Cleaning With Vinegar

Vinegar is an inexpensive and natural household product that is highly versatile. There are different types of vinegar that can be used for cooking, and others that have application for medical, industrial, and domestic purposes. Vinegar is an environmentally friendly cleaning agent. Because it contains acetic acid, vinegar is effective in eliminating most forms of germs, bacteria, and mold on a variety of surfaces and materials. Let’s explore some of vinegar’s many cleaning uses. In most instances, the vinegar of choice for cleaning purposes will be distilled white vinegar.

Cleaning With Vinegar in the Kitchen and Bathroom

A paste made with two parts salt and one part distilled white vinegar will get rid of mineral deposits on smooth surfaces such as glass, chrome, stainless steel, or tile to make them shine. It can even be used to effectively polish brass and bronze items.

Mix distilled white vinegar with an equal amount of water to clean the walls and shelves in your refrigerator. Use full-strength vinegar on a paper towel or cloth to keep your countertops clean and odor-free, and to cut the greasy build-up on top of the fridge.

Deodorize your garbage disposal by pouring half a cup of baking soda in the drain, followed by a half cup of hot vinegar. Let the mixture do its job for five minutes, then run hot water down the drain. See what else you can use baking soda for?

Make your microwave oven look like new again by heating 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe cup or bowl until boiling. Allow the hot vinegar to sit inside the closed microwave for a few minutes. Remove the bowl and wipe down the walls and turntable with a clean damp cloth. Baked-on food will be softened and can be cleaned easily.

A vinegar-soaked sponge is a great tool to use when dealing with greasy areas such as the stove vent or stovetop. Any iron or steel components that are showing signs of rust can be soaked for a few hours in vinegar to remove and prevent rust.

You can also use a home made spray and wipe that uses eucalyptus.

Cleaning With Vinegar in the Laundry

To achieve great results on your next batch of laundry, try adding a quarter cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. The vinegar acts to relax the fibers and reduce static charges. It prevents yellowing in fabrics and reduces the amount of lint.

The use of vinegar in your washing machine will actually help increase the efficiency of the machine by cutting the soap scum in the hoses. It is recommended that you periodically run the washer through a wash cycle with a cup of vinegar alone.

Many tough stains, including tomato-based sauces, can be lifted easily with a solution of water and vinegar applied before washing the garment. For mustard stains, do not dilute the vinegar. Perspiration stains and odors disappear, too, with vinegar’s potent yet gentle power. Some stains like ink can be removed by soaking in a mixture of equal parts of milk and vinegar.

Miscellaneous

Wipe down walls, windowsills, and other surfaces with vinegar to eliminate smoke smells. The vinegar scent will also dissipate.
Vinegar will dissolve and remove gummy residue left by price tags and stickers. Soak a bumper sticker with vinegar, let stand, and then peel off. Be sure to test the vinegar on painted surfaces first to make sure it won’t affect the paint.

Water rings left by glasses on wood will disappear when rubbed with a paper towel or cloth dipped in a solution of equal parts vinegar and olive or vegetable oil. Rub the solution on the stain, following the wood grain, and then polish with a dry cloth.

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