Apple cider vinegar is a completely natural product. It is the result of fermenting apples to the hard cider stage, then a second fermentation to the vinegar stage. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), vinegar kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of molds & 80% of germs (virus).
Here are a few green ways to clean and disinfect your home using vinegar:
For an effective mold killer, mix 10 drops tea tree essential oil to vinegar. Spray on mold. Do not wipe off. Leave to dry. The scent will dissipate. The vinegar by itself will kill most molds, but if you dislike the scent of vinegar, the tea tree oil will cut that scent plus add even more anti-microbial strength.
Vinegar is a very effective grease cutter. Use it to clean stove tops and delicate surfaces like glazed ceramic, Teflon, ovenware, and fine china. Put baking soda in a bowl and add a two drops of dish detergent. Add enough vinegar to make a paste. Use this soft scrub to clean greasy surfaces.
Vinegar is a safe and effective floor cleaner for any kind of smooth flooring. Add one cup vinegar to one gallon of warm water. Wring mop as dry as possible and dry immediately with a cloth or paper towel if using on wood floors. It is equally effective for vinyl and ceramic tile floors.
Clean your windows and glass surfaces with 1/4 cup vinegar to 1 pint of water. Put the mixture into a spray bottle, spray on and wipe dry immediately with a soft dry cloth.
Keep a spray bottle of straight vinegar in your bathroom and spray the toilet bowl liberally to deodorize. Vinegar will also clean the soap scum off your bathtub and shower door and keep your vanity sparkling and sanitized.
To remove mineral/scale buildup (usually found around the faucet base), soak a cloth in vinegar and lay it on the scale buildup. Allow to set 30 minutes and wipe down. If the buildup is heavy several soakings may be necessary.
A half cup of vinegar in the final rinse will soften clothes just as well as commercial fabric softeners and at a fraction of the cost.
Clean and deodorize your drains by pouring 1/4 cup baking soda into the drain. Follow with 1/2 cup vinegar. Allow to set 30 minutes then follow with about a quart of hot water. This will help keep grease and residue from building up in your drain and eventually clogging.
For odor remover, place a bowl of vinegar in the room to be deodorized.
Vinegar can also be used to clean litter boxes.
Maid Brigade House Cleaning Services cares about our environment and the health of you and your family. For more information on healthy green living and green cleaning, please log on to greencleancertified.com and maidbrigade.com. Watch our video on achieving work/life balance at greencleancertified.com/greentv. To learn more about the hidden allergy and asthma triggers in your home, log on to greencleancertified.com/greentv.
