Green Cleaning with Vinegar

In my never-ending pursuit to learn about more ways to “go green” I’m always looking for ways to replace my commercial cleaners with more eco friendly methods of cleaning.  I’ve been using lots of lemons for cleaning lately.  I’ve also started using vinegar around the house and have found lots of great ways for cleaning with vinegar.

It’s eco friendly and much cheaper than all the commercial products that you are probably purchasing now.  Here are 10 of my favorite uses for vinegar around the house:

1. Got a mess in your microwave?  I used to spend lots of time and lots of cleaners trying to get my microwave clean after my daughters made snacks in it.  No more!  To clean a microwave quickly and easily, simply fill a microwave safe bowl with half water and half vinegar.  Turn the microwave on for 4 – 5 minutes until the liquid is boiling. Now all you’ve got to do is wipe the inside clean with a damp cloth. The best news is that it gets rid of smells too!

2. Do your kids use a lunch box?  Have you ever noticed that it starts to smell after awhile no matter what you do to clean it?  Simply take a piece of bread and soak it in vinegar.  Set it in the lunchbox overnight.  Clean it with dishsoap and water the next morning and the lunch box will smell good again!

3. Another great tip for cleaning with vinegar is to use it on stainless steel. Add about a tablespoon of salt to 4 tablespoons of vinegar and use it to scrub soap scum and other build-up from stainless steel faucets.

4. Do your sponges smell like mildew?  Are you throwing them out as quick as you can start using them?  Save money and your sponges by soaking them in water and about 1/4 cup of white vinegar overnight.

5. White distilled vinegar works great for cleaning countertops. Mix equal parts of vingar and water and use it to wipe down all counter tops.

6. Vinegar works great for killing germs. You don’t need all those heavy cleaners in the bathroom.  Simply put straight vinegar into a spray bottle and use it around the bathroom to clean up and kill germs at the same time.

7. Vinegar works great on tile, linoleum, and other no-wax floors. Simply add a cup of vinegar to warm water and mop your floors.  Much better for the floor and your indoor air quality than any commercial cleaner on the market.

8. Vinegar also works great for cleaning walls.  Just pour white vinegar directly on a rag and wipe down the walls in your home. It will also get rid of stale smells. It’s a great way to get your house smelling fresh again after winter is over.

9. If you’ve got kids, white vinegar works great for cleaning and disinfecting them.  Simply add some vinegar to soapy water and let the toys soak. This works with plastic toys, but watch for stickers that will come loose in water.

10. Vinegar can often be used to remove stains from carpet.  Just create your own cleaner by adding 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to 1/4 cup of baking soda. Rub the paste into the stain and allow to sit overnight.  Just vacuum the next day. If the stain is lighter, but not gone – repeat again.  You may want to try this on an area of carpet that no one will see first as it can lighten some carpets.

There are literally thousands of other cool cleaning with vinegar ideas that you can use around the house.  Watch for more coming soon.  If you have a great idea for cleaning with vinegar, let us know so others can use it as well. You’ll find that you save money on commercial cleaners and you’ll be glad that you aren’t breathing in all of those harsh chemicals as well.  Plus, if you buy a large bottle of vinegar it’s really cheap.  If you belong to Sam’s Club or Costco, pick up a huge jug the next time you are shopping! And you can get other quality products at Amazon.

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Green Cleaning with Lemon

Tons of the harmful chemicals that are used in homes come from the products that we use to keep our homes clean. That doesn’t have to be! There are many green cleaning options available and many of them are less expensive than the cleaners that you may be used to. On top of that, a lot of green cleaning options work just as well, or even better!

One of my favorite green cleaning products is lemon juice. Yep, just plain old lemon juice that you squeeze right from a lemon. There is so much that you can do with lemon juice – all of it really green!

Get a lemon and let’s get green cleaning!

~ By simply cutting a lemon in half, you can use it as a great cleaner for laminate counter tops or cutting boards. Simply add a little salt to your lemon half and scrub. You’ll get rid of stains and disinfect at the same time.

~ Add 1/2 cup of lemon juice to a sink of water and soak any white clothing or linens before you wash them, with the notable exception of silk. You can also add lemon juice directly to your wash. This is a great trick for getting curtains looking (and smelling) fresh again.

~ Mix lemon juice with cream or tarter to make a paste and use it to rub on stubborn stains. They come out amazingly well.

~ Use lemon juice to soak toothbrushes – it will sanitize them.

~ Use lemon juice to clean real copper and brass, but make sure that the copper or brass you are cleaning is real!

~ Mix two parts olive oil and one part lemon juice to make a great furniture polish. Put it in a spray bottle and then spray and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

~ Lemon juice can also be used to get rid of stains in plastic storage containers, like Tupperware. Just use half a lemon with some salt sprinkled on it and rub the stained area. You’ll disinfect and get rid of the stains at the same time.

~ Lemon juice can also be used to disinfect toilets, garbage cans, and showers or bathtubs.

~ Combine lemon juice with baking powder to unclog drains while leaving them smelling nice and fresh.

Green cleaning is the best way to clean. It’s better for the environment and it’s better for your family’s health. Use lemon juice to help keep your home clean and fresh!

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