How to Green Clean with Vinegar

Vinegar is an all-natural, non-toxic alternative to the alarming number of harmful, chemical cleaners that are available on the market today. The effect of long-term exposure to some of these toxic cleaners has become a matter of increasing concern. Vinegar, however, can be used to clean, disinfect and shine just as well as most commercial products.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Use Vinegar to Green Clean Your Living Areas

1. Make your own green multi-purpose cleaner by dissolving one cup household ammonia, one cup white vinegar and 1/2 cup baking soda in one gallon of water. Pour some into a spray bottle and use it to clean around the kitchen, especially in greasy areas. Use it to scrub the bathtub or shower. Rinse with warm water. Protect your hands with plastic gloves.

2. Wash the windows and mirrors with a solution of two tablespoons vinegar and two cups water.

3. Clean the carpet with a solution of two tablespoons of white vinegar, two tablespoons and a gallon of water. Pour some into a spray bottle and apply to spots in the carpet. Rinse by sponging off with water. Let dry.

4. Mop the hard surface floors with a solution of 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup liquid soap and two gallons of warm water.

5. Clean the ceiling fans, mini blinds and vent grills with undiluted vinegar to cut greasy grime.

Use Vinegar to Green Clean Your Kitchen

6. Scrub dirty surfaces with a scouring "powder" made from 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup baking soda. Leave this on for 30 minutes and then sponge it clean with plain water.

7. Clean the fridge with a solution of one cup vinegar and one cup water. Use undiluted vinegar for the bins.

8. Soak the plastic food containers and ice cube tray in hot soapy water with 1/4 cup of vinegar. Add 1/4 cup of vinegar to your dishwater to cut grease, get rid of lingering odors and add a sparkle.

9. Get rid of smelly cooking odors by adding vinegar to the pan while it is still hot, after you have removed the food. Rinse out burned-on food with vinegar, too.

10. Add 1/4 cup of vinegar to the dishwater to cut grease and add sparkle to your dishes.

Use Vinegar to Green Clean Your Bathroom

11. Wipe down shower curtains with vinegar to clean off mold, mildew and soap scum. Do the same to the shower doors to make them sparkle.

12. Pour two cups of full-strength vinegar inside the toilet bowl, using the toilet brush to work it around the sides and the rim. Leave this overnight and flush the toilet in the morning.

13. Get rid of built-up soap, grime and hard-water stains by sponging it off with full strength vinegar. Rinse off with clean water.

14. Soak paper towels in vinegar and wrap around the base of your fixtures, sink and toilet. Leave on for 30 minutes and then scrub away with an old brush. Shine faucets with a cloth dampened in vinegar.

15. Fill the shower-door tracks with full strength vinegar and let it soak overnight to get rid of the accumulated gunk. Rinse with hot water.

[dearlonda]

on 2/23/2009 Great tips! Thanks! 5*

[StoneBridgeFarm]

on 2/21/2009 I love this! Thanks!!!

[veryfaraway]

on 2/21/2009 Well written, I like all of the ideas, especially for the bathroom. *****Rec

[rjspindle]

on 2/21/2009 Nice article! I'm getting greener and greener every day. I'll have to try some of these out sometime. Love your style - keep up the good work. 5*rcmd