Cleaning with vinegar: 7 chores you can do cheaply and without polluting the environment
We often talk about how vinegar is an excellent ally in home cleaning, given that it really comes in handy in many daily chores, proving to be an effective and economical alternative to many other products. So when the specific detergent for some particular cleaning job is missing, we can often use vinegar. And sometimes we might even discover that we like the results obtained by using just vinegar.
In many cases, we can use the vinegar we have in the kitchen (white or red wine vinegar), but even better is alcohol vinegar: the one called "white vinegar distillate", which has a concentration of acetic acid of about 5%.
Cleaning with vinegar: from windows to floors
Consier large surfaces first: vinegar generally works well on everything. But be careful not to throw yourself headlong into the over-use of this product. Although natural and less aggressive than other products, there are delicate materials and surfaces on which its use is not recommended. Therefore, avoid using it on wooden floors or furniture (unless it is just a drop, very diluted or perhaps combined with the use of other products), as well as using it on marble and granite. Again, it is not recommended to use vinegar on delicate fabrics.
Otherwise, you can dilute the vinegar with half or equal parts water. Here then we can use it on:
- Windows and glass: whether they are mirrors or windows, vinegar is an excellent degreaser that elminates encrusted dirt as well as limescale, making the glass shine. Dilute it with water (perhaps distilled water) and just wipe it on the glass with soft, lint-free cloths, with regular movements, and you will clean without leaving streaks.
- Floors: for any routine cleaning you can use very hot water with a full glass of vinegar and adding just a drop of dish detergent. Dirt, germs and mold will be cleaned with this method. As for the pungent smell, it disappears after a while, especially if you air out the rooms. And if you really want to avoid the smell, add 3-5 drops of an essential oil of your choice to add to the water and vinegar solution.
- Bathroom fixtures: from the sink to the shower cubicle, to the toilet and the bathtub... All bathroom ceramics can be washed with vinegar mixed with water in equal parts. Here too, you can add a drop of dish soap, or even a teaspoon of Marseille soap to the mixture. Then, using sponges and rinse cloths, you will have a product that will clean your entire bathroom.
Kitchen appliances and work surfaces: you can clean these using vinegar
The list of commonly used objects that we can clean with vinegar in the kitchen is lengthy. Among these are:
- Cutting boards: whether they are made of wood, silicone or metal, vinegar will help us keep them pristine. Always remember that wood is the most affected by frequent washing - especially with this vinegar - and will therefore need to be periodically reconditioned with the appropriate products to restore the wood fibres. A bowl with water and vinegar in equal parts and a sponge once again becomes an effective cleaner for scrubbing cutting boards, perhaps with the help of toothbrushes to get into the crevices. Leave on to act for a couple of minutes, rinse off and dry.
- Kettles and water bottles: all containers that have liquids inside them develop unpleasant odors and limescale residue. Make both of these hassels disappear by using vinegar. For water bottles, boil a cup of water and a cup of vinegar, then pour the mixture into the water bottle, close the cap, shake vigorously and wait half an hour before emptying and rinsing out. With the kettle it's even easier: just boil the mixture in it!
- Inside the refrigerator: equip yourself with a spray bottle, fill one third with vinegar and one third with water. Also add a little lemon juice or - better still - 3 drops of citrus essential oil, shake and wipe down the internal surfaces of the fridge with a cloth. Clean and fragrant in a flash!
- Oven and microwave. This tip is very simple: heat a small bowl of vinegar (or use the residual heat of the normal oven after cooking), leave the door closed for half an hour or more. In this time, the steam produced by the vinegar will help dissolve stubborn dirt inside the oven, and removing it with water and a little soap afterwards will be very easy.
- Blenders: to remove all food remnants and eliminate any odors, all you have to do is pour a glass of hot water, half a cup of vinegar and a drop of dish soap inside the blender. Then run the blender at high speed so that the mixture reaches all areas. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes after turning the blender off and then you can wash everything away easily.
These are just some of the reasons to stock up on white vinegar at home - and it's very cheap too!
