Studies have shown that vinegar is more effective in reducing microbial contamination than other alternative cleaners making it a great natural disinfectant. During the cold season, I constantly wipe down telephones, door knobs, light switches, faucet handles and more with a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar. As I hate using chemicals in my home I like that vinegar is all natural and at about 5 cents an ounce it’s extremely cost-effective for home cleaning. However, vinegar is great for more than just disinfecting. Here’s a list of other home cleaning problems you can solve with vinegar.
1. Remove Mould And Mildew;
Vinegar is great for use in and around the shower, bathtub or sink to remove mould and mildew. Spray with plain white vinegar and leave for an hour before scrubbing away with warm water and a scrub brush.
2. Toilet Cleaner;
Add a cup of white vinegar into your toilet tank to help sanitize your toilet and keep water stains at bay every time you flush. Top up vinegar every week or so depending on how often your toilet gets used.
3. Clean And Disinfect Refrigerator;
This is a great natural way to keep your fridge clean and if you’re like me, you don’t like using chemicals near your food. Wipe down the shelves and walls of your refrigerator with a mixture of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water to remove any spills and disinfect.
4. Clean Dishwasher And Coffee Maker;
Pour about a cup of white vinegar into your empty coffee pot or dishwasher and run it through a cycle to help disinfect and reduce scale or soap buildup.
5. Clean Coffee Cups And Mugs;
Soak your mugs and coffee or tea cups in a mixture of 1/2 vinegar, and 1/2 water until the coffee or tea stains are gone. Rinse well.
6. Remove Stains And Odours From Plastic Containers;
Coat the inside of plastic containers with a mixture of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water and let sit for 20-30 minutes before rinsing well. This also works great to battle urine and litter odours on plastic cat litter boxes. Just pour about a 1/2″ of white vinegar into the empty tray and let it soak for about 20 -30 minutes. Rinse well with water.
7. Microwave Cleaner;
Boil a small glass bowl filled with equal parts water and vinegar on high for about 5 minutes. The steam will help loosen any stuck-on food residue or buildup that will now easily wipe away with a wet cloth.
8. Rinse Fruits And Vegetables;
Add a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar to a litre/quart of water and wash your fruits and vegetables and then rinse with cold water. This will remove more dirt and pesticides than using just plain water.
9. Clean Cutting Boards;
To clean and disinfect your cutting board surfaces, wipe them down with straight vinegar, let them sit for a few minutes and then rinse well with water.
10. Erase Crayon Marks;
This is a great natural way to remove those stubborn crayon marks your kids might make on walls or floors while playing. Just rub the mark with a clean white cloth or toothbrush soaked in a small amount of vinegar. It helps break down the wax making the mark easy to remove.
These are just a few of my fav home cleaning problems you can solve with vinegar. That being said, while it’s a great disinfectant, I haven’t always found it to be the most effective cleaner so if it’s dirt or grime that you want to get rid of I suggest using other homemade cleaners (which I will get to in another post) first and finishing with a vinegar rinse to disinfect (not for granite or marble surfaces). I know there are many more so I’d love to hear what some of yours are in the comments below.
Please Leave A Comment
If you like this post I would be so grateful if you left a comment! Comments help other people find my posts so they can enjoy them too. Thanks! I appreciate your support!
Please check out my post on 10 Food Preps To Do When You Get Home From The Grocery Store.
