It’s easy to automatically reach for cleaning products with household names that we all recognize when trying to keep our homes clean, but some cheap, basic pantry items such as vinegar can do the job just as well. What’s even better, is that they’re typically more environmentally friendly, too.
Here’s how white vinegar can be used in your house cleaning to keep it naturally and hygienically clean:
To unblock pipes
Pour 1 liter of boiling water and a mixture of equal parts baking soda to white vinegar (a cup of each will do) down the sink, before covering it with a stopper and letting it sit for up to 10 minutes. Then, flush some boiling water down and cancel your call to the plumber!
Food spills in the fridge
Equal parts water to white vinegar can be combined for an effective food stain remover.
Cutting boards
Simply spray your wooden cutting boards with pure white vinegar and wipe clean.
Tiles and grout
Safe to use in diluted or pure form, white vinegar can be kept in a spray bottle and sprayed directly onto tiled walls to remove dirt, mold and mildew.
Showerheads
Place the showerhead into a bag filled with white vinegar and tape it up before leaving it overnight; make sure the showerhead is totally submerged. Then, simply remove it and reattach it the next day.
Eliminating nasty smells
Simply add half a cup of white vinegar to your load of laundry to help get rid of moldy smells that can easily build up on clothes (and in your machine) over time. For a smelly machine, every couple of months, run a full cycle of hot water and a cup of white vinegar.
Whitening whites
To whiten up your whites, try boiling a pot of water and adding a cup of white vinegar before letting your fabrics soak overnight in the mixture. For best results, run them through the machine afterwards.
Hardwood floors
For shiny, spotlessly clean hardwood floors, fill a bucket with one gallon of water and a half cup of white vinegar, and start scrubbing. Always test a small area first, to make sure the vinegar doesn’t tarnish the wood.
Glass
With a combination of white vinegar and water (equal parts), you can use this mixture to get all glass looking shiny and clean, with a streak-free finish.
As a general disinfectant
Harsh chemicals are effective for destroying germs, but they can be harmful both to our skin, and the environment. For an eco-friendly general disinfectant, mix equal parts of water with white vinegar before using it to wipe down surfaces that are frequently touched, such as countertops, remotes and light switches.
Did you know that many cleaning services use natural products such as baking soda and white vinegar to help them get their clients homes spotlessly clean? So, if you want a clean home but worry about harsh chemicals and the damage they can cause, try hiring a local cleaning service who are happy to use only natural products when cleaning your home.
