Using white vinegar for common household tasks can save you around $100 per year.
How?
Well, white vinegar can replace many of the common cleaning products you have in your home… the ones you are always repurchasing throughout the year.
A gallon of vinegar will cost about $2.50.
This gallon will come in handy for the ten household tasks below and should last you at least six months, if not longer. No more paying for expensive weed killers, window cleaners, dryer sheets, and more.
White Vinegar is ideal for cleaning as it contains an acid content of about 5%, which helps to:
- Kill microorganisms
- Work as a disinfectant
- Deodorizer
- Odorless Once Dried
- Affordable
- Natural Bug Repellent
Here’s 10 excellent ways you can use white vinegar for everyday household tasks.
#1 All Purpose Cleaner
Use vinegar to create an all-purpose cleaner that you can use on most surfaces. You can clean the windows, your shower, wash floors, wipe down countertops, or clean your kids toys. All you need to do is combine equal parts of white vinegar and water into a spray bottle, shake it up, and you’re ready to go. If you want to add a fragrance consider adding tea tree essential oil as it smells crisp and clean, and it’s antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antiviral!
#2 In the Washing Machine
It’s true. Add a half cup of vinegar to your laundry load, as you would normally do, and it will help make your laundry extra fresh. You will still use your soap (and softener if you’d like), but vinegar will assist with softening, eliminating stubborn stains and deodorizing.
#3 DIY Dryer Sheets
If you’re looking for unique ways to save money and incorporate more natural products into your cleaning regimens, consider making your own dryer sheets by utilizing white vinegar.
Simply fill a glass jar halfway with vinegar, add 15-20 drops of an essential oil (optional for scent) and put some rags into the jar. When you need a dryer sheet, ring out one of the rags and throw it in with your clothes. These DIY dryer sheets will eliminate static and help soften your laundry.
#4 Clean the Microwave
Combine equal parts of white vinegar and water into a coffee mug, and place your mug in the microwave. Run the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Carefully remove the mug ensuring not to burn your hand and simply wipe your microwave clean. The moisture will loosen up any food or spills that may have occurred, and the steamed vinegar will help deodorize your microwave for a fresh and clean result.
#5 Scissors
If the blades of your scissors have any sticky residue on them, dampen a rag with vinegar and carefully wipe the blades of your scissors. The vinegar will do an excellent job of removing any adhesive or build up, and your scissors will be shining like they’re new!
#6 Jetted Bathtub Cleanse
Whether you want to deep clean your jetted bathtub or your hot tub, vinegar is an excellent way to do so. The acidic nature of the vinegar will reduce the calcium build up in the tub and get rid of any bacteria hiding in those jets. Simply fill your tub with warm water until the jets are fully submerged, and then add 2 cups of vinegar. Run your jets for 10 minutes and you will have a freshly descaled tub.
#7 All Natural Weed Killer
Kill the weeds in your yard, without harsh chemicals. For this, you will need:
- table salt
- dish soap
- vinegar (duh!)
Begin by combining 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 cup of vinegar together in a spray bottle. Let that sit for at least 10 minutes, or until the salt is dissolved and then add 1 teaspoon of dish soap. Shake this is and begin spraying those pesky weeds. Use this weed killer on a sunny day for accelerated results.
#8 Remove Wallpaper
Don’t spend money on an expensive wallpaper remover, when vinegar works just as well. Combine equal parts of vinegar and warm water together in a spray bottle. Spray this combination onto the wallpaper and let it penetrate through to the adhesive for about 10 minutes before scraping it off.
For even easier removal, use a wallpaper perforator before spraying on your homemade solution. The microscopic holes will allow the solution to get behind the paper.
#9 Clean Your Shower Head
Combine a half cup of baking soda with 1 cup of vinegar in a large freezer-size ziploc bag. Raise the bag up to your shower head and submerge it into the mixture. Secure the bag with a rubber band and let this sit. This will help remove any calcium build up or bacteria that has accumulated over time. Remove the bag after 30 minutes and run the shower to thoroughly rinse.
#10 Dishwasher
Even though a dishwasher is constantly washing and having soap run through it, it is still important to deep clean your dishwasher. White vinegar will help to eliminate any hard water stains and soap scum buildup that might be lingering around. Simply prepare to run your dishwasher as you normally would, but fill a coffee mug up half way with vinegar and place it upright on the top shelf. The steam will help cleanse and disinfect your dishwasher… plus, you will be shocked to see how clean your dishes come out. No streaks at all.
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