Cleaning-With-Vinegar
Antibacterial Properties of Vinegar

Non-toxic, powerful cleaning-with-vinegar concoctions for a multitude of everyday household chores using store-bought distilled-vinegar are so popular.

If you're not using vinegar to clean, you are missing out on one great basic everyday common household staple you could put to good use.

Vinegar in itself has been around for thousands of years.

The white-vinegar, or distilled-vinegar has a wide range of uses, covering cooking, medicinal and cleaning functions.

Just like sodium bicarbonate, vinegar is thought to have antibacterial properties, in that it may be capable of fighting fungal infections.

There have been lab trials that indicate that possibly a small amount of vinegar consumed has the ability to make a person feel full, and so as a result, they won't eat as much at a sitting.

There have been quite a number of trials and tests done over the years around the world regarding the medicinal benefits of vinegar, but there are few verified results that are safe or effective and yet don't produce side-effects or health risks.

Vinegars sold for medicinal purposes are not regulated.

Different kinds of vinegars out there vary so much in too many respects. In fact, any long-term ingestion of vinegar can lead to serious health issues. And so, I certainly do not advocate swallowing any, nor will that be addressed here.

cleaning windows with vinegar

Because of it's high acidity, cleaning-with-vinegar can be a great thing because it can literally dissolve away any kind of mineral deposits.

Vinegar is usually mixed with water. The percentage of acidity is controlled, because in some parts of the world, the sale of vinegar is conditional as long as the acidity has been reduced.

The kind most of us buy while grocery shopping is usually at 5% acidity level or less. It's cheap to buy, non-toxic to the environment, and just does a good job of making things clean and shiny. It has a smell, but that goes away fairly quickly when cleaning-with-vinegar.

Anything over 10% is considered highly corrosive and can do damage to skin. These liquids are usually sold as herbicides.

Another one of the many wonders of vinegar.

So, roll up your sleeves, and take advantage of these cleaning-with-vinegar recipes.

All-Purpose For Countertops, Windows, Mirrors, and Floors

2 cups distilled-vinegar
2 cups water

Optional - 2- drops essential oils for fragrance

1 tsp. borax
1/2 tsp. washing soda
2 tblsp. vinegar
1/2 tsp. liquid soap
2 cups hot water

Mix and put into a jar. Shake well.
Top up with water as you use it. A few
drops of scent or pine oil can be used.

No Wax Floors

1 cup of vinegar per gallon of warm water
makes a very shiny surface.

Furniture Polish

1 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup vinegar

Mix for cleaning and shining furniture made of wood

Hair Conditioner

Warm water with a good splash of vinegar will
make your hair soft and shiny. My mother used to
rinse our hair like this when we were kids.

Cleaning-With-Vinegar For Cutting Boards and Sinks

Half and Half solution of vinegar and water will clean and deodorize.

Cleaning Coffee or Tea Stains

Clean with a mixture of vinegar and salt.

Cleaning Your Coffee Machine

Run a pot of water through your coffee machine
containing 1/2 cup vinegar to get rid of old
smell, and build-up.

Streakless Window Cleaner

1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tblsp. cornstarch
1 quart warm water

Apply as a spray or from a sponge.
Wipe with crumpled up newspaper to prevent lint.
Dry with a rag.

1/2 cup white vinegar
2/3 gallon water

Mix in gallon container, and add to your spray
bottle as needed.

Window Cleaning Tip - Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside, and horizontal strokes when doing the inside. This way, you can tell which side has the streaks.

Cleaning-With-Vinegar For Carpet Stains

2 tblsp. salt dissolved in 1/2 cup distilled vinegar.
Rub in, let dry and vacuum.
Add tblsp. borax if stain is from a dark liquid and big.

TIP - PESTICIDES ARE TRACKED IN FROM PEOPLE WHO WALK ON TREATED LAWNS. 98% OF LEAD DUST FOUND INDOORS IS TRACKED IN FROM THE OUTDOORS ALSO. IT IS IMPORTANT TO ASK PEOPLE TO REMOVE THEIR SHOES AT THE DOOR.

Cleaning Panelled Walls

1 pint warm water
4 tblsp. vinegar
2 tblsp. olive oil

This will restore some life. Let it soak in, and
wipe down with a dry cloth.

Dishwasher Rinse

Put White vinegar in rinse compartment.

Cleaning Pewter, Brass, Silver, Copper

Dissolve 1 tsp. salt in one cup of vinegar.
Make a paste by adding a bit of flour.
Apply, wait 15 minutes, and rinse with warm water.
Polish with a soft cloth.

Hard Water Scum on Bath Fixtures

Scour and rinse with equal parts vinegar and warm
water.

Non-Toxic Bathroom Cleaner

2 tblsp. white vinegar
1 2/3 cup baking soda
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup liquid soap

Stir well to dissolve any chunks. Put into a spray bottle for future use.

Using a toothbrush, dip into vinegar and scrub faucets, dirt and stain on grouted areas.

Shower Stalls

1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
1 gallon warm water

Wipe down walls and door after your shower.

If you throw meat packages or raw fish parts into your garbage cans, you've probably gotten an awful surprise the next day. There are non-toxic ways to get rid of maggots that will appear inside literally within hours if you don't bag this garbage individually, or have a bag in the container at all.

Empty the can completely, and wash down with boiling water, inside and out.

Take 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water and scrub the can inside and out.

Clean weekly, keep well rinsed, place the can in full sun to dry well (bugs like moist damp places) and make sure the can has a lid so as not to attract flies and their eggs.

Cleaning-with-vinegar, and/or sprinkling bay leaves around helps to repel flies as well.

Tip - Have 2 spray bottles on hand. One with straight vinegar and the other mixed half and half with water.

A bowl of white-vinegar in a room, will get rid of odors.

If you have ants, spray where they are showing up. This should keep them away. This could be on your kitchen counter, in a doorway, or in a window. If you are cleaning-with-vinegar to wash these surfaces, it should be very helpful.

Soak an item with vinegar to remove glue or sticky substances.

Rubbing your hands with vinegar will remove strong smells like garlic, or stains from fruit juices.

Uses For Your Pets

Clean your dogs' ears with weak water and vinegar solution to deter him from scratching.

Spray vinegar on areas you want your animals to stay away from.

Dilute vinegar half and half with water to rid your pet of an odor. Rub well through their fur.

Laundry Room Tips and Recipes for cleaning-with-vinegar

Wipe your iron with a mix of salt and vinegar to remove any scorch marks.

Add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the final rinse or in the softener area of the washing machine. This brightens up the whites.

Combine 6 cups of water, 3 1/2 cups vinegar, and 1 cup of hair conditioner to make your own instant fabric softener. Use 1 cap-ful in your rinse water.

Add 1 cup of vinegar to your wash to decrease lint buildup.

To keep colors from running, soak in vinegar first.

Do your clothes smell like smoke? Hang clothing in a room that has a tubful of water with one cup of vinegar added.

To remove any soap residue from your washer, run your machine on empty (with no laundry inside) and add one cup of vinegar to the water.

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