How can a pantry staple be just as good for homemade pickles as it is powering through dirt and grime?

The answer lies in the acidity of distilled vinegar.

Acetic acid makes regular household vinegar a cleaning ninja. It can kill bacteria that’s already growing. Don’t worry about new bacterial or mold growth, vinegar stops that, too.

Even though it’s tough on bacteria and grime, vinegar is gentle on your skin. Plus, it’s non-toxic and easy to use.

Why wouldn’t you want to clean with vinegar? Spritz your homemade vinegar cleansers liberally without worry. Keep reading to find out how to ditch toxic cleaners in favor of non-toxic, affordable vinegar.

Clean Your Windows

Do you struggle to get your windows and mirrors streak free? Cleaning glass with vinegar can help you get crystal clear results.

Combine equal parts distilled vinegar and water. Add a drop of liquid dish soap to help get rid of streaks.

Put a towel on the window ledge before cleaning and use a sponge to wash the windows with the solution. Follow up with a squeegee to remove the liquid.

Remove Gunk From Appliances

Vinegar can power through built-up gunk on small appliances. To easily clean your coffee maker, start by running vinegar through a brewing cycle. Follow up with a cycle of clean water to get rid of the vinegar. and leave your coffee maker as good as new!

Loosen the caked-on food in your microwave by heating equal parts water and vinegar for two to three minutes to get it boiling. Then, wipe off the food with a clean cloth.

Scrub your garbage disposal with a small brush soaked in vinegar to remove food remnants. Add baking soda to the brush for more cleaning power.

Make All-Purpose Cleaner

People spend an average of six hours cleaning per week. Make that time easier and less toxic by making all-purpose cleaner from vinegar.

Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to scent the cleaner.

Spray the mixture onto the surface and wipe it clean. Avoid surfaces that can be damaged by acids. If you’re not sure, test the vinegar cleaner on a hidden area.

Refresh Your Bathroom

Vinegar is one of the best natural cleaners for any room, including the bathroom. It gets rid of buildup from hard water and soap scum.

Pour a cup of vinegar into your toilet bowl at night. Scrub the bowl the next morning to get it sparkling clean.

A mixture of water and vinegar works on most bathroom surfaces. Use it to clean countertops, tile floors, and shower walls.

Is your showerhead gunky? Twist-tie a plastic bag of vinegar around it with the showerhead submerged. Let it soak overnight to clear out the gunk.

Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar

The acidity that makes vinegar an effective cleaner can damage some items in your home.

Never use vinegar on natural stone surfaces including granite, marble, and soapstone. The acidity ruins the shine at best and causes permanent pitting and etching at worst.

Undiluted vinegar can damage the finish on wood furniture and wood floors.

You’ve probably heard that vinegar can clean out your iron. Unfortunately, it can damage the inside components, so it’s best to avoid this cleaning method. Vinegar can also damage the rubber parts in your dishwasher.

Another big no-no is mixing vinegar with bleach. The combo creates a toxic gas.

Get Help With Cleaning

Switching to vinegar is easy, affordable, and non-toxic. Best of all, you can clean with vinegar in almost any room.

Do you need a little help getting everything on your cleaning to-do list done? That’s where we can help. Get a quote for our green cleaning services and enjoy a sparkling clean home without toxic cleaners.