Psssttt…..Did you know?
It’s spring!
And that means that it’s time to start cleaning out your inside and your outside. As I mentioned last week I’m so excited to be taking part in an exciting Spring Cleaning Carnival led by Kitchen Stewardship. This week the topic is “Get the Antibacterials Out” and I’m going to share a recent incident regarding the use of white vinegar in our home as a cleaning agent.
Without J knowing it, I have used white vinegar regularly to clean our washing machine. I think it does a great job, and I think it works wonders. I’ve also used it, along with lemons, to heat in the microwave to clean the microwave more easily. However, I was interested in expanding my use of white vinegar to counter-top and stove-top cleaning.
My vision was simple:
vinegar in spray bottle = my heavenly kitchen cleaner.
Image by MollyPop
In sum, I’m all about natural cleaners. But the other day I mentioned before going grocery shopping that we needed more vinegar so I could reach my cleaning agent dream vision. But J did not like it! His primary complaint – aside from the fact that he had absolutely never heard of white vinegar being used to clean this way – seemed to be that he thought it wouldn’t work.
Perhaps it’s a massive cultural difference (maybe South Americans think it’s crazy to use vinegar to clean?), but I was shocked to hear such a negative response to something I see as normal!
What do you think?
Do you use white vinegar to clean? If so, how? And if not, why not?
To read more about the spring cleaning efforts of others, make sure to check out Kitchen Stewardship’s blog today and join up in her linky!
Hi, I am from Colombia, in South America, and yes! we also clean with vinegar, we even use it as a treatment to our hair sometimes. It is very good!!! and inexpensive.
I’m not a huge fan of the smell. I heard that you can clean with vodka as a disinfectant, but have yet to try it. As of right now I’m using Seventh Generation/Method, but when those run out, I’ll figure out what works for me between vinegar and vodka.
.-= Lori Z.´s last blog ..Spring Reading Thing 2010 =-.
Ha! Vodka would be EXPENSIVE! LOL
The smell soon dissipates. White vinegar is a cheap, effective cleaner and it works just as well if you dilute it 50% with water. Let stubborn messes soak for a few minutes.
Ali, do you buy it in big containers? That’s my concern currently – is finding it cheap in bulk;)
I use vinegar/water mixture to clean glass and mirrors. It works well without streaking. I also run vinegar and water through my coffee pot to clean it. I run it through a few times, then run water through a few times.
.-= Lori´s last blog ..Kids Bowl Free This Summer! =-.
I use vinegar too for a lot of things…..I buy a 2 jug pack at Costco and use it for various things…..even spraying ants w/ it. I’ve been on a mission to use up all the cleaners I have….so as to not have wasted my money….as soon as all of those are gone, I’m going to strictly use vinegar. The box that I buy also has tips what you can use white vinegar for on each side……also, I do believe there is a website that has vinegar tips too! What a great way to save money and not use chemicals!
Oh and I agree….the smells disipates quickly
.-= Nina T.´s last blog ..Free Potty Training DVD =-.
Ants!
That works?!!!
I am from southern Louisina and I mop my floors with vinegar and water. I also keep a spray bottle with vinegar and water to spray pet urine on my porch.
Julia – what ratio of vinegar and water do you use to mop the floors?
I use vinegar to rinse my hair before shampooing, and I need less shampoo. I also use it to clean my floors, and clean my sink’s drain. It can also be used to clear drains,too.
I’m so glad you wrote about this! I started using vinegar diluted with water as a kitchen cleaner. I got the idea from “Jon and Kate Plus 8″ when Sara Snow visited them. My husband rolled his eyes at me when he found out what I was doing…but now sees my vision! He even uses it! I feel good knowing that I’m saving money and keeping my house free from harmful agents.
LOL! I love that was on Jon and Kate…;)
I use vinegar and water to dust my furniture and it does a good job.
Do you put it in a spray bottle, Kathy?
I don’t put it in a spray bottle but I quess you could. I mix it in my sink with water and wet a rag with it and ring the rag out good and dust all my furniture with it.
I use vinegar to rinse my hair before I wash it, I use less shampoo and it makes my hair feel nicer. It can also be used to clean sink drain so they don’t clog.
Oh wow Marsha – I DEFINITELY want to try that!
I also use it to clean toothbrushes and their cases. I soak them overnight and then pour the vinegar down the sink to freshen it, too.
Laurie – do you prefer that to boiling toothbrushes?
Yes, It’s much easier.
Wow
My mother introduced me to vinegar as a kid- we grew up with ceramic tile floors, and vinegar was the only cleaning agent that would clean, shine and not damage the tile/grout. Now I use vinegar not only to clean just about everything (my puppy licks bleach- he’s somewhat of a weirdo), but I add it to my laundry loads as well as clean the washer with it. It brightens and softens, for 1/4 of the price of name brands that suggest the same thing. Also, I’m a researcher by trade- and if we’re not cleaning our benches with alcohol, we use acetic acid (vinegar). I figure if we trust our work with vinegar’s antibacterial properties, my home is a safe bet too.
I haven’t been a fan of vinegar’s smell but I made some citrus vinegar and it’s much better. Love that stuff!
.-= Lenetta @ Nettacow´s last blog ..Daybook for March 23, 2010 =-.
I love vinegar! It’s inexpensive & it works great! I use one part white vinegar/one part clear (non-moisturizing) antibacterial liquid hand soap to make homemade dog shampoo. It’s so much cheaper than buying any other kind from the pet store & it makes her smell great. The vinegar also is a good flea deterrant.
I’m a big vinegar fan! I get a huge jug at Save-a-Lot for 2 bucks and use it all over the house. You can dilute it way less than 50/50 for an All-purpose, about 1/4 cup to the 32 oz spray bottle. “A glug” is my professional estimation. The most frugal way to use it is straight in place of Jet Dry in the dishwasher – it works PERfectly to get clear dishes!
Katie
I use it to clean my humidifier in the wintertime. I use it to clean my coffee maker and dilute it 50-50 and you can clkean mirrors, counter tops, stove tops and refrig.
Dilute the weak acid vinegar with water 50-50 as above and it is antibacterial i.e. kills germs, and cleans countertops, floors, sinks, add baking soda to drains for even better cleaning. Like the researcher, I also learned this in the lab – in my case, the chemistry lab at Johns Hopkins, and have been reading about it ever since. Alcohol can also be used to kill germs, hence you could use vodka in a pinch, but its more expensive.