The first article in this series focused on a DIY Scouring Cleanser. This second Spring Cleaning article will feature an ingredient you likely already have in your home. Vinegar has many advantages, aside from its more standard use as a salad dressing or pickling ingredient. It’s a frugal and environmentally friendly alternative to toxic kitchen disinfectants. Its acidic nature kills the same amount of bacteria most harsh detergents or antibacterial agents can.
A 4-litre jug of white vinegar will cost less than the same amount of an environmentally friendly multi-purpose cleaner, with an advantage: The contents are fully biodegradable and non-toxic.
However, when using vinegar, it is recommended to get one that has a high rate of acidity: The average bottle ranges 5% acetic acid, but a more effective solution should be around the 7% mark. Combining the scouring effects of baking soda with vinegar doubles the disinfecting properties.
Vinegar as a Kitchen and Bathroom Disinfectant.
Keep an empty spray bottle filled with vinegar in your bathroom and kitchen. This frugal and effective disinfectant works well on the following surfaces:
- Counters, ceramic tiles, backsplashes, and kitchen appliances - vinegar can clean those inside and out. (See below for tips on cleaning a microwave with vinegar.)
- Toothpaste specks on mirrors and glass, and it will polish stainless steel and chrome.
- Removes soap scum from shower tiles, stalls and curtains. This will require some elbow grease – a preventative measure would be spraying down your shower walls with vinegar after you shower to prevent soap scum and mould from growing.
- Soap scum from dishwashers and washing machines.
- Descales mineral and lime build-up from kettles, coffee makers, shower heads and irons.
- Removes unpleasant odours: Boil a pan of vinegar over the stove and it will remove “cooking” or “burnt” smells from your kitchen.
- Deodorizes drains and garbage pails.
Frugal Microwave Cleaner
Pour half a cup of vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl with a half-cup of water, and set it to “high” for two minutes. The steam will loosen any caked-on substances, and vinegar will act as a deodorizer. The water will be very hot when you open the door, so use caution, and wear gloves after letting the vinegar mixture cool a bit. A sponge dipped in the warm vinegar-water solution and used to scrub the inside of the microwave will remove any lingering food stains.
Winter Cleaning: Uses for Vinegar
- Salt stain remover on shoes, boots and carpets.
- Removes mould and mildew from humidifiers and dehumidifiers
Eco-Friendly Bathroom Sanitizer
- Fill a spray bottle with straight white vinegar.
- Pour a capful of vinegar into the toilet, then spray the sides of the bowl.
- Sprinkle baking soda in the toilet, wait 15 minutes, and scrub with a bit of baking soda sprinkled on the brush.
- It’s often recommended to pour vinegar into the toilet bowl once a month, and leave it overnight. The vinegar dissolves any alkali build-up and prevents hard-water rings in the toilet.
Environmentally Safe Way to Clean Hardwood and Laminated Floors
Mix the following together and store in a 2-litre bottle with a tight cap – an old soda bottle would work well, but remember to label it clearly.
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 1 litre water
- Use cotton rags, like an old T-shirt for mopping and buffing.
VOC-Free Way To Clean Stone Floors
Do not use vinegar on marble, granite or most stone floors; porous surface tend to get pockmarked, become brittle and eventually break. In this case, it’s best to just use very hot water and a soft bristle brush.
Eco-Friendly Linoleum, Cork or Laminate floor Cleaner
A 5-litre bucket of hot water, with a few tablespoons of phosphate-free liquid dish soap should get some of the grime out of the floors.
In all, getting your home ready for the season's change will leave you and your household feeling "springtime fresh" as the ads say, without the dent in your wallet or the cost of your family's health.
Naomi Szeben - Six-time Editor's Choice Award winner Naomi Szeben puts life into "green and simple living" articles for Suite 101.com. She graduated ...
