Using Vinegar to Clean Without Chemicals

Using vinegar to clean is an age-old trick. However, Alexis as Chemistry Cachet reminds us, not all surfaces are suitable for this powerful cleaning solution. Before you embark on a project involving cleaning vinegar, remember these tips. 1) Don’t use cleaning vinegar on marble, stone or unsealed grout, as it will eat away at the surfaces. 2) Be careful when using vinegar on wood as the acidity can damage wax coatings. 3) Finally, if you’re using a spray bottle like the one shown above, make sure it didn’t previously hold a hydrogen peroxide solution. Combining the two can be highly toxic. Get tutorial here

Making the Best Vinegar Cleaning Solution

Cleaning is only half the battle when you use vinegar. As powerful as its cleaning credentials are, its odor is just as potent. A top tip for making the best vinegar cleaning solution is to infuse citrus scents. Orange is a common ingredient, but Stockpiling Moms found that lemon is a great alternative. As you can see, all she needed was a 16oz canning jar, some lemon peel and enough vinegar to completely submerge the peel. This final point is crucial because you’ll be leaving the solution to infuse for a week. Any uncovered sections will go moldy, so fill each jar to the brim.  Get tutorial here

Get an Ultra Clean Carpet with Vinegar

It’s definitely possible to get an ultra-clean carpet with vinegar, but only if you have the right type of stain…During her trials with various non-commercial cleaners, Hometalker Angela found that vinegar worked best on grease. Although it will shift small amounts of dirt, the solution you can see above was perfect for removing oil-based stains. The trick to making your own vinegar cleaning solution for carpets is balance. One part vinegar to four parts water is a good starting point. For carpets laden with dirt, try laundry detergent. Between this and cleaning vinegar, you’ll be able to tackle all carpet disasters. Get tutorial here

Oil and Vinegar to Clean Wood? Yep!

Cleaning wood floors with vinegar is a delicate process. However, as long as you find the right solution, the results are impressive. Before you slosh vinegar on a dusty wooden floor, check to see if it has a layer of sealer. According to Hometalker Sherrie, many modern wood floors have a sealer for protection. Vinegar will damage this, so make sure you use a weak solution if you’re attempting this technique. A handy tip is to combine oil and vinegar. As you can see above, the difference between shelves in this project by Eliesa shows how a subtle blend of the two restores shine and removes water stains.  Get tutorial here

An Easy Way to Instant Sparkle: Cleaning Windows with Vinegar

For windows that are as clear as your conscience, this eco-friendly cleaning trick from Ravi Shankar is perfect. Instead of reaching for a commercial cleaner, try one part vinegar to one part warm water. With this solution, you have the option to wipe clean or, as Shankar’s project demonstrates, use a squeegee. A squeegee allows you to keep a flow of cleaning solution as you wipe which, in turn, eliminates streaks. A top tip is to clean and dry when there’s no direct sunlight on the window. For even better results, pouring cleaning vinegar on your windowsills will ensure every aspect of your window sparkles.  Get tutorial here

A Simple Trick to Achieve a Clean Oven with Vinegar

The trick to achieving a clean oven with vinegar is to eliminate odors and grease. Using the acidic compounds in vinegar to cut through baked-on grease is great but leaving your oven with the faint smell of the cleaner can taint your next meal. To avoid this and leave your oven gleaming, Shawna Bailey recommends soaking orange peel in vinegar for five days. Once the natural oils of the orange have infused with the vinegar, sprinkle baking soda in your oven, spray with the solution and wait 20 minutes. As you can see, the end result is a gleaming oven that smells fantastic. Get tutorial here

The Hottest Way to Get a Clean Microwave with Vinegar

The beauty of cleaning with vinegar is that it cuts through grease and disinfects. How many times have you spent upwards of 30 minutes trying to scrub and scrape stubborn marks from the inside of your microwave? The reason you’re struggling is that water simply moistens the dirt. Using this vinegar cleaning solution from Christina Falcon, you’ll actively break down the dirt. Mixing ¼ cup of distilled white vinegar with one cup of water, she poured the solution in a measuring jug (see above). Finally, she set the timer until the solution was just about to boil, removed the jug and wiped clean. Get tutorial here

A Hot Tip for Cleaning a Coffee Maker with Vinegar

If you’re new to DIY cleaning, there’s nothing wrong with using a pre-made cleaning vinegar, according to The Seasoned Home Maker. In her quest for better results, she found this neat little product from Heinz. Taking the bottle shown above, she found the best measurement for cleaning stainless steel was one tablespoon of cleaning vinegar. This, in her opinion, was perfect for stainless steel. Taking this, cleaning a coffee maker is a breeze. One point to note, especially if you’re cleaning a Keurig with vinegar, is to rinse the filter with water before you use it. This will flush out any taste of vinegar. Get tutorial here

The Best Way to Get a Clean Dishwasher with Vinegar

What use is a dishwasher if it doesn’t leave your dishes squeaky clean? To help ensure streak-free results, check out this tip on how to get a clean dishwasher using vinegar…Using nothing more than a clear vinegar solution, Hometalker Mom4Real was able to transform her stained dishwasher with virtually no effort. After noticing the bottom of her machine had turned an unpleasant shade of brown, she poured vinegar into a heavy jug and placed it on the top cleaning rack. Ensuring the jug didn’t fall over, she started a cleaning cycle and voila, the sparkling dishwasher you see above was the end result. Get tutorial here

A Sparkling Clean Toilet with Vinegar in Minutes

Forget endless scrubbing, a clean toilet with vinegar not only takes minutes, but virtually no effort at all. Matthew Gingerella poured baking soda and vinegar into his toilet bowl. Despite expectations, the solution didn’t explode. However, in 20 minutes, his toilet was spotless. For those who don’t like the mad scientist approach, HomeSpot HQ recommends pouring vinegar into the cistern. After shutting off the water and draining the system, put tape over the siphon jets and pour a gallon of vinegar into the tank. Flush and leave overnight. Finally, remove the tape, run water through the bowl and you’ll keep your bowl looking as fresh as the one above. Get tutorial here

Keeping Tile Grout Clean

Toilet grime isn’t the only bathroom nasty you can take aim at with cleaning vinegar. To restore tired grout like HomeSpot HQ, all it takes is a touch of vinegar.As you can see, old grout can be given a new lease of life with a small brush (an old toothbrush is perfect), cleaning vinegar and baking soda. Mixing the two in a bowl, gently rub the solution across the grout and you’ll see the dirt gradually disappear. One thing to be careful of is sections without any grout. Don’t get vinegar into these crevices because the acid can eat away at your tiles. Get tutorial here

Make Your Own Wipes with Cleaning Vinegar

Now you know how to clean virtually every part of your home with vinegar, our final top tip is the wet wipe. This creation from Lana Jane Fox allows you to tackle tough stains in seconds. To start, take some kitchen towel and a coffee canister (or something similar). Then, place the towels in the canister and pour in a solution made using the ingredients shown above. These include: 1 ½ cups of white vinegar, 1 ½ cups of water and up to ½ cup pine cleaning solution. Leave to soak and you’ll have wet wipes that give you the power of cleaning vinegar whenever you need it.  Get tutorial here