DIY Scouring Powder (EASY Comet Substitute)

As someone who used to clean houses for a living, I can say that Comet scouring powder WORKS. It’s cheap. It gets those sinks beautifully clean.

But as a mom, cook, homemaker, and health advocate for myself and my household, it eventually stopped being worth the warnings. “Wash skin immediately if contact occurs.” “Call Poison Control if swallowed.” “Keep out of reach of children”. Etc…

I’m literally rubbing this stuff in and around the areas where I’m preparing food for my family. Who wants to breathe in fumes while washing vegetables and rinsing coffee mugs? 

Here’s the good news. It’s SUPER EASY to make your own batch of non-toxic DIY scouring powder that works like Comet—BUT IS COMPLETELY SAFE. 

All you need for this recipe is a glass jar, baking soda, sea salt, and citric acid. All natural ingredients. All safe to swallow (as long as it’s food grade). No harsh chemicals. No more worrying about kids getting their hands on it or having it touch the clean dishes you just washed. 

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Why This DIY Scouring Powder Works

The combination of three basic ingredients — baking soda, sea salt, and citric acid — make a powerful abrasive powder that’s highly effective for cleaning sinks and other surfaces. It removes soap scum, stuck-on food, film, and other stubborn spots, leaving behind a squeaky clean surface without the strong chemicals. 

Here’s why this cleaning powder works:

Baking soda: Baking soda provides the gentle abrasive action that physically lifts grime without scratching stainless steel or porcelain. It’s also alkaline, so it neutralizes acidic grime and helps break down grease. You don’t need fancy brands. Arm and Hammer has always worked really well for me. You can buy a big bag of baking soda on Amazon, but sometimes prices are even better at Walmart. 

Sea salt: Salt adds the coarse, gritty texture that tackles the truly stubborn stuff. Fine sea salt works best because the crystals are uniform, making it a mild abrasive that won’t scratch as unpredictably as rock salt or kosher salt. The mineral content in sea salt also helps with scrubbing action in a way that table salt doesn’t quite match. If you only have table salt, it’ll work in a pinch, but the texture won’t be as effective.

Citric acid: Citric acid is a natural cleaner that dissolves mineral deposits, hard water stains, and soap scum, which means less scrubbing for you. A little goes a long way, which is why you only need one tablespoon. I like this 6lb bag from Amazon. It’s also great for using in other DIY cleaners like homemade dishwasher detergent and DIY toilet bowl cleaner. 

Equipment You’ll Need

It’s nothing fancy! Here’s all you need to mix up this recipe:

• Glass jar with a lid for storage. Something with a wide mouth works well so you can easily sprinkle the powder out. I typically use a wide-mouth pint jar. An airtight container is necessary to keep moisture out. Make sure your seal is tight and your hands are dry when you use your powder. If it does get clumpy, gently use a butter knife to break it up.
• Heavy-duty scour pad for the actual scrubbing. (Not a soft sponge that will just push powder around.) My favorite are the green Scotch-Brite pads for a stainless steel sink. For porcelain or enamel, go a bit gentler with a white nylon pad. (The powder does a lot of the work, but you still need something with enough tooth to move the grime once it’s loosened.)

How to Make Your Own DIY Scouring Powder (Comet Alternative)

Making your own homemade scouring powder takes about as long as finding a can of Comet at the grocery store. 

1. In a glass pint jar, measure out 1/2 cup of baking soda. 
2. Next, add 1/4 cup of sea salt to the jar. 
3. Lastly, add 1 Tablespoon of citric acid.
4. Put the top on and shake.
5. Store in a cool, dry place where it won’t collect moisture. I keep mine under the kitchen sink for easy scrubbing. 
6. To use, sprinkle a few tablespoons around your sink and scrub. A little bit goes a long way! The green Scotch-Brite pads are perfect for adding some extra scrubbing power. 

Tips for Your Scouring Cleaning Routine

• Apply to a wet surface, not a dry one. I like to splash some water in my sink and wet my scrubbing pad before I start. Warm water tends to work best.
• Let it sit for a minute before scrubbing. Giving the citric acid 60 seconds to start breaking down mineral deposits makes it easier to scrub with better results. For really tough stains, sprinkle the powder, mist it lightly with water from a spray bottle, and let it sit for five minutes.
• Add a few drops of essential oil during cleaning, not while making the powder. This mixture tends to clump when it gets moist, so adding essential oil into the jar tends to not work well. Instead, add it into your sink when cleaning. Lemon essential oil is a natural antiseptic and antifungal, making it great for cleaning. 
• Rinse thoroughly. Citric acid can sometimes leave a white film if it’s not rinsed, especially on stainless steel. I just take my sink wand and run hot water around the perimeter of the sink when I’m done scrubbing. 
• Avoid using on natural stone. Citric acid can etch the surface and dull the finish. If in doubt, test a small spot first. 

I hope this recipe is as much of a win for you as it is for me! I love that it not only works, but I know exactly what’s going into my sink—simple ingredients that I totally trust to be near the dishes we eat off of every day. 

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