TEA OR COFFEE CUPS:
Embarrassed to have friends over for coffee because of the stains in your cups? Mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and salt or baking soda. Scrub the cups gently and rinse.
BED & BATH
Mattress Freshener: Combat pesky dust mites, mildew and odors with a solution of white vinegar, a splash of rubbing alcohol and a few drops of tea tree oil. Pour mixture into a spray bottle, spritz the mattress, and allow to dry thoroughly before making the bed.
SHOWER:
For a sparkling clean shower, boil white vinegar and put it in a spray bottle. Spray down the walls and glass door with the vinegar, keeping everything damp by spritzing every five minutes for a total of 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. For stubborn mold, water spots or soap scum, soak a non-scratch sponge in white vinegar, sprinkle it with baking soda, and scrub vigorously. (Did you know you can clean your shower head with baking soda and a zip-top bag?)
FLOOR TILE:
Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar with a gallon of warm water and mop floor tiles. Allow to air dry. (Do not use on stone tiles.)
TUB AND SINK DRAINS:
Close the drain and pour 1/2 cup white vinegar around the drain. Allow the vinegar to sit for several hours, working its way into hardened deposits and soap scum. Scrub drain area with a non-scratch sponge, drain out the vinegar and rinse thoroughly. For hard-to-remove lime buildup, create a paste of 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 2 tablespoons coarse salt. Rub paste into deposit, scrub with a non-scratch sponge and rinse.
TOILET:
Everybody uses it, so here’s an easy way to keep it clean. Pour one cup of white vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it sit overnight. Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, scrub with a toilet brush, then flush
DRAIN CLEANER:
If your drains are sluggish, pour in one cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of white vinegar. Allow the solution to bubble and foam, then let it sit for several hours. Pour boiling water down the drain to flush the clog.
SKIN SOFTENER:
Keep your soles feeling smooth by soaking your feet in 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water. Scrub gently to remove rough spots.
LAUNDRY
Fabric Softener: For a chemical-free fabric softener, add a cup of white vinegar to the final wash or rinse cycle. (TIP: Adding even 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle helps keep dryer lint from sticking to your clothes and helps reduce static cling.
DEODORIZER:
Dealing with stinky gym socks? Add 1 cup of white vinegar to a large pot of water. Bring the mixture to a boil. Remove from heat and submerge socks completely. Soak socks overnight, then wash and dry as usual.
FURNITURE POLISH:
Buff your wood furniture to a nice shine by mixing 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1 cup of olive oil. Add a few drops of lemon or orange oil if you like. Wipe solution onto furniture and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. (Test in an inconspicuous place first.)
CARPET SPOT REMOVER:
If Fido isn’t potty trained yet, salvage the carpet by wetting down urine spots with 2 tablespoons white vinegar, then sprinkle with baking soda. Work the solution into the carpet with a brush. Allow to dry overnight. Vacuum up solution. (Test on an inconspicuous area first.)
WINDOW CLEANER:
To get rid of dirt and streaks on windows, mix 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol and 1/3 cup white vinegar in a 32-oz. spray bottle and fill with distilled water. Spray windows and wipe off with a lint-free cloth.
PAINT BRUSH CLEANER:
Place caked-on paint brushes in a pot or saucepan (not used for cooking) and soak in white vinegar for an hour. Place the pot on the stove and bring the vinegar to a simmer. Drain the pot and rinse the brushes with water.
SCREW RELEASE:
If you have a stubborn screw that won’t come loose, try pouring vinegar slowly over the screw until thoroughly saturated. Let the vinegar sit for a few minutes, then loosen the screw.
Flea Repellent: Help keep annoying fleas and ticks at bay by spraying your dog with a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar to 1 quart water.
LITTER BOX DEODORIZER:
Don’t forget the cat! Remove odors by pouring 1/2 inch of white vinegar into an empty litter box. Let the vinegar stand for 20 minutes, then rinse the box with water.
While white vinegar is a savior when it comes to a cheap, chemical-free way to clean your home, there are a few times it should be avoided. As mentioned above, do not use white vinegar on granite or marble countertops because the acidity can etch the stone. The same holds true for stone floor tiles (avoid lemon and ammonia, too!) and waxed surfaces. Don’t pour white vinegar into your iron, and never use it on unsealed grout lines. One last note of caution: Don’t use white vinegar on stains caused by eggs. The acidity in the vinegar causes the egg to coagulate and makes it more difficult to remove.