Ever go to clean your sink, grab the Soft Scrub, and realize the bottle’s empty? Or maybe you’ve been wanting something a little more natural that won’t leave you coughing from strong fumes.

Good news: you’ve got options. Tons of them.

Soft Scrub is great, sure, but you can get the same sparkle (and sometimes an even better one) using stuff you already have at home.

In this post, I’ll show you eight Soft Scrub alternatives that are cheap, simple and actually work.

#1 Baking Soda Paste

This one’s a total classic. It’s the simplest soft scrub alternative you can make, and it works for just about everything including sinks, bathtubs, stovetops, and even inside the fridge.

Just mix three parts baking soda with one part water until it forms a thick paste.

Spread it on the area you want to clean, give it a few minutes to work its magic, and then scrub lightly with a sponge or cloth.

The fine texture of baking soda helps lift dirt and stains without scratching.

Plus, it’s completely non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about fumes or residue.

If you want to step it up, swap the water for lemon juice. It smells fresh and gives the paste a little extra cleaning punch thanks to the citric acid.

#2 Baking Soda + Dish Soap

If the plain baking soda paste feels a little too basic for you, try mixing it with dish soap.

Dish soap is great at cutting through grease and oils, so adding it to your baking soda mixture amps up the cleaning power. Just mix a tablespoon of dish soap with half a cup of baking soda.

Add enough water to make it a paste.

This combo works wonders on greasy pans, your stovetop, or even grimy bathroom surfaces. I even use it on the shower floor when soap scum builds up. It foams up a little as you scrub, which makes it feel satisfying to use.

It’s like a two-in-one punch - baking soda scrubs while the dish soap breaks down the grease.

Plus, it smells way better than most chemical cleaners.

#3 Vinegar + Baking Soda Foam

If you love a good science experiment, this one’s a fun Soft Scrub alternative.

The fizzing action helps loosen up dirt and grime so you don’t have to scrub as hard. Sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the surface, then spray or pour white vinegar over it. Watch it bubble up and foam like crazy for a few seconds.

Once the fizzing calms down, let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Then scrub and rinse with warm water. This combo is perfect for cleaning soap scum in tubs, sinks, or shower walls.

It’s also great for getting rid of weird smells in drains - just pour the mix down and flush with hot water afterward.

It’s simple, natural, and super satisfying to use.

Also Read: Essential Cleaning Supplies For A New Apartment

#4 Hydrogen Peroxide + Baking Soda

This Soft Scrub substitute is perfect for brightening and whitening.

Hydrogen peroxide is a great disinfectant, and when you mix it with baking soda, you get a paste that can really do some heavy lifting.

Mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to make a thick paste.

Apply it to stained areas like grout lines or on top of moldy spots. Let it sit for a few minutes (the peroxide will bubble and work on breaking down stains). The hydrogen peroxide works as a mild bleach, breaking down stains and lifting discoloration.

After that, just scrub lightly and rinse well.

It’s perfect for deep cleaning projects, and it’s also gentle enough not to damage surfaces like grout or tile. Just don’t store this one in a closed container for long!

#5 Castile Soap Scrub

If you love a good, natural cleaner that smells amazing, Castile soap is a good alternative to Soft Scrub.

It’s made from plant oils, so it’s gentle but still powerful enough to handle most messes.

To make a simple scrub, mix about half a cup of baking soda with two tablespoons of liquid Castile soap. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil if you want it to smell fancy. Lavender and lemon are both great options.

This works wonders on delicate surfaces like marble or granite, where vinegar might be too harsh. It’s also safe for stainless steel and glass.

After cleaning, everything looks shiny and feels smooth to the touch.

It’s basically an all-purpose cleaner in disguise.

Also Read: How To Clean A Plastic Bathtub

#6 Salt Scrub

For a more rustic, gritty approach, salt makes an awesome scrub.

It’s especially useful if you need to scrub surfaces that can handle a little extra abrasion, like your grill or cast iron pans. Salt’s rough texture helps break down stuck-on food, grease, and grime.

Just sprinkle a handful of salt onto a damp sponge or cloth, and start scrubbing. You can also mix it with a bit of lemon juice or dish soap for added cleaning power.

It’s especially good for cleaning stainless steel sinks, pots, and pans.

Salt also has natural antibacterial properties, so it’ll help kill germs, too.

Just avoid using it on soft surfaces like plastic or acrylic tubs since it might be a little too rough for those.

#7 Bar Keepers Friend

If you’d rather not DIY your cleaner, Bar Keepers Friend is a great store-bought option.

It’s been around forever and has a bit of a cult following for good reason.

It’s gentle but strong, and it works on everything from ceramic to stainless steel. The soft cleanser version is especially nice because it spreads easily and rinses clean. It’s excellent for tough stains, mineral buildup, and even rust.

What I love most is how it restores old surfaces to look almost new. It’s like magic on cloudy glass stovetops or rusted sinks.

Just apply, scrub lightly, and rinse - it’s that simple.

#8 Bon Ami Powder Cleanser

Bon Ami is another great Soft Scrub alternative if you prefer ready-to-use cleaners.

It’s been around for over a century and still going strong, mostly because it’s gentle, effective, and made from simple ingredients. It doesn’t have bleach, dyes, or harsh perfumes, which makes it perfect for people with sensitive skin or allergies.

Sprinkle some powder on a damp sponge and scrub. It works on sinks, tubs, countertops, and even cookware.

The cool thing about Bon Ami is that it’s less abrasive than most powder cleaners, so it won’t scratch surfaces. Yet it still manages to cut through grime beautifully.

It’s a good go-to if you like minimal, non-toxic cleaning products.

Bottom Line

These Soft Scrub alternatives are proof that simple ingredients can do the job just as well and sometimes even better.

Plus, most of them cost pennies to make and don’t come with harsh chemical smells.

Start with baking soda. Then experiment with the other combos until you find your favorite. If you like convenience, keep a bottle of Bar Keepers Friend or Bon Ami on hand. If you prefer a natural route, stick to the DIY recipes.

8 Awesome Soft Scrub Alternatives