'It's surprisingly effective' – How to clean with white bread, and why this pantry staple might be just what your cleaning routine is missing

We've probably all got some tucked away in the pantry, fridge, or freezer for eating, but have you ever thought about cleaning with your white bread?

While the answer is likely a resounding no, you may be surprised by the power of this seemingly unassuming staple baked good.

Here, our professional cleaner shares her cleaning tips for exactly what to clean with it, and why it works.

Why does cleaning with white bread work?

It may seem unlikely, but Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless, says, 'White bread is surprisingly effective as a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner for delicate surfaces.'

'The soft, porous texture is great at picking up fine particles and light moisture without the risk of damage. I’ve personally tried this for picture frames and light wall marks – it’s low-effort and oddly satisfying.'

1. For cleaning glass surfaces

For cleaning a mirror without streaks or cleaning a window, you probably usually reach for a microfiber cloth and cleaning spray, such as the Method Glass Cleaner + Surface Cleaner available at Walmart. But, says Karina, a piece of bread might be all you need.

'Press a slice of white bread gently against smudges on mirrors or framed pictures,' she says. 'It removes dust and light grime without scratching.'

I've also tried cleaning my mirror with shaving foam and genuinely had great results, so sometimes, it really is the method you least suspect to be successful that makes a surprising difference.

2. For removing marks from walls

There's no doubt that a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser available at Amazon is a brilliant and effective way to remove scuff marks from walls, but what about a slice of white bread?

Karina says, 'Dab at scuff marks or fingerprints with the soft side of the bread – it works a bit like an eraser and is perfect for matte paint where traditional cleaners may leave streaks.'

So, while your breakfast toast probably won't be suitable for anything heavy-duty, like cleaning mud off walls or cleaning mold off walls, for light marks and scuffs, why not give it a try?

3. To absorb grease spills

Finally, just like using a slice to mop up olive oil over dinner, you can also use white bread to clean kitchen grease, says Karina.

'White bread can blot small oil spills on counters or fabrics – just press and lift to soak it up,' she advises.

What to shop

Don't fancy relying on bread alone for the household chores you should be doing weekly? These essentials can bridge the gap.

Meet our expert

Karina Toner

As the operations manager at Spekless, Karina has six years of experience overseeing all operations and quality control, which cleaning tips included in Real Homes, Architectural Digest, The Spruce and more.

FAQs

Can you clean wallpaper with bread?

Bread is an effective way to absorb grease stains from wallpaper. Simply cut the crusts of a slice of white bread and roll it into a ball, before blotting at the stain for gentle removal.

I've also tried cleaning my shower with a potato, but was, perhaps unsurprisingly, left unimpressed, as the shower was left streaky, smudged, and stained, which goes to show that pantry cleaning hacks should be used with a little caution at times.