Vinegar Uses for Cleaning
Vinegar is a powerful weapon in the housecleaning arsenal. The acetic acid in all types of vinegar kills mold, mildew, germs and bacteria, and cuts through grease, grime, soap scum and hard water deposits. Vinegar comes in an array of flavors and sizes. For household cleaning, ordinary distilled white vinegar is the most effective and least costly choice, and can be easily purchased in gallon-sized jugs to save money. Does this Spark an idea?
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Kitchen
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The average kitchen contains a wide variety of surfaces, all of which need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Disinfect cutting boards, butcher blocks and counter tops by wiping them with full strength vinegar. Add 2 to 3 tbsp. of vinegar to regular dishwater to cut thorough greasy residue and put the sparkle back in glassware. Clean stainless steel sinks and stove tops with a paste made from baking soda and vinegar- the combination creates a fizzing, foaming cleanser that loosens stubborn stains and sticky residue. Steam clean the microwave by placing a bowl containing ¼ cup vinegar and 1 cup water inside, and running the oven for five minutes on the highest setting. Once the bowl cools, a sponge dipped into the solution will easily wipe away any spills or splatters.
Bathroom
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Adding vinegar to the routine can make cleaning the bathroom a breeze. Use undiluted vinegar to remove heavy soap scum and hard water deposits from shower doors, tubs, tiles and sinks. Warm the vinegar slightly, then transfer it to a plastic spray bottle. Spray the soiled surface thoroughly, then let the solution sit for 10 minutes. Use a nylon scrub pad to remove the scum, reapplying the solution as needed. Remove hard water deposits from around drains by closing the drain and filling the area with full-strength vinegar. Let the fixture soak overnight, scrub with an abrasive pad, drain the vinegar, and rinse. Clean glass and mirrors with a solution made from equal measures of vinegar and water. Wet a paper towel with the solution, wash the mirror, then buff with a cloth to dry.
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Laundry
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Like death and taxes, there is no escape from laundry. Make the chore a bit easier by adding 1 cup of vinegar to the wash during the final rise to soften fabrics, kill bacteria, eliminate static, and remove lint from dark clothing. Restore yellowed clothing and brighten whites by soaking the garments overnight in a solution made from 1 cup of vinegar and 1 ½ quarts of water, then laundering as usual. Remove the soap scum from the washing machine by pouring 2 cups of vinegar into the soap dispenser, then running the machine through a complete wash cycle without any clothes or detergents. Remove wrinkles by misting clothing with a mixture of ¼ cup vinegar and ¾ cup water. Simply spray the fabric lightly, place the item on a hanger and let it air-dry.
Floors
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Floors are exposed to a never-ending flow of traffic. The dirt and debris tracked in by shoes, boots, sandals and bare feet can leave floors and carpets looking worn and dingy. Keep sealed wood, no-wax vinyl, and laminate floors clean by damp mopping with a solution made from ½ cup vinegar and 1 gallon of water. Revitalize dull carpets by brushing them with a push broom that has been dipped in a mixture of 1 cup vinegar and 1 gallon of water. The faded threads will instantly brighten, and the solution does not need to be rinsed as it will evaporate in a few hours time.
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References
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