Many people want to avoid using cleaning products that contain toxic and abrasive substances that are dangerous to health. Distilled white vinegar, used alone or mixed with other natural ingredients, is an effective substitute for most of the detergents that can be found on the market. Create a liquid solution to clean smooth surfaces, such as countertops or kitchen tables, appliances, glass and tiles. When you need a mildly abrasive cleanser, you can opt for a pasty or grainy texture. With vinegar, you can even create a special wax to use for polishing wooden or metal surfaces in the house.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Create a Liquid Cleaner
Step 1. Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle
Use distilled white vinegar and, if possible, mineral, filtered, or distilled water. If you don't have it available, the tap one can be fine. Pour the two liquids into an empty spray bottle, screw the cap with the diffuser and shake it briefly to mix the contents.
- Spray the cleaner on the kitchen or bathroom surfaces. You can use it to clean the countertop, stove and kitchen tiles, but also to wash sanitary ware and tiles, it is effective on practically all smooth surfaces. Spray it where you need it and use a sponge to remove the dirt.
- This water and vinegar-based cleaner is also effective in removing sticky encrustations and soap or limescale residues.
Step 2. Add the sanitizing power of lemon juice
Mix one part lemon juice, one part vinegar, and two parts water in a spray bottle. Screw the lid with the diffuser and shake the container briefly to mix the ingredients. Spray the cleaner on the smooth surfaces that you want to disinfect, for example in the kitchen and bathroom: this way you will be able to eliminate up to 99% of bacteria. It is a perfect formula for sanitizing the home.
Step 3. Add a few drops of dish soap to remove stubborn stains from carpets
If you can't get your carpets to be perfectly clean with just water and vinegar, add a teaspoon of mild dish soap to the spray bottle. Shake it briefly and then spray the enhanced cleaner directly on the stains you couldn't remove. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, then gently blot the carpet with a clean sponge or rag.
Step 4. Remove stubborn dirt and stains with pure vinegar
To remove soap or limescale deposits, do not add water: pour only the distilled white vinegar directly into the spray bottle. Screw the cap back on with the diffuser and spray the vinegar on the encrusted areas, then scrub it with a sponge or toothbrush and then rinse.
- Use pure vinegar to remove limescale deposits and soap residue from the shower walls. To clean the toilet, pour pure vinegar directly into the toilet.
- Pure vinegar is also great for disinfecting kitchen cutting boards.
Step 5. Pour the water and vinegar into a bowl and use them to clean the oven and microwave
Mix the two liquids in equal parts and pour them into a heat-resistant bowl. Put the boule in the microwave or conventional oven. Either way, heat the solution just enough to bring it to a boil. Wait until it has cooled down slightly before opening the door.
This method eliminates bad smells and dissolves food residues stuck to the oven walls. At this point, a simple wipe with a sponge should be enough to remove them
Step 6. Make a mixture of vinegar, denatured alcohol and water to clean the glass surfaces
Dose 120 ml of denatured alcohol (the pink one, so to speak), 120 ml of water and a tablespoon of distilled white vinegar, then pour them into a spray bottle. You can use this cleaner on glass, mirrors, ceramic tiles and chrome surfaces; spray it where you need it and then wipe the dirt off with a microfiber cloth.
- The treated surfaces will be bright, as well as clean.
- If you want, you can add 1-2 drops of orange essential oil to make them pleasantly scented too.
Method 2 of 3: Create a Pasty or Grainy Cleaner
Step 1. Mix equal parts vinegar, salt and borax to remove stains from carpets
If you need to clean heavily soiled fabrics or carpets, pour vinegar, salt, and borax in equal proportions into a large bowl. Mix until a smooth paste is formed, then apply it directly to the stains. Let the mixture sit for several minutes before scrubbing with a clean rag. Finally, rinse well.
Step 2. Clear clogged drains with vinegar and baking soda
Bicarbonate is moderately abrasive. Combined with vinegar, which contains acetic acid, it becomes a rather effective remedy for clearing blocked pipes. Pour 60 g of baking soda down the drain, followed by 60 ml of distilled white vinegar. Upon coming into contact, the two substances will react and an effervescent foam will form. When the effect has subsided, pour hot or boiling water down the drain.
Step 3. Clean the brass with a grainy mixture made from vinegar and table salt
Dip a sponge in distilled white vinegar, then squeeze it to get rid of the excess. At this point, evenly sprinkle one side of the sponge with salt, and use it to gently scrub the brass surfaces. When finished, rinse the item with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth.
Step 4. Clean the metal surfaces with a mixture of vinegar, salt and fluoride
Use it to make silver, pewter, copper or brass items shiny and clean. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in 120ml of vinegar, then add 30g of florine and mix until you get a paste. Once ready, apply it to metal surfaces and let it act for 15 minutes. Finally rinse with warm water and polish the objects with a clean cloth.
Method 3 of 3: Create a Polishing Wax
Step 1. Mix equal parts oil and vinegar to create a wax with which to polish your furniture
Measure out the olive oil and distilled white vinegar, then pour them both into a large bowl or jar. Stir until well blended. Run a quick test test on a hidden area of the wooden cabinet before applying the wax over the entire surface. If you don't notice any negative reactions, moisten a soft cloth with wax and use it to scrub and polish the cabinet. By making slow and circular movements you will guarantee maximum shine.
- Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off excess oil from the cabinet surface.
- This wax is suitable for wooden furniture. For example, you could use it to polish your desk, chest of drawers or living room table. It is also excellent for making circular marks left by glasses disappear.
Step 2. You can also mix vinegar and oil to remove stains from stainless steel
Pour a tablespoon of olive oil over half of a sponge or soft cloth. Rub it on the steel surface to remove stains, then moisten the other half with distilled white vinegar and use it to remove oil and polish the metal.
Step 3. Create an olive oil, vinegar and water based wax to polish wood paneling
Mix 250ml of hot water with 60ml of distilled white vinegar and 60ml of olive oil. Apply the wax to the wooden walls using a soft, clean cloth. Gently scrub, then wipe off the excess with a second soft, clean cloth. It is an excellent solution for cleaning and polishing wooden panels at the same time.
