Vinegar is a powerhouse in the kitchen, whether it’s adding oomph to a pie, rise to a cake, preserving berries, or adding zip to barbecue sauce. However, it’s not just for cooking. Long a secret of Southern grandmas, white vinegar is a natural, budget-friendly solution to keep your home sparkling. “Vinegar is seriously awesome for cleaning,” says Elizabeth Shields of Super Cleaning Service Louisville. “The best part is it’s super eco-friendly and won’t break the bank.”
This versatile liquid, which is probably already in your kitchen cabinet, is great for cutting through grease, removing stains, neutralizing odors, and tackling a variety of household tasks, like making the bathtub sparkle. We polled experts and they shared some of the many ways they use vinegar to keep their homes clean. One note of caution: Vinegar is so effective, because it is acidic. However, because it is so acidic, there are certain things in your house that vinegar can harm, so before you start cleaning, review this list of things you should never clean with vinegar.
Spot Clean Carpets and Couches
Got a small stain on the carpet or couch? Mix one-part water with one-part white vinegar and put it into a spray bottle. “Use the secret weapon to spray the stain, let it sit for about 5 minutes, then blot with a clean cloth,” suggests Ryan Knoll of Carpet Monkey a cleaning service. “This will lift the stain and remove the bad smell.”
Clean Your Kettles
“If you have an electric kettle with some build-up, fill 2/3 of it with an equal mixture of vinegar and water and boil it,” suggests Elena LeDoux of Superb Maids. “Let it sit for a while and cool down. Then rinse it out.”
Clean Your Fruits and Veggies
“Before munching on your favorite fruits and veggies, rinse in a mixture of water and vinegar (use a 3:1 ratio). This nifty combo helps remove pesticides and any lingering bacteria,” says Elizabeth Shields of Super Cleaning Service Louisville.
Get Your Laundry Extra Clean
“For clothes, add about a cup to your wash cycle to brighten whites, soften…