Vinegar is great for a salad dressing or sprinkling on your chips, but it can also be a really handy product to use around the house. This non-toxic and relatively eco friendly acid is a great option for cleaning a whole variety of items when used in the right way.
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| Did you know you can use vinegar to clean around the home? |
Why Vinegar Makes A Great Cleaning Product
The acidic properties of vinegar are great for breaking down mineral deposits, dirt and grease. It can even kill bacteria. Best still vinegar is really affordable: you can buy 5 litres of vinegar for around £5, although to really benefit from the eco-friendly credentials choose an ethical brand that makes the vinegar using environmentally friendly processes. This eco vinegar looks like a good option.
If you don’t like the smell then you can add a few drops of essential oil and make sure to rinse well with water after cleaning.
What Type Of Vinegar Should You Use For Cleaning
Vinegar is a liquid created from the fermentation of alcohol into a liquid containing acetic acid. It can be made from a wide range of products including wine and sugar and while any type can theoretically be used for cleaning the best option is distilled white vinegar. This clear vinegar has no colourings in so it won’t stain surfaces. It also has a higher level of acidity than many other types making it a more effective cleaner.
Words of caution
- When cleaning any surface for the first time with a new product use caution and test on an inconspicuous area first. Vinegar is not suitable for all surfaces and should not be used on stone, marble, granite, aluminium or copper. It can also damage the finish on wooden floors and furniture.
- Do not mix with bleach. The combination of vinegar and chlorine bleach products can release chlorine gas which is poisonous so never use the two together.
Great Ways To Use Vinegar for Cleaning At Home
1. All-Purpose Cleaner
Vinegar can be effective for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. For ease of application put in a spray bottle. You could use an empty cleaning product bottle (well washed out) or buy a great looking glass spray bottle.
2. Window Cleaner
Vinegar is a great option for cleaning windows and mirrors without leaving smears. It cuts through the grease and dirt leaving a sparkling shine. You can dilute the vinegar (2 parts vinegar to 1 part water) and put in a spray bottle for easier application. Make sure that the last wipe is with a dry cloth.
3. Laundry Cleaner
Vinegar can remove stains, brighten clothes, remove odours and as an added bonus it is also a natural fabric softener because it breaks down excess detergent which can leave clothes stiff. It is a great way to wash your towels and sheets to leave them soft and clean.
Don’t use with clothes containing elastic eg work out clothes as it can break down the elastic. It’s also best to use every few washes rather than every time.
4. Rinse Aid
If you run out of rinse aid you can use some diluted vinegar in your dishwasher. It’s not ideal for long term use as it can break down the rubber in hoses and seals, but for a few washes it will be fine. Make sure you don’t have salt left on your dishes as it can cause discolouration when it reacts with vinegar. Place a small amount of vinegar in a bowl in the rack of your dishwasher rather than in the rinse aid compartment.
5. Limescale Remover
Vinegar is a great way to break down limescale so it is a good option for taps, shower heads and other surfaces where limescale can build up. Leave a cloth soaked in vinegar on the limescale for a few minutes before wiping away. Heavy limescale may require a few attempts to remove it all.
6. Stain Remover
Vinegar can be a useful product to remove stains from clothes before washing. You can either use it for a spot treatment or leave clothes to soak for a short period as a pre-treatment. As mentioned above, don’t use on clothes with elastic or elastane mixes other than as a last resort.
7. Carpet Cleaner
Use a mix of half water and half vinegar to spray on to carpet stains as soon as you can. Push (rather than rub) towels or dry cloths to absorb as much of the stain as possible if it is wet. Then mist the area and let it soak in for about 10 minutes before using a clean towel to dab the vinegar up.
Vinegar works best with manmade fibres, rather than wool which can get damaged more easily.
8. Mould and Mildew Remover
Vinegar can effectively kill and remove small patches of mould and mildew around the house. Use undiluted distilled vinegar and spray it on the effected area, leave for around an hour before cleaning and then let it completely dry. As a precaution when cleaning mould you should wear gloves, a face mask and have the area well ventilated. You might also find this post useful for ways to treat and remove mould.
9. Remove sticky glue remains
There are lots of effective ways to remove traces of glue and sticky labels from plastic and glass and one of those is vinegar. Try and scrape off as much of the glue remains as you can first then apply a mix of vinegar and water to the area. Leave for a few minutes before trying to scrub or scrape away the residue.
10. Pest deterrent
Don’t like the smell of vinegar? You aren’t alone. Many pests including ants, spiders and rats hate the smell too and it can put them off coming into your property making it an option as a pest deterrent. Due to the low pH level (around 2.5) it can also kill insects on contact.
11. Paintbrush cleaner
Paintbrushes can be soaked in vinegar to remove many types of paint. The vinegar softens the paint making it easier to remove. Of course this also means it can remove the paint from many surfaces too, so take caution when using vinegar for cleaning.
Do you have any useful cleaning tips with vinegar? Leave a comment if you want to share.
