Thursday, May 6, 2010

Helpful Tips: Using Distilled Vinegar for Household Cleaning

 
 When Andrew started crawling, I was a little concerned with the cleaning products I was using for our floors. I was using a Wet Swiffer at the time, and my feet would get this weird tingling feeling if the floors where still wet and I would feel this heaviness in my chest whenever I used it. Not good signs! 

So I searched for alternatives and found that using white distilled vinegar works just as good if not better than the cleaning products you buy in the store. It will kill most mold, bacteria and germs because of the level of acidity. Also, it's environmentally friendly and cost effective.

For a gallon of white distilled vinegar I pay around $2-3. It lasts me about 2-3 months for ALL my cleaning needs. When I first started using vinegar, I was having a hard time with the smell. That stuff is powerful! But then I discovered Citrus Essential Oils like Orange or Lemon Oils. I just add a couple drops of each to my all-purpose spray and it takes the smell away. Now I don't even notice it anymore. Also, lemon has anti-bacterial properties.

Note: Vinegar is not recommended for real hardwood floors. Apparently it takes the luster out of them. But all other floors, go at it with the vinegar! :)

 How much to use?
I use 1 part water to 1 part vinegar for my all-purpose cleaner. In my spray bottle, I fill it up halfway with water, the other half with white vinegar, and then I add a couple drops of Orange and Lemon Oil each. That's what I use to clean counter tops, bathrooms, bath tubs, etc. For washing the kitchen floors, I use 1 cup of vinegar per 1 gallon of water. Again, I add a couple drops of Orange and Lemon Oil each.
Check out the video I posted about what you can use vinegar for around your house. Also, check out this article that talks a little bit more about uses of vinegar, lemon and baking soda.


 You can usually find these essential oils at a natural food store or GNC. If you can't find them, you can order them on amazon here. 



2 comments:

Brenda P. said...

So I just used the swiffer wet mop and my feet felt tingly too! AHHH! I think I am definitely going to try this. Thanks for sharing.

Meal Planning Made Simple said...

That's funny Brenda! I used to like the swiffer because of how easy it was, but when I started using a sponge mop with the vinegar solution, it really didn't take that much longer. :)

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