I am always looking for more frugal ways to clean. These tips are not only frugal, but avoid harmful chemicals. You will know exactly what you are using and not have to worry about harmful chemicals you may be inhaling or touching.
Did you know White vinegar is made from Corn? It’s distilled into corn alcohol then fermented with water and nutrients until the alcohol is depleted. It’s Natural, No Additives or Preservatives
These are just a few uses for white vinegar. If you have more uses for vinegar that you have tried, please add them in the comments below.
GENERAL CLEANING
Cleaning drains: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda in the drain, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Let sit 5 minutes then run hot water for 2 minutes. This mixture foams as it cleans and deodorizes the drain. I do this once a month to keep drains clean.
Clogged drains: Pour 1 cup baking soda in the drain, followed by 1 cup vinegar. Let settle and if not draining add more vinegar. This may take a few applications depending on the clog. Flush with HOT water once drain clears.
Scouring cleanser: Combine 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add just enough vinegar to give it a thick creamy texture.
Mildew on plastic shower curtains: Put the shower curtain in the washing machine with light-colored towels; add 1 cup white vinegar to the detergent and wash.
Soap scum on shower: Spray on vinegar, scrub and rinse.
Shower head deposits: Pour white vinegar into a plastic bag, tape to the shower head and leave overnight. Brush the shower head to remove remaining deposits.
Hardwood Floors: Add 1/4 cup vinegar to 4 L hot water. Use a damp mop or rag to wash floors. This will leave floors spotless. (use damp, not wet mop)
Vinyl floors: Add 1/4 cup vinegar to 4 L hot water for spotless floors.
Windows: Mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle. Spray glass surfaces and wipe dry.
Baby toys: Add some vinegar to soapy water when cleaning. This will disinfect them.
Sticky scissors: Wipe with a cloth dipped in vinegar.
Clean and deodorize mattress stains: Use a solution of 1 part vinegar and 1 part water. Then sprinkle the area with baking soda and let dry. Brush or vacuum the residue after it is dry.
GARDENING
Clean hummingbird feeder: use vinegar to clean feeder. Soaps and detergent can leave behind harmful residues.
Clean any garden pots, statues or bird feeders: Mix 1 part water to 1 part vinegar.
Kill Weeds: Full strength vinegar works especially well in walkways and crevices.
Ant Hills: Pour vinegar over ant hills to eliminate them.
Kill slugs: Spray them with a mixture of 1 part water and 1 part white distilled vinegar.
LAUNDRY
Softening laundry: Fill dispenser with 1/4 cup white vinegar to soften laundry without leaving odors.
Prevent lint from clinging: Add a ½ cu of vinegar to your wash cycle to prevent lint from sticking to clothes.
Stains & Odours:Spray full strength vinegar on clothing before tossing in washer.
Washer odours and soap build up: Run washer with 1 cup of vinegar only through a wash cycle.
PETS
Neutralize pet odors: Mix 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water. Pour on stained areas and blot until dry/damp; do not rub.
Kids sandbox, not a litter box: Discourage cats from using kid’s sandboxes by pouring vinegar into the sand and mix.
KITCHEN
Keep eggs from cracking when boiling: Add a tablespoon or two of vinegar to water.
Wash vegetables & fruit: Mix 1 Tbsp of vinegar with 1.5 L of water and soak produce.
Clean your oven: Sprinkle bottom of oven and door with baking soda. Dip a sponge in pure vinegar until soaked and use sponge to scrub oven. Just scrub enough to get the foaming action and cover the surface. Leave for 30 minutes and then wipe clean.
Clean your microwave: Place a microwave safe dish with 1 cup of vinegar in microwave and cook on high for 3 minutes. Open door to release steam, then wipe clean with a cloth.
Greasy dishes: Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar to liquid dish soap to boost its cleaning power.
Clean your dishwasher:Pour 1 cup of vinegar in an empty dishwasher and run through a cycle. Do this monthly to reduce smells and soap scum buildup.
Plastic containers: To remove stains and smells from plastic containers, soak paper towel in vinegar and place in container. Let sit 20 min and then wipe clean with paper towel. Rinse with water.
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Please feel free to add more uses for vinegar in the comments. I know there are many more uses, these are just a highlight of things I have tried.
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