The holidays are over, and you’re still struggling to clean your home all the messes left behind. But what about all that clutter that just builds up every single day? With these easy tips, you can clean your home with vinegar and save yourself time and money in the process! The holidays are over, and you’re still struggling to clean up all the messes left behind.
5 Easy Steps
Vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent, which means you’ll save money by not having to buy as many cleaning products. It is a great deodorizer too. And if you’re concerned about chemicals and other nasties, vinegar is perfect because it doesn’t contain any of those harmful substances. And it has no color or odor of its own so it won’t alter the appearance or smell of your home. To use vinegar around your home, here are five steps how:
Cleaning Floors
If you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive way to clean your hardwood or tile floors without worrying about harsh chemicals, vinegar is an excellent alternative. It won’t leave behind any residue and does a great job at disinfecting. Use two parts vinegar mixed with one part water in a spray bottle and you’ll be left with a streak-free shine on your floors. The acidity of vinegar also allows it to neutralize odors. So while it can be used as an odor eliminator, don’t expect it to work miracles if pet smells are embedded into floors or carpets. However, there are plenty of DIY cleaning solutions that utilize vinegar alongside other natural ingredients such as baking soda that do provide additional odor removal power.
Removing Stains from Furniture
When you want to clean up a stain on your furniture, you have several options. If it’s wood, consider using an all-purpose cleaner or straight white vinegar (or, if it’s an area of your furniture that will be visible—like a side table next to your couch—try using lemon juice and water instead). You can also use nail polish remover on fabric stains. Wipe over with a damp cloth afterward for best results. If you notice an ink stain on any part of your furniture—upholstered or otherwise—make sure to get some rubbing alcohol and blot away at it. try running a test spot first (using an inconspicuous part of your couch) just in case.
Clearing Clogged Drains
If you have clogged drains in your home, and can’t seem to get them clear, then you may want to try using vinegar. You can pour white vinegar directly down your drain and let it sit for a few minutes. If that doesn’t work, try pouring half water and half vinegar down your drain (both run at about pH 5). Let it sit for 10 minutes before running hot water through your sink. Repeat as necessary until your drain is clear.
The acidity of vinegar helps dissolve soap scum and another buildup on pipes. When mixed with baking soda, it can help tackle more difficult problems. For example, if you notice mold starting to grow in your shower or bathtub but are afraid of harsh chemicals or bleach-based cleaners, just mix one cup of baking soda with two cups of water. Add some drops of any essential oil to make your bathroom smell nice while working hard to remove mold.
Fighting Mold
Molds can grow almost anywhere; they love dark, damp places and will especially flourish in your bathroom. Many common cleaning products are toxic and ineffective for dealing with mold (and you’ll probably end up spending more money if you have to keep re-applying them). However, vinegar is a great option. Mix one part white vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle. You can also add three drops of tea tree oil for extra disinfecting power. Use your mixture on dirty floors, grout, shower walls, or anywhere else that mold might be growing.
Neutralizing Odors
Vinegar is one of nature’s natural deodorizers. It also has disinfectant properties and can help neutralize bad smells with its own distinct scent. To put it to use in your home, all you need is a spray bottle and some vinegar of your choice (acetic acid will do just fine). The ingredient list can be further customized with essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, or lemon for a fresher, more pleasant smell.
Where You Can Use The Vinegar
You can use vinegar to clean virtually any surface in your home, including floors, countertops, bathrooms and toilets, walls, and windows. You can even add a little vinegar to your laundry water or use it as a fabric softener. It’s also great for cleaning kitchen appliances like your refrigerator and stovetop.
Floors
Vinegar is a great product for floors because it dissolves dirt, grease, and soap scum in hard-to-reach corners, crevices, and along baseboards. Pour some vinegar on a damp rag or sponge, and you’ll have shiny hardwood floors in no time. You can also use vinegar to clean your home kitchen counters with ease by mixing 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray liberally on countertops or directly onto greasy areas. Let it sit for 15 minutes before wiping clean.
Walls and Windows
One of my favorite ways to make a home feel cleaner is by using vinegar. There are so many uses for vinegar, but I think it works best on walls and windows. You’ll want to make sure you use white vinegar if you’re planning on doing an entire room because most colored vinegar will tint your walls. White vinegar can be purchased at any hardware store for about $2-3 a gallon, which is enough for one room of cleaning.
To clean your home with vinegar, all you need to do is add 3 tablespoons of baking soda to 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle (you can also use water). Mix well and then spray down your walls and windows. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. The baking soda will help soften grime while removing odor from smelly rooms in addition to making glass sparkle!
Laundry
If you have your own washing machine, you already know how difficult it can be to clean with detergent alone. That’s why many people add vinegar, which is great for all types of stains. Add 1 cup of vinegar and 1⁄2 cup baking soda when starting a load of laundry. This should work as an effective stain remover on most clothes that have been soiled with grass or oil-based stains. If you don’t have a washing machine at home, simply soak soiled clothing in a bucket filled with hot water and 1–2 cups of vinegar; leave them there for around 30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. You can also use white vinegar straight from the bottle without diluting it if no other type is available.
Kitchen Appliances
If you’re looking for a simple way to clean your home kitchen appliances (including your refrigerator, stove, and oven), vinegar is a viable solution. Since there are no harsh chemicals involved, it’s safe for your kids and pets. Plus, it’ll cut down on harmful fumes (and save you money). All you need is white vinegar and a sponge or cloth. Simply wipe down all surfaces with an undiluted solution of white vinegar. For an added bonus—especially if you cook regularly—add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to every cup of water in your sink as it fills up.
Kitchen Sink
If you have mold or mildew in your kitchen sink, vinegar can do a great job at killing it. First, scrub off any remaining mold with a pumice stone. Then, get a spray bottle and fill it halfway with white vinegar. Add water until it reaches about two-thirds full. After that, pour baking soda into your drain and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Pour some of your vinegar mixtures down your drain; let it sit for another 30 minutes. Finally, pour some more baking soda down and brush off any remaining residue before washing out what remains with hot water.
Pots and Pans
Get ready for an easy, effective way to clean your pots and pans. Add a half cup of vinegar, 2 cups of water, and a teaspoon of dish soap into one large pot. Bring it all to a boil, then turn off the heat and let it soak overnight in your kitchen sink. This leaves less residue on your pans, making them much easier to clean when you’re cooking next time. For hard-to-reach spots or stubborn messes that may have gathered over time, try using a little bit of baking soda with your vinegar mixture. And if you don’t want that sour smell lingering in your kitchen after everything has soaked overnight? Just add some fresh lemon juice when you heat up those pots!
Wine Glasses
Take a clean glass and fill it with vinegar. Pour it out, then rinse with water. If there is stubborn gunk on your wine glasses, add a little baking soda into each glass and scrub with a microfiber cloth for tough spots. Once done, pour in some white vinegar and let sit overnight. The next day, rinse with water again and you’re good to go!