Vinegar is one of the most ideal liquids to use for cleaning around the home as it has no fumes or chemical additives.
It is also inexpensive and easy to obtain.
The acidity of vinegar makes it an ideal cleaner, either undiluted or mixed with other cleaning fluids and powders.
Cleaners that you make up for your own use are very economical and much safer for you and your family to use.
Always test vinegar solutions if you have not used them before.
Try using the cleanser on a small inconspicuous area first.
Vinegar can dissolve wax or polish on floors and it can also remove colour from fabrics, just like any other cleanser.
Therefore use it in small amounts until you are sure of the results.
okay, let's get on with some cleaning tips to save heaps of money and make your home a safer place to live in for you and your family.
Air Freshener:
Place 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a spray bottle and add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 2 cups of clean water.
After the foaming has stopped, replace the cap and shake well.
Ant Repellent:
Wipe the effected area with a solution of half vinegar and half water to keep the ants at bay.
Brass Cleaner:
Prepare a paste using vinegar mixed with 1 tablespoon of flour and 2 teaspoons of salt.
Make sure to add enough vinegar to make a thick paste.
Apply to the metal with a clean cloth.
Brushes:
brushes that have hardened dirt or paint on them can be boiled in undiluted vinegar.
Leave to soak for 1 hour and then wash off the dirt or paint with hot soapy water.
Burnt Pots and Pans:
Cover the burnt area with an equal quantity of vinegar and water and bring to the boil.
Remove from the heat and let stand overnight.
Carpet Shampoo:
Try this solution in a small inconspicuous area of your carpet first to make sure the colour will not be removed.
Add 1 cup of vinegar to 5 litres of water, clean the carpet with a soft brush dipped in the solution.
Carpet Stains:
Mix 150ml(6fl oz) white vinegar with 1 teaspoon of borax and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Lightly rub the stain with a clean cloth soaked in the solution.
Soak the stain with clean water after the stain is removed and allow to dry.
Chewing Gum:
You can dissolve chewing gum from carpets,upholstery and clothing by applying hot vinegar to the gum.
Copper Cleaner:
Mix together equal amounts of lemon juice and vinegar.
Clean the copper with a paper towel dampened with the solution.
Polish with a soft,dry cloth.
Cutlery Polisher:
Mix together a solution of 2 tablespoons of vinegar with 1 teaspoon of borax and 2 cups of hot water.
Immerse the cutlery in the mixture and then rinse in hot soapy water.
Drain Cleaner:
Make a solution of 200ml (8fl oz) vinegar with 75g (3oz) of baking soda.
Pour directly into the drain and leave for 10 minutes.
Then run clean hot water down the drain to clear the grease and debris.
Clogged Shower-Head:
Dismantle the shower-head and soak the pieces in a bowl of white vinegar for about 2 to 3 hours.
Clean off any sediment with a stiff brush.
Clothes Brightener:
Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle after washing the clothes.
Crystal:
After washing the crystal glassware, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to the water for rinsing, this will add that extra sparkle.
Ink Stains:
Soak the stained fabric in milk for 1 hour.
Mix up a paste of vinegar and cornflour, and cover the stain.
When it has dried, wash the fabric in the normal way.
Leather Polisher:
Spray the leather with undiluted lavender vinegar and polish with a soft cloth.
Leather Softener:
Mix 150ml (6fl oz) of hot lavender vinegar with 150ml (6fl oz) of olive oil, blend well.
Microwave Ovens:
Sometimes the smell of cooked foods is difficult to remove from our microwave ovens, especially fish.
Try heating a quarter cup of vinegar diluted with 1 cup water in the microwave.
Mildew on Curtains:
Add 150ml (6fl oz) of lavender vinegar to the water when washing and another cup when rinsing.
Paint Removal From Glass:
Rub the paint with hot undiluted vinegar to soften and then remove the paint and clean the glass in the normal way.
Painted Surface Cleaner:
The following cleaner will make your painted surfaces shine like never before.
Mix up a thin paste of 15g (1/2 oz) of cornflour, 30ml (1fl oz) of vinegar and 275ml (10fl oz) of hot water.
Perspiration and Deodorant Stains:
Dab the affected area with undiluted white vinegar then wash in the normal way.
Rust Stains:
Soak the affected area with vinegar, then rub salt into the stain.
Allow to dry and then wash in the normal way.
Scorch Marks:
Lightly rub the scorched cloth with a lint-free cloth soaked in vinegar.
If heavily marked, continue to rub lightly with a silver coin.
Slimey Sponges:
Soak the sponge in 1 tablespoon of vinegar mixed with 570ml (20fl oz) of water for 1 hour and then rinse thoroughly.
Stains on Aluminium Pans:
Pour a solution of vinegar and water in equal parts into the stained pan.
Bring to the boil and soak overnight.
Tea and Coffee Stains:
Soak china and glassware in hot vinegar, then wash in the normal way.
For stubborn stains on cups and pots, add 1 teaspoon of salt to a little of the hot vinegar and rub onto stain.
Windows,Mirrors and Glass-Tops:
To clean glass add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to a small bucket of warm water.
To polish, buff the surface with a clean dry cloth.
