There are many home remedies when it comes to the basic cleaning of different products and materials. However, not all of them are efficient. There are just a handful of ingredients that can be effective as a cleaning solution. One such ingredient is vinegar. There are different types of vinegar, such as distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, and the list goes on. And the best part is that most of them prove to be excellent cleaning agents. Besides that, by pairing it with other ingredients, you can keep using vinegar for different purposes. This guide will look at the top 5 cleaning solutions that you can make at home using vinegar. Let’s get started!
Contents
What Makes Vinegar An Excellent Cleaning Agent?
Before we get to the types of solutions, how they are made, and what they can do, let’s address the fundamental question first. You may wonder about the effectiveness of vinegar as a cleaning solution. After all, it is just a common cooking ingredient.
Well, to answer the concern, vinegar contains a primary ingredient known as acetic acid. In the vinegar bottle, acetic acid is responsible for regulating the acidity level and preserving the product for a long time. Besides that, acetic acid also contains anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which makes it an excellent disinfectant. Due to such a potent cleaning agent, vinegar ultimately becomes a solid addition to any cleaning solution.
In addition to that, the internal structure of vinegar is so acidic that it automatically works as a cleaning agent. This is because acidity fights mineral deposits, which are often the primary reason behind uncleanliness on most of the surfaces.
It is fair to say that vinegar has a natural tendency to make things clean and tidy, making it an ideal fit for any cleaning solution.
All-Purpose Cleaner
If you are looking for a basic ‘one size fits all’ alternative, this solution is just for you. For making this, mix one cup of vinegar and an equal quantity of warm water in a spray bottle, and that’s about it. This is the simplest and most commonly used vinegar solution. You can use it to wipe clean general household objects like knobs, switchboards, cabinets, etc. You may also spray this solution on mirrors and glasses, including Tv and other screens, and wipe it clean with a paper towel.
Floor Cleaner
You’ll need a different solution for cleaning the floor because the floor usually requires a more diluted solution. So you won’t be able to use the 1:1 ratio mentioned in the previous vinegar-based solution. Instead, add half a cup of vinegar and approximately half a gallon of water for floor cleaning. This is a less concentrated alternative, suitable for cleaning the floor, tiles, kitchen counters, and other large surfaces. This solution also proves effective in eliminating mineral deposits on the floor.
Vinegar Cleaning Paste
Are you sick of seeing random dark spots on the metal objects in your house? From tarnished metal pots to your car’s outer surface, it all needs a thorough cleaning. And no, a regular water and vinegar spray may not prove that effective. The best way forward is to make a paste by mixing half a cup vinegar, one teaspoon salt, and a little bit of flour. Prepare a thick paste of these ingredients, apply it wherever you want, and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Wipe it clean with a paper towel, and the job is done.
Vinegar-Based Dishwasher
Even though your regular dish soap does the job quite well, sometimes it needs to amp up its concentration. For instance, if you happen to burn a bot or have something stuck onto it, you might want to boost the effectiveness of your dish soap. For doing so, all you need to do is mix a tablespoon of vinegar into your regular dish soap and then use it. Other than that, you can also use vinegar to clean the dishwashing machine or washing machine by pouring a half cup of vinegar and rinsing it off.
Toilet Disinfectant
Your toilet needs special care for cleaning because it is nothing short of a warehouse of bacteria and viruses. If you’re sick of using strong, chemically active toilet cleaners, then using vinegar would be a good choice. The best part about this solution is that you practically don’t need to make one. Directly pouring one cup of vinegar, letting it sit overnight, and then flushing the toilet will do the job. This is quite a time, energy, and effort-efficient way of getting the work done.
CONCLUSION
These were the top five most effective and commonly demanded vinegar-based solutions that can clean up the significant parts of your house. With just some ground knowledge about how and where to use vinegar, you can quickly get any cleaning job done without harsh, chemically formulated cleaning solutions. However, make sure you are careful while making the solutions by only using the proper measurements and quantities.
