We hear this refrain a lot: we could replace all of our cleaning products with just vinegar and baking soda. It is a very green idea, and an appealing one. But we have no idea exactly where to start. Do we use it full strength, dilute it with water, and when do we mix in baking soda? Is it safe on my ceramic oven, or my stainless steel sink? We had no idea.
Luckily, Vinegar Tips does know, and they have put together a very comprehensive list of how and where to use vinegar to replace other cleaners. Below, a few of our favorite suggestions.
• Remove odors from a lunch box by placing inside a slice of bread that has been soaked in white distilled vinegar. Leave overnight.
• Remove white water rings from wood with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and vegetable oil. Rub with the grain.
• To clean and disinfect baby toys add a good-sized splash of white distilled vinegar to soapy water.
• Clean and deodorize urine on a mattress with a white distilled vinegar and water solution. Then sprinkle the area with baking soda and let dry. Brush or vacuum the residue after it is dry to the touch.
• Get rid of the tiny holes left along the hemline when you take out the hem of any garment by moistening a cloth with white distilled vinegar, placing it under the fabric and ironing.
These are just a few of the hundreds of suggestions at Vinegar Tips. Given that a bottle of vinegar and a box of baking soda is less than $2.50 at our local grocery store, it is definitely cost effective to try to integrate a few of these into our regular cleaning routine. Of course the smell of it just reminds us of fish and chips, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Have you tried vinegar as your main cleaning product? Does it work like they say it does? Any drawbacks? Does your house smell like vinegar afterward?
Good Posts:
• Green Clean
• Natural Choices Cleaning Products
• How To: Unclog Your Drain (using vinegar and baking soda).
Vinegar's not my main cleaning product but I use it for a lot of things. It deodorizes well and gets starch stains off my stainless steel pots and pans better than anything. I also use it diluted with water to clean my counters.
The vinegar smell only lasts an hour or so tops. Less than chemical cleaners.
view magnuson's profile
Ever since the birth of the wee-one I've been looking for non-toxic cleaner alternatives. We don't want the chemicals around him and he puts his mouth on everything! The solution I've been using lately:
1/4 cup vinegar to half quart boiled water.
I use this while it's still hot to clean the carpets and have been pleasantly surprised at its effectiveness. I put the leftover in a spray bottle and use it to clean everything else(mirrors, counters, etc...)
The smell dissapates but I've been pondering adding some essential oil or something...orange oil?, lavender?? Has anyone done this?
view Jet'set's profile
The mattress tip works. To clean bathroom counters and sinks, I sprinkle the area with baking soda, then spray with vinegar and scrub/rinse. I find this too tedious for cleaning the shower, though, so I tend to use bleach or sugar soap. But maybe it's just because I don't clean it often enough!
view Kat's profile
Hm, white vinegar and malt vinegar smell different to me. Cleaning with vinegar gives me a more easter egg-y sensory experience. Either way, cleaning with vinegar and baking soda is great, as long as you don't make a volcano.
view lb's profile
What's wrong with making a volcano, lb? ;) I mean, that's basically the way to clean a slow drain with baking soda and vinegar...
view Nora Rocket's profile
My two favorite vinegar usages: cleaning a microwave and getting rid of hard water deposits. To clean your microwave, put in a little bowl of vinegar and nuke it for a few minutes. The vinegar should boil. Wait a couple more minutes, than wipe down the inside of the microwave. Works like a charm, with no scrubbing needed. (Yes, we let our microwave get a little grungy sometimes.) We live in San Antonio where the water has a lot of calcium. Everything gets calcium buildup--faucets, sinks, silverware, etc. Vinegar works great. I have tried using products like Lime-A-Way. Vinegar actually works better, and the acid is not one I worry about my child or dog getting into. Just soak silverware, or rub faucet with a vinegar-soaked rag, or spray with a spray bottle. Oh yea, faucet heads. Soak'em in a little bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe or rinse off. If the deposits are bad, you may need to repeat a few times, but basically the vinegar does all the work. Easy as can be, cheap and safe.
view quincyscott's profile