Want to try some chemical free cleaning or perhaps save a bucket load of cash on NOT buying cleaning products? Head to the pantry! Here’s 14 super interesting ways to change up your cleaning game using vinegar!
Vinegar is cheap as chips at the supermarket. In fact, it might even be CHEAPER than chips. Woolworths Essentials Vinegar is just $1.20 for 2 litres! #SCORE
NOTE: It’s important to note that while vinegar is harmless for most household uses, DO NOT USE VINEGAR ON STONE OR MARBLE SURFACES. The acid in vinegar is just as harsh as the acid in lemon, lime and wine which is notorious for blemishing stone benchtops!
14 Vinegar hacks you need to try
1. A crystal clear window cleaner
Get a spot-free finish on those windows with vinegar! Mix equal parts white vinegar with rainwater and a few drops of dishwashing detergent in a bucket and swirl around. Sponge it on to windows (wiping any bugs and whatever else off the glass) and squeegee to finish. Perfection!
2. Cut flowers aren’t so quick to wilt
If you’re lucky enough to receive flowers, add a splash of white vinegar to your vase of water to keep them looking fresher for longer. Sweet!
3. Shiny tiled floors
Vinegar is great on tiled floors – add ½ a cup to a bucket of warm water and get mopping!
4. Clean the microwave of spaghetti splatters
Is the inside of your microwave an absolute mess? In a microwave-safe jug, heat ¼ cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water on HIGH for two minutes. Remove the jug and wipe clean the microwave interior. Easy!
5. Excellent (and cheap) dishwasher rinse-aid
Instead of buying a commercial rinse-aid for the dishwasher, try using white vinegar. It’s super affordable and leaves glassware sparkling.
6. Treating deodorant stains on laundry
Rub the underarms of stained shirts with white vinegar and then wash as per normal. Repeat if necessary – it DOES help soften the fabric and release the stain though!
7. Set colours in the wash
If you have clothes that often run in the wash (navy and red are often the offenders) add a ½ cup of vinegar to your washing machine on a pre-wash cycle (or give them a quick soak before washing) to help set the dye (and hopefully save your other clothes!)
8. Clearing the stink from smelly drains
We all know vinegar is awesome for clearing smelly drains so if you haven’t tried it, give it a try! Keep the kitchen sink drains smelling fresh as a daisy by giving it a sprinkle of bicarb soda followed by a cup of white vinegar before rinsing hot water.
9. Tidy up the garden weeds
You know those pesky weeds that keep popping up between pavers no matter what you do? Give them a splash of vinegar and you’ll soon show them who’s the gardening boss!
10. Clean your hair!
Science tells us apple cider vinegar can be awesome for our hair. From helping with dandruff, itchy scalp and giving a gorgeous shine to your locks – adding vinegar to your final hair rinse does wonders.
11. Kettle cleaner
Is your kettle or coffee machine in dire need of descaling or a good clean? Add a splash of diluted vinegar to the water and run it through the system to give it a clean. Don’t forget to run fresh water through it afterwards before your next cuppa though!
12. No more hard water stains
For hard water stains and limescale build-up, try soaking some paper towel in white vinegar and letting it sit on the stain for 10 minutes before scrubbing away. Like magic, it loosens up the scale for easy cleaning.
13. Mirror, mirror on the wall…
Toddlers love to leave their fingerprints and handprints all over the mirror. And my kids seem to constantly spit toothpaste all over it and the dust … OH THE DUST. Forget commercial glass cleaners and the like, you can clean your mirrors with the same solution used for windows (see point 1). Just spray on, wipe and rub off with a lint-free cloth. Easy!
14. A brilliant all-purpose cheap surface spray
If cleaning products are out of the budget or you’ve run out and need something desperately to clean the kitchen with – white vinegar is your friend. Dilute vinegar in water in a spray bottle and use as you would any other surface spray. Promise the scent doesn’t linger for long!
So there you go … 14 pretty awesome uses for the cheap as chips bottle of vinegar sitting in your pantry. How did we do? Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments if you have any other tried and true vinegar hacks we should know about and we’ll be sure to add them to the list!
