets hardened from absorbing water in storage.

What if I don’t have cream of tartar?

You can substitute lemon juice or white vinegar in place of cream of tartar for most cleaning applications. They provide similar acidity and stain-removing abilities. Baking soda can also be used instead for gentle abrasion, but test first as it is more alkaline.