See how to make a vinegar cleaner, and when to use it. These 7 vinegar cleaning hacks are environmentally friendly, and will save you money!
You don’t have to wait until springtime to get into the mood of cleaning. With our 7 cleaning hacks that use vinegar, you’ll keep a spring-clean home all year long. Not to mention, it will cost you a fraction of what you’ve been spending on store-bought products.
The Cleaning Power of Vinegar
When most people hear vinegar, they think of the bottle they have stored in their pantry that’s typically used in a recipe or two. However, vinegar’s double-action abilities pack a powerful punch for helping clean and disinfect your home at the same time.
It’s considered the best multi-purpose cleaner ever because it is eco-friendly and nontoxic. It’s made from acetic acid, making it a powerful dissolver of mineral deposits, grease, grime, and dirt. While there are several different types of vinegar, the best to use for cleaning is white distilled vinegar. It is colorless, meaning no stains, and has a 5% acidity level.
Household Cleaner Recipes Using Vinegar
Before diving into these vinegar cleaning hacks, we want to make sure you’re armed with your own stash of all-purpose, vinegar-based cleaners. All you need are just a few ingredients and supplies, and you’ll be on your way to a sparkly clean home.
Scented All-Purpose Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup white vinegar
- Essential oil of choice (or use peels from your favorite fruit)
Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a glass mason jar, shake, and let diffuse for 1 week. Pour into a spray bottle of your choice, and start cleaning. (Do not use on granite, it will etch the stone.)
Glass Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- ⅛ cup rubbing alcohol (70% concentration)
- 2 drops essential oil of choice (for smell)
Directions: Combine ingredients into a spray bottle of your choice. Use a microfiber cloth for wiping to prevent streaks.
Great Essential Oils to Scent Your Cleaner
Cleaning Hacks that Use Vinegar
Are you tired of hard water build-up? Looking for a way to restore your dishwasher? How does a full-pressure shower sound? Keep reading to discover seven areas around your home that vinegar will help you restore to tip-top shape.
Remove humidifier build-up
Over time, humidifiers become the home to microbes and mold. Keep yours clean by pouring a cup of white vinegar into the water tank and swishing around until it’s all wet. Allow it to drain into the reservoir for about 15 minutes. Empty and then use a small brush to remove the remaining build-up. Rinse and continue using it as usual.
Restore your dishwasher
Excess food and grime can find their way into cracks and crevices of even the best dishwasher on the market. To keep yours from developing an odor and food build-up, get in the habit of using your all-purpose vinegar cleaner between each use. Don’t forget to check under the bottom rack for leftover food.
Keep your toilet sparkly fresh
Using your homemade vinegar-based cleaner, spray in and around your toilet boil. Let it sit for about five minutes. Then, use a bristle brush to clean the bowl, and use a cloth to wipe down the toilet seat and handle parts. You’ll have a germ-free (and shiny) toilet!
Phone and gadget sanitizer
Your cell phone and other gadgets, such as the remote control, can have more germs than a toilet seat. Use your vinegar and alcohol-based (window) cleaner to keep your phone and other gadgets germ-free and smelling good.
Descale your coffee maker
The coffee maker is another appliance that tends to increase in caked-on minerals after long use. Get rid of this and more with a half vinegar, half water mixture. Brew it halfway, then let it sit for about 30 minutes. Continue the cleaning process by completing the cycle. Brew a pot of clean water to make sure the cleaning mixture is completely cleared out.
Shower pressure restored
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a plastic bag. Tie the bag around the showerhead, making sure it’s immersed in the solution. Let it soak for at least an hour (the longer, the better). Remove the bag, wipe off the showerhead, and give it a run to test the pressure.
Unclog a slow drain
If you notice that draining has slowed a bit in your sink or tub, first, pour ½ cup of baking soda down it. Follow up with a ½ cup of vinegar. Enjoy the mini science project as those two ingredients create a fizzy experience. What about ten minutes and flush with hot water.
Without a doubt, vinegar is one product that you should always keep in your pantry, and not just for cooking. Consider replacing your store-bought products that are most likely chemical-based with your stash of all-purpose, vinegar-based cleaners. You’ll be glad you did!
Michelle is a freelance writer, blogger, and author of several Amazon best-selling nonfiction books. Her work has appeared on sites such as Yes I Can Help You, JustinaFord, Mom For All Seasons, Christian Marriage Adventures, and Proverbs 31 Mentor. She has worked side-by-side with well-known business women such as Wendi Schenkel, Carla Du Pont and Dr. Radisha Brown. It is Michelle’s desire to make your words become a reality through her gift of writing. You can share her passion on her blog, The Healing Life, and acquire information about working with her at Michelle Huddleston Services.
Last update on 2023-12-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API