In an ever increasing world where DIY green solutions for cleaning products is demanded, we are always looking for new ways to clean our homes and offices without harsh and toxic chemicals. In this post, we are going to cover 10 easy ways you can use vinegar to clean surfaces most commonly found in homes and offices, but can be spread to a variety of applications.
By implementing these alternatives, you will allow yourself to stop using toxic cleaning agents which make your home hazardous; all while saving money and promoting a green environment within your home.
Let’s start off with the first one on the list…
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Remove Carpet Stains
When you stain any type of material, especially fabric, it is especially important to get it while it’s still wet and new. It’s still possible to get stains out later on after drying out, but it really is much easier to do it immediately after the spill.
First you need to blot (only blot nothing else) the area as much as possible. Once you do that, spray a mist of vinegar on the spot you want to treat, let it sit for 5-10 minutes (in this time, you can be cleaning other things with vinegar!). After 10 or so minutes go by, blot it up and watch the wonders it does.
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Deodorize and Clean Sink Drains
Instead of spending money on not-so-natural pellets to put down the garbage disposal (or drain in general), an organic solution can be found with some vinegar and baking soda.
This process is simple, here is how to do it step-by-step:
- Run hot water for 1 minute (as hot as possible)
- Dump about 1/2 a cup of baking soda and let it sit for 3-4 minutes
- Pour down 1 cup of vinegar down the drain; let this sit for 5-10 minutes
- Run hot water for 1 minute… again
This should do the trick, and if it was super bad to begin with; do this all again and you will be all good.
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Shine Up Chrome and Stainless Steel
This is an easy one, just spray some undiluted vinegar on the surface and then wipe it off with a soft cloth. Doing this will leave it looking like new and remove any dirt or scum from it.
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Clean That Microwave
We talked about cleaning microwaves with a lemon mixture before, but it can also be done with some vinegar you may have laying around. Mixing 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1 cup of water for about 5 minutes in the microwave will get everything inside smelling better and easier to wipe up. Anything left over inside the microwave can easily be cleaned up with a quick wipe of a rag.
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Refrigerator Refresher
Did you know that vinegar is probably even more effective than baking soda by itself in making your refrigerator smell fresh? Using a 1 to 1 mixture of vinegar and water and spraying it around the fridge to clean the walls and surfaces, you will keep your refrigerator smelling fresh and physically clean.
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Disinfect Cutting Boards
The acetic acid found in white vinegar is a powerful way to kill germs and clean your surfaces. Spraying and wiping your cutting boards with full strength vinegar will kill any nasty germs that may of been left behind.
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Refresh the Kitchen Air
The smell from yesterday’s fishy meal can be off-putting to say the least. Mixing 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water and letting it boil until almost entirely gone will refresh your air of those nasty smells.
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Dishwasher
Using vinegar to clean up your dishwasher is as easy as filling up your reservoir with vinegar (around 1/2 cup), and running an entire empty cycle.
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Moldy Walls
Spraying vinegar on to affected walls, letting it sit for 10-15 minutes, then wiping them clean and dry is a surefire way to clean up that surface mold on your bathroom walls.
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Showerheads
To fight the mineral deposits, pouring water into a plastic bag and securing it over your showerhead overnight will get rid of those mineral deposits leaving it like new. Be sure to rinse it off with water in the morning, it’s that easy!
Alternatively you can always take off the cap and soak it in a bowl of vinegar overnight if that is easier for you.
Conclusion
From your oven to microwave, there you have 10 epic ways to clean your home with vinegar. This all promotes your green cleaning habits around your home.
Want some more ways to clean your home with natural alternatives? Here are 7 ways to clean your home with lemons
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Author Bio:
Dustyn is the owner of CleaningZoom.com and is a huge believer in eco-friendly products and methods of cleaning and ways of life in general.
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