Cleaning with vinegar is easy and inexpensive, not to mention better for the environment than harsh chemicals. It has wide range of cleaning purposes, but here are five of the best.
1. Clean your windows
If you are tired of streaky windows from chemical cleaners, give vinegar a try. Combine equal amounts of distilled white vinegar and hot water. Spray it onto windows and wipe them clean with soft dry cloth. They will sparkle, shine and have a streak-free finish.
2. Get shiny stainless steel appliances
Stainless steel looks great with everything - except for fingerprints. Skip the fancy (and expensive) stainless steel cleaners and use undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle instead. Just spray on the vinegar and wipe off the marks with a clean cloth. The acetic acid in vinegar cuts through the oil in the fingerprints, making it a cinch to wipe away.
3. Kitchen drains and garbage disposals
Commercial drain cleaner isn't only expensive, it's bad for the planet and your pipes, as well, since it can cause your plumbing to erode over time. Instead, try this natural drain cleaner that unclogs blockages and helps remove funky odours. Start by pouring a cup of boiling hot water down the drain, followed by 1/2 a cup of baking soda. Pour in one cup white vinegar with one cup of boiling water mixed into it, and plug the drain to keep the contents inside. The vinegar and the baking soda react, causing a fizzy solution that clears the drain and knocks out odour.
Frozen ice cubes made from water and white vinegar are great for deodorizing garbage disposals. Just drop a few cubes in and switch it on for instant odour busting.
4. Glassware in the dishwasher
Hate spots on your glasses after they've been in the dishwasher? Vinegar works just as well as any commercial spot remover in dishwashers. Use distilled white vinegar in place of the commercial product, and your glassware will sparkle.
Another benefit of using vinegar in the dishwasher is that it kills odours inside the unit too. Pour a cupful of distilled white vinegar on the bottom section of the dishwasher to beat odours and get sparkling dishes.
5. Wooden cutting boards
Cutting boards can harbour dangerous bacteria if they are not cleaned thoroughly, but wooden cutting boards can be particularly difficult to clean since they absorb dirt and germs. Vinegar can help keep the boards clean and safe from dangerous bacteria. Simply rub undiluted white vinegar all over the surface of the board. The vinegar disinfects the board and keeps it safe to use.
Save your money and the environment when cleaning your home, and use vinegar instead of chemical products.
