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Welcome to week two of Spring cleaning your House for Less. Last week was all about using lemons. This week, the ordinary item with extraordinary capabilities is vinegar. Not only is it really inexpensive but it can be used safely around your house.
There are hundreds of uses for vinegar. I’m sure you’re aware of many of them, but I tried to find a few that were off the beaten path.
Wash it Down the Drain!
Combining vinegar and baking soda is a very effective way to not only deodorize your drain but unclog it too. It’s not only cheaper but more gentle on your pipes that Drano or other heavy duty drain cleaners.
To clear clogs in sinks and tub drains, use a funnel to pour in 1/2 cup baking soda followed by 1 cup vinegar. When the foaming subsides, flush with hot tap water. Wait five minutes, then flush again with cold water. It not only clears the blockage but washes away bacteria that can cause odor.
To speed up a slow drain, pour in 1/2 cup salt followed by 2 cups boiling vinegar, then flush with hot and cold tap water.
Use it to Get Rid of Goo!
Did your kids put a sticket on the wall? Saturate the corners and sides of the sticker with full-strength white vinegar and (carefully) scrape it off using an old credit card. If there is still some goo pour on a little bit more vinegar. Let it sit for a minute or two and then wipe with a clean cloth. Use this same technique to get those pesky registration stickers off your windshield. Be sure you let the surface dry before applying your new one!
Say Goodbye to Mildew!
Why buy a new shower curtain when you can clean the mildew stains off your plastic one with vinegar? Putting the shower curtain and a few towels in the washing machine. Add 1/2 cup laundry detergent and 1/2 cup baking soda to the load. Wash it in warm water on a regular cycle. Add 1 cup white vinegar to the first rinse cycle. Be sure you remove the shower curtain BEFORE the spin cylce and let it hang-dry.
Clean your Washing Machine!
Does you washer smell funny? One reason for the odor could be due to soap scum buildup. Clean out the scum and disinfect your washer by pouring in 2 cups vinegar. Run the machine through a full cycle without any clothes or detergent.
If your washer is particularly dirty, fill it with very hot water, add 2 gallons of vinegar and let the agitator run for 8-10 minutes. Turn off the washer and let the solution stand overnight. In the morning, empty the basin and run your washer through a complete cycle.
Use it on Your Iron!
Most people know you can use vinegar in the iron but did you know you can use it to remove scorch marks from the soleplate? Simply scrub the plate with a paste made by heating up equal parts vinegar and salt in a small pan. Use a rag dipped in clean water to wipe away the remaining residue.
For more tips on how to use vinegar, go HERE. Or share some of your favorite vinegar tips.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I combine water and vinegar with some lemon oil and use it for my all-purpose cleaner. I love that it’s safe and I don’t have to worry about using around my girls. Or better yet, they can help me clean!
Great Article! And so cost effective.
They’ve been using this method in Europe forever, I was wondering when it would catch on here.
I use vinegar (and baking soda) to clean just about everything. I fill a spray bottle of 1/2 water & 1/2 vinegar and use it for my everyday spray cleaner.
Great for wood floor cleaning too!
I use vinegar to clean my coffee pot. Run vinegar through cycle, be sure to use a filter to catch the gunk you will get.
It’s a good idea to run a pot of water through the cycle to avoid vinegar coffee.
I then use the hot vinegar with baking soda to clean my garbage disposal and drains. My nephew loves to watch the volcano erupt in the sink!