Tuesday, July 3, 2018

White Vinegar: The Perfect Household Cleaner

Buy a spray bottle at Home Depot or a hardware store to keep a white vinegar-water solution to grab as needed.
Cleaning is repeditive, no matter how well we do it. If we can save on the products we buy, it really adds up over time. An even greater consideration is safety. Lately I use white vinegar and water as an all-purpose household cleaner and it works! One bottle costs about 89 cents.

I have long known that white vinegar combined with baking soda keeps drains free flowing, but recently I tossed it into the bathtub, to attack soap scum without scrubbing. (Verses Scrubbing Bubbles, $5.) I sprinkle the baking soda along the sides and bottom of the tub, then spray white vinegar and water from a spray bottle on it. The mixture fizzles and all I have to do is wipe with a damp sponge to remove the soap scum. Rinse with clean water to finish, if you wish. 

It is safer to have a residue of baking soda and white vinegar
underfoot, as opposed to, unknown chemicals. (Sometimes I read stories of pets dying after licking their paws from chemicals used to clean the floors! It can't be good for humans either.)

For that reason, I began using white vinegar mixed with some water (a 3:1 ratio) to mop my floors, clean other bathroom fixtures, mirrors and the walls. Vinegar kills germs, yet is gentle on anything painted (like a toilet seat or walls), and it won't damage an expensive wool rug or wood furniture in the living room. 

Mopping the floor is a much easier process with white vinegar and water. A make-shift Whiffle mop helps with the task: I wrap 6 Bounty paper towels around a dry sponge mop. Staple at the edges to hold together. After spraying the floors with the vinegar-water mixture and mopping, tear off the dirty towels to toss in the trash. There is no real need to follow up with clean water, as vinegar dries in about a minute leaving no scent, or residue. The dirt gets lifted off and carried away by the paper towels!

There are no side effects to cleaning with white vinegar. It leaves behind no dirt, germs, contaminants, risks or allergy concerns.

Works to clean kitchen sinks, microwaves, refrigerators and counter tops also. (Coffee leaves behind one of the few tough stains, you may need a little bleach to remove. First you could try a vinegar-baking soda-hot boiling water mixture.)

Sooo. Say goodbye to separate chemical-based household cleaners. Hello one-stop smut blustering wonder: CH3COOH (acetic acid), commonly known as vinegar. The old and new cleaning superstar!!


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A Boost Of Peppermint
Unshrinkit Sweater Restorer    
A Simple Natural Bug Repellent
Eco-Friendly Garden And Pest Control Tips

7 comments:

  1. Dearest Debra,
    And another important factor is that there are no toxic chemicals inside that affect the bacterial breakdown inside a septic tank!
    Vinegar added to clean water gives the best shine for windows too!
    We got raised with using it a lot. Also great to use on insect bites.
    Hugs and Happy 242nd Independence Day tomorrow!
    Mariette

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    1. Great information, Mariette! Europeans have many time tested cleaning and health remedies I'd love to learn more about.

      Happy 4th of July! Now that you live in America, you too celebrate.

      xoxo,
      Debbie

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  2. In my house, in bathroom that was re-done, there is a nice shower with sliding glass doors. These have been IMPOSSIBLE to clean with any sprays / chemicals /whatever. So, next cleaning day, I am going to mix up some vinegar- baking soda, maybe put in a spray bottle (or apply w sponge- not sure if the spray will work) and see if all the grime and crud can be removed.

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  3. A very interesting post Debra. I really should try this as I do worry about contaminants around the house. Also as a cancer survivor, I need to be more aware; I find I get a bit lazy about it as the years go by!!

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    1. When the soap scum wiped away so easily I thought why did it take me so long to try vinegar and baking soda? You will be amazed like I was, Trish. And perhaps it’s good you are not stuck in the past remembering your darker days.

      Welcome back from your vacation!

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