Cleaning With Vinegar

Vinegar is a mainstay of the old folk recipes for cleaning, and with good reason. The vim of the vinegar is that it kills bacteria, mold, and germs.

Numerous studies show that a 5% solution of vinegar—such as you can buy in the supermarket—kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). It is common knowledge in the industry that vinegar is powerfully antibacterial.

Just like antibiotics, common disinfectants found in sponges and household sprays may contribute to drug resistant bacteria, according to researchers of drug resistance at Tufts New England Medical Center. Furthermore, many commercial disinfectants are ineffective to begin with, just like antibiotics.

Uses

Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board, and in your bathroom, and use them for cleaning. It's helpful to spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don't even rinse, but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours.

Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.

Mix with water, and you have a great window and glass cleaner. Vinegar can be used on porcelain, countertops, and tile.

Add vinegar to the final rinse in your washing machine to eliminate residues. (Never mix vinegar and bleach!)

Vinegar also removes mildew and stains. Cleans glass, grout, fireplaces.

All Purpose Cleaner

50 mL baking soda
250 mL ammonia
125 mL white vinegar
4 L warm water

Drain Opener

250 mL baking soda
250 mL salt
125 mL white vinegar
1 kettle boiling water

Pour first 3 ingredients down drain and leave for about 15 minutes. Then pour down the boiling water.