The Surprising Way Vinegar Can Deep Clean Your Whole Home

Vinegar is an amazing natural cleaning product that can be used all over your home. With just this one inexpensive item from your pantry, you can make your entire house sparkle.

Why Vinegar is Such an Effective Cleaner

Vinegar is great at cutting through grease, disinfecting surfaces, and removing odors. Here’s why:

• Acetic acid – This is the active ingredient in vinegar and gives it cleaning power. Acetic acid can dissolve mineral deposits, grease, and grime.

• Antibacterial properties – Vinegar is about 95% water and 5% acetic acid. The acidity of vinegar gives it antibacterial properties that help kill germs and bacteria.

• Deodorizing abilities – Vinegar absorbs and removes odors instead of just masking them like some cleaners. The acetic acid neutralizes odors and freshens the air.

Using Vinegar to Clean Your Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home. Vinegar can help you easily clean every surface.

Cleaning Kitchen Appliances

Vinegar’s grease-cutting powers make it ideal for cleaning kitchen appliances inside and out:

• Microwave – Heat a bowl of vinegar in the microwave to loosen stuck-on food and grease. Then wipe down the interior with a cloth dampened with undiluted vinegar.

• Coffee maker – Run a brew cycle with equal parts vinegar and water to descale the machine. Follow with a water-only cycle.

• Oven and stove – Use undiluted vinegar to scrub the oven and stove surface. For stubborn stains, let the vinegar sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing.

• Refrigerator – Mix 1 cup vinegar with 1 gallon water. Use this solution to clean all interior and exterior surfaces.

Sanitizing Countertops and Sinks

Vinegar can sanitize and deodorize your kitchen counters, cutting boards, and sinks:

• Wipe down counters with a mix of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Rinse with water afterward.

• Thoroughly scrub cutting boards with vinegar and dry completely to sanitize.

• Deodorize and sanitize your sink by pouring in 1 cup baking soda followed by 1 cup vinegar. Let bubble and rinse thoroughly with water.

Cleaning Floors

Vinegar makes floors shine without leaving behind a chemical residue:

• For vinyl floors, add 1⁄2 cup vinegar to a bucket of water. Mop as usual and let dry.

• Combine 1 cup vinegar with 1 gallon warm water to mop tile floors. The vinegar will remove soap residue.

• Hardwood floors can be cleaned by adding 1⁄2 cup vinegar to a gallon of water. Make sure to thoroughly wring out mop before applying solution.

Using Vinegar in the Bathroom

Vinegar can sanitize and remove stains in the bathroom. The acetic acid in vinegar helps dissolve mineral deposits from hard water, soap scum, and more.

Cleaning the Shower and Tub

To remove hard water stains from your shower:

1. Spray full-strength white vinegar directly on the stains.

2. Let sit for a few minutes.

3. Use a soft scrub brush to scrub the stains away.

4. Rinse thoroughly with water.

For general tub and tile cleaning, wipe down surfaces with undiluted vinegar first. Then scrub using baking soda as an abrasive cleaner. Rinse thoroughly.

Unclogging Drains

Pour 1 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1 cup vinegar. Let the mixture bubble for 10-15 minutes. Then rinse with hot water to clear debris. Repeat as needed for severe clogs. The combination helps break up hair and grime.

Cleaning the Toilet

Make a strong vinegar cleaning solution for the toilet: Mix 1⁄4 cup vinegar with 1⁄4 cup baking soda until it fizzes. Pour into the toilet bowl and let sit for at least 30 minutes before scrubbing and flushing. This will help descale and disinfect the toilet bowl.

Using Vinegar for Laundry

Vinegar is a natural fabric softener and whitening agent. Here’s how to use it for laundry:

Softening Clothes

• Add 1⁄2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle to naturally soften clothes and remove detergent residue.

• For towels, add 1 cup vinegar to prevent stiffness. The vinegar removes soap residue that makes towels less absorbent.

Whitening Whites

Add 1⁄2 cup vinegar to your regular detergent when washing whites. The vinegar helps restore brightness by removing dulling detergent residue.

Reducing Odors

If clothes have a musty smell, add 1 cup vinegar to a wash cycle to remove odors naturally. Vinegar absorbs and neutralizes odor molecules.

Cleaning Throughout the Home with Vinegar

Vinegar can be used all over your home. Here are some more ways to utilize it:

• Windows – Combine 2 cups vinegar with 1 gallon water. Spray on and wipe clean with newspaper or a lint-free cloth.

• Wood surfaces – Mix 1⁄4 cup olive oil, 1⁄2 cup vinegar and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Polish wood furniture with this homemade wood polish.

• Carpets – Freshen carpet by sprinkling baking soda over the carpet. Let sit for an hour before vacuuming up. The baking soda absorbs odors.

• Fireplace bricks – Use undiluted vinegar and a stiff brush to remove soot and grime from fireplace bricks.

Vinegar truly offers an inexpensive, non-toxic way to clean your entire home. With some vinegar and essential supplies like baking soda, microfiber cloths, and scrub brushes, you can make your house sparkle.