As many of us know already, there are many uses of vinegar. Besides the fact that vinegar is used for cooking, it is also a great cleaning agent. The distilled white vinegar is the most common kind we have in our homes. But, there are a few more types like – Apple Cider vinegar, cane vinegar and balsamic vinegar, to name a few.
Distilled white vinegar is the most used and it is because it is also great in terms of removing all the unwanted stuff you see around your home, especially in your kitchen and bathroom. In these times, white distilled vinegar and apple cider vinegar are embraced by many homemakers as part of their household cleaners. These types of vinegar does not only effectively remove unwanted limescale but also kills most type of bacteria and germs. Apple Cider vinegar may not suitable for certain surfaces, but, it is still as effective as distilled white vinegar. Some uses these types of vinegar as an economical and environment friendly disinfectant at home.
Vinegar (along with baking soda and lemon) are great for cleaning and bleaching purposes.
Here are some amazing examples of the many uses of vinegar. Hoping this help you discover and consider to use distilled white vinegar as an alternative for the commercialized products we all have been using for years.
Uses of Vinegar
In the kitchen
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- In cleaning your kitchen sink fixtures that have limescale build up, mix a teaspoon of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of salt. Add just a pinch of flour and mix until you get a paste-like mixture. Using a small brush or scrubber, allow the paste to stand for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse with water and wipe using a dry cloth.
- Vinegar, as an all-natural household cleaner also has the amazing ability to combat hard water stains, acting as a water softener to some degree.
- Problematic of slow or clogged drains? Pour in half a cup of baking soda into the drain then, pour a cup of white vinegar. Once the reaction (fizzing) stopped, pour hot water to flush. With this method, you have also disinfected and deodorized the drain.
- If you can already sense foul odors from your dishwasher, it is time for a thorough cleaning. Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container on the rack of your machine and run through a hot water cycle. Rinse by sprinkling baking soda at the bottom of the dishwasher and run another short hot water cycle. Say goodbye to grease, grime and foul odors that easy.
- If your drinking glasses look cloudy, spray the inside with an equal amount of water and white vinegar, then wipe out using a cloth or paper towel.
In the bedroom
- Vinegar can be used in cleaning and getting rid of stains from your mattresses. Depending on the mattress stain, a mixture of vinegar and baking soda or of hydrogen peroxide will make your mattresses spotless. Of course, you may need to ready your vacuum cleaner as well.
All you got to do is put some vinegar in a spray bottle and locate stained spots on your mattress. Once you found the stains, spray the vinegar on them one at a time and make sure to leave the spots really moist. Add just enough baking soda and let it fizz. When dry, vacuum it up. You did not just remove the stain but also killed off possible bed mites deep within. If you are concerned about serious bed bug problems, you may want to contact experts like those found at https://www.
- I have personally tried another technique, which is of hydrogen peroxide for blood stains. I sprayed hydrogen peroxide on the stain and then wiped it off with a vinegar damp cloth after few minutes. this worked wonders for me, I must say.
- Every two weeks, when you are ready to wash your bedding and mattress covers, use vinegar to clean them. In a basin or the sink filled with hot water, soak them in 1 cup of vinegar and 1 tablespoon of dish-washing liquid for at least 30 minutes. Transfer them to your washing machine and add half a cup of baking soda and run a full cycle. The sheets will sure come out clean and soft.
- After cleaning your oven, soak a piece of sponge into half a cup of white distilled vinegar. Use the sponge to wipe the inside of the oven as the final rinse. Leave the oven door open so it would air dry. Once dry, you can use your oven right away as vinegar is Eco-friendly.
In the bathroom / closet
- If you wanted to safely remove sticker residue, labels and tags without damaging your clothing, white vinegar is what you need. Soak the tag in white vinegar for few hours and gently brush or peel off without hassle.
- In cleaning your tub and shower, mix equal amounts of hot white vinegar and Dawn soap in a spray bottle and gently shake to mix. Once mixed, ensure proper room ventilation and then spray enough amount around your tub and shower. Let it sit for minimum of 30 minutes, scrub and rinse.
- Vinegar can also be used to disinfect doorknobs and other stuff around the house. Mix a cup of water, 1/4 c of vinegar, and 10 drops of the essential oil of your choice in a spray bottle. Spray and use a cloth or rag to wipe it dry.Use vinegar to wet a rag and cover an old spatula in cleaning out air vents.
- Mix up equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and use it to clean your bath mirrors. Easy and shiny!
As we have discovered the amazing uses of vinegar, remember that not all vinegar are created equal. So, before starting to use vinegar as an alternative cleanser and disinfectant for your stuff at home, make sure it is not the ones mixed with spices. Use only white distilled vinegar at home for cleaning, to get the full and beneficial effects of it. There’s still a lot of uses of vinegar for cleaning and disinfecting, some can be found in Pinterest, and I am sure you could add up a few in this list too.