Going green is more than just a trend it is a global movement to create a healthier living environment and when it comes to green cleaning, vinegar is one of the most versatile green cleaning solutions. White distilled vinegar, during its fermentation process creates acetic acid which is effective at killing bacteria, mold and breaking up deposits such as stuck on food or soap scum. Vinegar based cleaning products can even be found at your local supermarket. Here are some ways in which you can use vinegar to clean.
Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant:
Vinegar can both disinfect and polish surfaces. The acetic acid will not only kill bacteria it will break down and remove dust and dirt particles. It is perfect for wiping your kitchen counter tops and cleaning the inside of your fridge. We recommend keeping your cleaning vinegar inside a spray bottle for convenience. There are many different variations you can make, one of my favorites is simply, one-part lemon juice, one-part white vinegar and two-parts water in a spray bottle. Replace the nozzle and give it a shake. This mixture can typically eliminate 99% of bacteria from surfaces. Please note, you do not use vinegar on surfaces such as marble, waxed floors, and the screens of your electronic devices. The acidity can be very damaging to them. You can also clean a sink or toilet bowl by filling them with vinegar and letting the vinegar sit overnight. You can also use it in your bathroom to clean grout and remove soap scum.
Odor Removal:
Vinegar is very effective at removing unwanted odors, the acetic acid absorbs odors and dissolves them. You can apply vinegar to pet stains, bathrooms or your fridge to remove unwanted odors. Vinegar may not smell the best at first, but it does become odorless when it dries.
Stain Remover: The acidity of vinegar gives it the ability to loosen bonding molecules and proteins that cause most stains. There are several ways to use as a stain remover. Saturate set-in stains with vinegar, then rub the spot with a paste made from equal parts vinegar and baking soda. You can add a couple tablespoons each of vinegar and laundry detergent to a bucket of water and soak the garment overnight if the stain persists. Then, rinse and wash. Another way, if you forgot to move the wash over to the dryer and it smells like mildew or has visible mildew stains, just mix equal parts vinegar and water with some salt, and soak the clothing in the solution.
Ball Point Pen Marks:
Say someone decides to draw on your wall or you get pen on your favorite shirt. Don’t fear, dab some full-strength white vinegar on the pen spot using a cloth or a sponge, gently blot/rub. Repeat until the marks are gone.
Wax Buildup:
When furniture polish or wax builds up on wood furniture or leather tabletops, get rid of it with diluted white vinegar. To get built-up polish off a piece of wood furniture, dip a cloth in equal parts vinegar and water and squeeze it out well. Then, moving with the grain, clean away the polish. Wipe dry with a soft towel or cloth. Most leather tabletops will come clean simply by wiping them down with a soft cloth dipped in 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup water. Use a clean towel to dry off any remaining liquid.
Grease Stains:
Eliminate grease stains from your stove, broiler, kitchen table, or counter by wiping them down with a cloth dampened in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. This method takes advantage of multiple vinegar uses: in addition to removing the grease, the vinegar will neutralize any odors on the surface. For daily grease-fighting action, pour 3-4 tablespoons white vinegar into liquid dishwashing detergent and give it a few shakes. The added vinegar will not only increase the detergent’s grease-fighting capabilities, but also provide you with more dishwashing liquid for the money, because you’ll need less soap to clean your dishes. You can also boil 2 cups vinegar in your greasy pan for about 10 minutes to give it a natural non-stick quality that lasts several months or boil 1 cup vinegar and water in a stainless-steel pot to melt off stubborn slicks.
There are many more ways to use vinegar around your house, these are just a few. Always keep vinegar on hand, you never know when it will come in handy.