How to Use Vinegar for Household Cleaning

One stroll down the cleaning aisle of your local supermarket tells it all: going "green" is the thing to do. Instead of purchasing five different new eco-friendly products to clean your house, take a tip from grandma: use white vinegar for the majority of your household cleaning tasks. This all-natural product (made from distilled grapes) will take the place of many products you currently use, and is friendly to the earth, too.

Things You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Spray bottle (1 quart)
• Lint-free cloth
• Newspapers
• Bucket
• Sponge
• Mop

Instructions

Diluted

1. Pour 1 cup vinegar into a spray bottle; fill with water.

2. Spray the vinegar mixture on windows and mirrors, then wipe with a lint free cloth. Polish with crumpled newspapers.

3. Mist on to appliances and wipe clean with a sponge.

4. Pour the remaining mixture into a bucket.

5. Clean no-wax vinyl or ceramic floors, using a mop. Allow to air dry.

Full Strength

1. Pour one cup vinegar into the bottom of your dishwasher.

2. Run the dishwasher through an entire cycle to remove mineral deposits and deodorize.

3. Dampen a sponge with straight vinegar; wipe down walls to remove nicotine stains or crayon marks.

4. Add 1 cup vinegar to your washing machine rinse cycle to deodorize your laundry.

Tips & Warnings

• Use vinegar to clean pet stains; it will also deodorize and discourage the pet from making future messes.