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Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024

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Vinegar gentle, all-purpose household cleaner

By Rachel Baker, The Spokesman-Review
Published: May 21, 2020, 6:00am

Spokane — White vinegar has long been a staple of household products for its versatility and natural disinfectant and odor-fighting properties.

Although it may not be as effective as commercial household disinfectants, and it is not effective against coronavirus, it is still a great option if you’re looking for something gentle and inexpensive. Here are a few areas around the house where vinegar especially comes in handy.

Blenders: Not only are blenders prone to getting small bits of food stuck in hard to reach areas, their plastic components may also pick up odors if not cleaned immediately after using. Freshen your blender by blending equal parts water and vinegar.

Kettles, coffee makers and to-go cups: Running a brew cycle through an automated coffee maker will help strip the components of old, bitter coffee taste, it will also remove mineral deposits like calcium buildup. This goes for aluminum and plastic to-go cups as well, which both tend to take on a coffee aftertaste. Boil equal parts water and vinegar in the kettle to remove mineral deposits, then pour the boiling vinegar and water mixture into your to-go cups and let it sit for a few minutes. Doing this regularly will keep all your beverage accessories fresh.

Dishwashers: Pour a cup of vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher and run a cycle at its hottest setting (some may even have a specific sanitizing cycle). This will strip the dishwasher of mineral deposits as well as disinfect any bacterial buildup.

Floors: Use 1/2 cup vinegar to two cups hot water and add your favorite essential oil scent if you like. This is a cheap cleaning solution and doesn’t leave any residue. If the floors are extra grimy, feel free to add some dish soap for harder to clean areas. You may need to go over that area again with a vinegar and water solution to make sure there is no soap residue left on the floor.

Glass: Combine 11/2 cups white vinegar with 2 tablespoons water and a pinch of cornstarch for fragrance-free and gentle glass cleaner. Try it on windows, mirrors and other glassware around the kitchen.

Laundry: Add a splash of vinegar to your laundry to neutralize odors (including mustiness and even pet urine), remove stains, soften the water (as hard water can dull clothes by leaving mineral residue) and whiten whites. .

Microwave: Microwave a bowl of two cups water and two tablespoons vinegar for about 5 minutes. Leave the door closed for another couple minutes to allow the steam to go to work. Food bits will soften and wipe right off and odors will be eliminated.

And a tip to celebrate spring and the start of home herb gardens: Making infused vinegars with your favorite herbs is not only simple, but makes for better smelling and more effective cleaners. Rosemary, mint, lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, cloves and cinnamon all make for great additions to vinegar solutions. Put 1/4 cup of your fresh (or dried if that’s all you have) herbs in a jar and cover them with about 1 1/2 cups vinegar, or more if needed to completely cover the herbs. Cover with a nonmetallic lid (to avoid corrosion) and let it sit in a dark place for a few weeks. Strain and store in a glass jar for a shelf life of at least a year.

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