Plain old vinegar has so many uses beyond being a delicious addition to salad dressing and critical for making pickles! You know you can use vinegar as an all-natural hair rinse. Did you know it’s a great disinfectant, too?

Toxic cleaning supplies contribute to poor indoor air quality, not to mention the damage they do to our groundwater when we rinse that residue down the drain.

Sure, you could replace your household cleaners with expensive alternatives, but it’s easy as pie to save a buck and do a large portion of your cleaning with one simple ingredient: vinegar.

A large jug of white or apple cider vinegar costs just a few dollars at the grocery store and is a super versatile cleaning agent! If you’re sensitive to the smell of vinegar, try adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to any of these recipes.

For counter tops as well as glass, make a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water. You can spray down surfaces as usual. To get that glass all streak free, try wiping it down with newspaper from your recycle bin instead of a rag. If you have a stubborn spot, give it a direct spritz and let it soak for a few minutes. It’ll wipe away easily.

Vinegar is like magic when it comes to cleaning the microwave. Again, you’ll need a 1:1 mixture, but this time put it in a microwave safe bowl. Heat it to boiling for two or three minutes, and prepare to be amazed. Built up gunk should wipe right off!

One of my favorite ways to clean with vinegar is in the bathroom. Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the bowl of the toilet and follow that with 1/2 cup of baking soda, like you’re making a science fair volcano. Close the lid, and by the time you’ve finished cleaning the rest of the bathroom, the toilet should be easy to clean with hardly any scrubbing.

That vinegar/water spritz bottle is perfect for bathroom counter tops and the walls of the shower, too. If your shower has built up gunk, spritz and let it stand for a bit before wiping things down.

You can also unclog drains with the stuff! This is another volcano-style situation. Pour 1/2 c baking soda down the drain and follow with 1c vinegar. Once the fizzing dies down, follow the whole thing with 2 cups of boiling water.

Want even more tips for cleaning with vinegar? Vinegar Tips has you covered with 1001 ways to clean with vinegar! 1001. I’m not kidding.

Image Credits:
Vinegar. Creative Commons photo via cafemama
Cleaning with Vinegar. Creative Commons photo via elycefeliz