Ask:
Can someone please share ways they use vinegar around the house? Do you use it straight from the bottle or dilute it with water? Do you put it in a Spray bottle or bucket?
I started using vinegar instead of fabric softener about a month ago due to a suggestion out here and love the results. I'm interested in finding out where else I can use it and specific ratios to use if I need to dilute it. It just seems like such a safe and frugal way to clean.
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This link is to a site that gives you over 100 ways to us vinegar. HTH
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We do most of our cleaning with vinegar. We have a spray bottle of it in the kitchen and one of the bathrooms upstairs. I dilute it about half and half. I'll try to make a list here of the things we use it for. (It's late and I have pg brain so it probably won't be the complete list)
Clean mirrors and windows - with paper towels or a wet rag
Clean kitchen counters
Clean refrigerator - outside and inside
Clean bathroom vanities - spray on and wipe with a wet rag. If the sink is really bad, sprinkle on a little baking soda then spray with vinegar and wipe. When you spray the vinegar it will bubble so don't be alarmed. Also be sure you rinse well if you use baking soda because sometimes it can leave a powdery residue.
Clean toilet seats/tanks - I spray it on then use toilet paper to wipe everything off so I can just flush it then. This is one of my most impressive use of vinegar. My toilet seats sparkle, literally.
Clean chrome faucets and fixtures - makes them shine
Clean shower doors and walls. If you have hard water keep a spray bottle in the shower and spray the doors or shower curtain every day. (you don't need to rinse) It will keep them clean.
Clean car dash, windows, and mirrors. If you have tinted windows vinegar is safe.
Clean doorknobs and light switches - anything that get germs and handprints.
I also use it in the final rinse of the washer and I put it in my dishwasher where the jetdry goes.
Soak bright colored clothes in vinegar when they're new to prevent fading and bleeding.
Put a cup full of vinegar near the source of household smells to eliminate odors. Near the litter box or dog bed, bathroom, etc. Keep it out of reach. A decorative votive holder or something like that is great on a shelf in the bathroom.
If you have a dog or something that lays on furniture, LIGHTLY spray with vinegar solution to freshen and eliminate odors.
I know there's more but that's all I can think of now. Check out the book Vim and Vinegar and here's a great website.
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I do the same- spray bottle and dilute half and half. I use it for everything- the only other cleaners I have in the house are bleach (which I really use) and Comet.
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Thank you ladies. These are great posts. DH and I just bought a gallon so now we can really use it. There must be something wrong with me. I suddenly have the urge to clean.
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When you use it instead of fabric softner do your clothes end up smelling like vinegar? I never knew that there were so many uses for vinegar.
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thanks for the ideas! I was just at Lowes yesterday to pick up some cleaner for my pergo floors and I mentioned to the guy that I heard you can use vinegar and he said YEP! I asked him what he would use, the cleaner or the vinegar, and he said the vinegar! I thanked him for saving me at least $10 on the cleaner, not to meantion that the vinegar will last longer! Oh yeah, and it is safer!
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When we first started using Vinegar in place of softener it did smell different but not bad unless I overdid it. Sometimes I would maybe throw 1/2 a dryer sheet in while I was experimenting.
Now I fill the fabric softener cup or use less for smaller loads. If you can smell the vinegar then it's probably too much for that size load or there may be softener or soap residue the vinegar is clinging to. I think it takes several washings to get the fabric softener chemicals out of the clothes and towels and that contributes to how it smells. Now after about a month everything rises clean and smells fresh to me. Also the towels in particular are softer and more absorbant.
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I Used Vinegar In The Wash But My Cloths Smelled Like Vinger But Some Of You Say That Goes Away So Ill Try Again. How Much Is Too Much?
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vinegar is the best you can do so much with it.