Found in your local grocery store aisle, distilled white vinegar, can be used to clean many areas of your home. We compiled the many uses of vinegar in cleaning your home.
The cleaning uses of vinegar are many from counter tops to mattresses vinegar is a natural way to clean your home inside and out. We put together a list of the top 25 tips for cleaning with distilled white vinegar:
• General all-purpose cleaning: Clean walls, woodwork, blinds, toys, and your fireplace. Dab a white cloth with vinegar to remove white stains from wood furniture. Remove gum and other sticky films from carpet and surfaces.
• How to Make General All Purpose Solution and Disinfectant: Mix 50/50 water and vinegar.
• Windows and Glass: Fill a spray bottle with 1/3 full of vinegar, add 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, and water.
• Carpet rinse: Keep your carpet cleaner, longer after shampooing by rinsing it with 1/2-cup vinegar per gallon of water.
• Carpet pet odor remover: Wet spot with vinegar. Sprinkle with baking soda, and work the two together. Let dry overnight. Vacuum.
• Wood furniture: Clean and condition furniture by adding 1/4-cup white vinegar mixed with 1-cup olive oil.
• Air Freshener: 1/2 tsp vinegar in a spray bottle filled with water
• Remove fingerprints, cutting boards, stainless steel, and windows with a 2:1 vinegar and water solution in a spray bottle. Also, can be used to clean butcher block countertops, stainless steel appliances, windows, and patio doors.
• Save Time and Money Cleaning with Vinegar
• Next time you’re at your local grocery store pick up a bottle of distilled white vinegar found on the shelves of your local grocery store to use to clean your home.
• Clean sticky surfaces with non-diluted vinegar and rag. Works to remove the sticky residue left behind from stickers.
• Remove ink marks on painted walls by dipping a cotton swab in vinegar and apply to the ink, rub to remove.
• Refrigerator: Don't use chemicals where you store your food. Clean with vinegar. Wipe up spills with a 50-50 vinegar-water mix.
• Microwave: Remove stains and buildup. Microwave 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a glass bowl until boiling (usually 2-3 minutes). Simply wipe away buildup with a cloth.
• Coat stained plastic containers with vinegar and let sit for several hours. Then wash as usual to remove stains.
• Countertops: Spray vinegar on your countertops (Warning: Do Not Use on Granite or Marble Surfaces) and wipe with a warm, wet rag.
• Toilet: Light soil: pour one cup of vinegar in toilet and let it sit overnight. The next day, scrub with baking soda, then flush. For Heavy soil empty the toilet water before pouring vinegar in bowl.
• Disinfectant: Scrub away bacteria, fight stains and odors with straight vinegar.
• Tub, Sink, and Drains: Plug drain and pour 1/2-cup distilled white vinegar around drain. Let sit for several hours. Then scrub to remove buildup. Drain, and rinse.
• Unclog any drain without chemicals by pouring 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1 cup vinegar; allow to foam. Rinse.
• Shower: use a dryer sheet to remove soap scum on shower doors. Wet down 2-3 dryer sheets and wipe the door down then rinse well to remove the soap scum. For tough to remove buildup and stains try boiling vinegar then use to wipe down shower door and walls. Every five minutes for the next half hour dampen the walls and door by wiping them down again. After 30 minutes, grab a no scratch sponge and dip in vinegar and add a small amount of baking soda, and scrub. Rinse. Removes mold, water spots, and soap scum.
• Dampen a sponge with vinegar (no water) to remove soap scum from shower curtains
• Showerhead: Fill a plastic bag with vinegar and secure it to your showerhead with a twist-tie. The bottom part of the showerhead should be submerged in the vinegar. Let sit overnight. Remove. Removes mold, water spots, and soap scum.
• Mattress disinfectant: Mix vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Lightly spritz on your mattress to help combat dust mites, mildew, and general odors. To deep clean, follow with a dusting of baking soda. Let dry, then vacuum.
• As a fabric softener: Soften clothes and remove static for half the price of store bought softeners. Just add a cup to the water of the last rinse cycle.
For additional help cleaning your home, contact It Is What It Is Cleaning (402) 578-6515.
WARNING: When using vinegar to clean, always test spot fabrics, furniture, flooring, and carpet before applying. Much like lemon juice, vinegar is acidic as it has a pH of 2-3. Also, vinegar should not be used on granite, marble, stone tiles, and hard surfaces as it may ruin the finish.