Cleaning With Vinegar
When looking for environmentally green cleaning supplies on your next shopping trip pick up a bottle of white distilled vinegar instead.
- White vinegar is one of the most often overlooked and economical effective cleaners that you will find.
By using distilled white vinegar when cleaning your home you are keeping it safe without the risk of harmful and dangerous side effects of other types of cleaning agents. - Vinegar is used primarily for its acidity because it makes for a wonderful natural antibacterial. As you know the smell can be quite simply overpowering to say the least, but once it dries and strong smell disappears.
- Vinegar is excellent for literally hundreds of various types of cleaning methods. Just in case you’ve never used vinegar before you may want to practice first with making cleaning solution.
By mixing equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water you can now easily clean windows, glass, or mirrors. By mixing water with the vinegar you are diluting the acid so it will not damage any delicate surfaces.
- After mixing your solution together pour it into an empty spray bottle of choice, label contents
and spray your windows. Next take a crumpled piece of newspaper (or recycled paper) and wipe it down for a fabulous streak free shine. This same solution is also excellent for cleaning the shelves and walls of the refrigerator, cleaning your counter tops in kitchens.
- If your counter tops are marble you do not want to use this solution as the acid in vinegar can damage marble counter tops and surfaces.
The wonderful thing about cleaning with vinegar is it can be used for almost any cleaning chore your are not limited to using it just for one or two things.
By mixing a cup of vinegar with an equal amount of baking soda and a gallon of warm water this makes an excellent cleaner for your vinyl, wood or tile floors. Just dampen a cloth with this mixture and start mopping.
If you prefer mopping with a wet mop then make a solution of 3 drops of dish washing liquid to 1/3 part white distilled vinegar, 1/3 part alcohol and 1/3 part water. Spray this sparingly onto your floors and mop.
In the Bathroom Cleaning the toilet
Vinegar can be used in the bathroom as well. It can be used to remove nasty bathtub and toilet rings. For toilet bowl rings pour straight distilled white vinegar in the bowl and let it sit for approximately 30 minutes. Then sprinkle in baking soda around the bowl and scrub with your toilet brush to clean and remove rings.
Cleaning the bath tub
For your bathtub I suggest soaking your bathtub ring. Spray with more vinegar and scrub with a sponge or clean rag.
Avoid using Vinegar on Acrylic surfaces
For the bathtub, never use vinegar or any ammonia based products on a acrylic and fiberglass bathtubs as it can dissolve the non skid surface of the tub. In this case make a paste of cream of tartar and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution and spread cream over tub, scrub and rinse clean.
Cleaning the Dishwasher
Vinegar is also an excellent deodorizer. Run a cup of white distilled vinegar through your dishwasher once a month to keep it spotless and smelling fresh. Filling your dishwashers soap dispensers with baking soda and running through the cycle is also another way to freshen and keep the inside of your dishwasher clean and smelling fresh.
Vinegar will help to get rid of mildew, dust, and stale odors as well. Use it undiluted and wipe down your walls with a cloth or sponge mop.
Vinegar is an excellent cleaning solution for woodwork and wood paneling. To use on woodwork and walls:
- make a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup of baking soda, and ½ cup ammonia to 1 gallon of warm water.
- Wipe down your walls and woodwork with a sponge or damp-not wet-towel.
- To clean your wood paneling make a solution of ¼ cup olive oil, ½ cup white distilled vinegar and 2 cups of warm water. Wipe on your paneling with a soft cloth.
Vinegar even kills germs as well. Spray vinegar full strength onto doorknobs, faucets, and shower heads and then simply wipe them dry.
Vinegar Clean video- Ways to clean using Vinegar
There are literally hundreds of ways to use white vinegar for various cleaning tasks. So remember the next time you’re in the store to purchase a brand new bottle of all purpose cleaner, you’ve already got an excellent one at home.
Be sure to never use vinegar mixture on Marble surfaces and always test products on an inconspicuous area first.