It is frequent to spend a lot of money on house cleaning products without even being fully convinced that they will work, that they will not be abrasive or that they are non-toxic. Although there are thousands of natural alternatives such as lemon or baking soda, the truth is that there is a substance that is undoubtedly the most infallible: white vinegar.
It is probably not the first time you have heard about the usefulness of this liquid as a food ingredient or as a salad dressing, however, thanks to its high acidity, it is a powerful ally in the field of household chores. Today I want to tell you about the uses of white vinegar in the home that will get you out of trouble, and you will not be able to stop using it. You will love this!
White vinegar: your new best friend at home
White vinegar is a seasoner widely used in Mediterranean recipes, however, it is also a powerful disinfectant and cleaning aid for various surfaces. This is due to the acidity of its pH, which ranges from 2.5 to 3, depending on the concentration of acetic acid. Along with baking soda, it is an inseparable companion for those who prefer eco-friendly and harmless cleaners to battle with everyday dirt and problems. Take note!
Renew blackened cookware
Pots, pans, casseroles, and utensils of daily use perish and darken over time. To recover their appearance, mix baking soda and vinegar, form a paste with both, apply it with a sponge, and leave it on for 30 minutes. After this time, rub intensely, and that’s it! Rinse as usual and check how shiny they are.
Oxidized metals? No more!
Dissipate rust marks by immersing the object in a container filled with water and vinegar and let it act for 24 hours. If it is a large object, clean directly with a cloth dampened in this substance and rub it with a sponge. You will notice how the rust will come off little by little.
This method is an ace up your sleeve when cleaning the metal surface of your clothes iron that has darkened over time.
Cleans and polishes glass and crystals
Windows, glass ornaments and glass utensils can be polished with equal parts of warm water and white vinegar. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and spray the area you want to clean and then for a microfiber cloth. Maximum cleanliness!
Removes grease and disinfects the oven or microwave oven
If your oven, or microwave over are, like, totally covered with grease and food residuals, Don’t worry, you are not alone! There are many ways to take advantage of its disinfectant properties. The best one, without a doubt, is to prepare a paste with baking soda, vinegar, and lemon and apply it with a sponge, leave it for a couple of hours and remove the remains of food and burnt residues.
Note: A cloth wetted with this product is also ideal for cleaning the refrigerator inside and out.
Bad smells? Vinegar fights them!
Yes, in addition to polishing and cleaning metals, pots and appliances, it is capable of preventing and repelling unpleasant odors in the environment, such as, for example, garbage cans, fish after cooking or dirt from pets. Just make a solution of white vinegar and water, pour it into a spray bottle, and spray the stinky area on dishcloths, dishwasher, washing machine or countertop.
Goodbye stains and spots!
Exactly as you read it, this liquid helps to disinfect, dissipate bad odour and remove limescale in places such as the shower, faucets, the showerhead, and even in the kettle and coffee maker. Apply this product directly, leave it to act for several hours and scrub to remove the encrusted scale.
Removes water stains on wood
If you have left a glass with cold water and the dripping outside has caused a mark that is difficult to remove, make a mixture of vinegar and vegetable oil of your choice, soak a cloth and wipe it countless times in the direction of the wood. Finally, dry and rub to polish.
Do not forget that, although it is a good disinfectant, this is not its initial function, so it does not totally eliminate bacteria and viruses. White vinegar, which has a concentration of 3% to 5% (suitable for consumption), should not be confused with the specific cleaning vinegar with a concentration of 8%, which should not be ingested for anything in the world.
Disinfect your produce
When you buy fruits and vegetables, they do not always come clean and ready to consume, so it is better to disinfect them with some liquid that is safe for human consumption. As you can already guess, that liquid is white vinegar. If you buy, for example, apples, you can fill a container (or the kitchen sink) with water and add a small splash of vinegar, and then dip the fruits and leave them for a while.
Acetic acid will kill bacteria and other microorganisms and leave your apples ready for a rich mid-afternoon snack, or to bake a great apple pie.