12 Things You Can Clean Better With Just Vinegar

If you’re looking for a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to keep your home sparkling, vinegar just might be your new best friend.

You can save money and reduce chemical use in your home cleaning routine, all while saving money!

You’ll be amazed at how many different things you can clean with it.

Vinegar’s natural acidity makes it a brilliant alternative to chemical-based cleaners. It can tackle stubborn stains and disinfect surfaces without leaving harsh residues.

No time to read this now?

Click here to save this idea for later!

↓↓↓↓↓

Heads up: I sometimes use affiliate links. When you click these links and make a purchase, I may get a small commission. It won’t cost you anything but it helps me to run this site.

It’s versatile enough to handle grime in the kitchen and bathroom, and even beyond.

For best results, I recommend using distilled white vinegar. It is colorless, and I’ve always found it the best sort for cleaning.

Vinegar’s cleaning powers

In a nutshell, here’s where vinegar excels as a cleaning agent:

• Breaks down soap scum. Vinegar primarily contains acetic acid. Acetic acid works as a solvent, breaking down stains, dirt. This makes it especially effective in dealing with soap scum in your bathroom.
• Cutting through grease. The acetic acid in the vinegar disrupts the chemical structure of oils, making them easier to wash away.
• Shiny stainless steel. Using vinegar can be beneficial in maintaining stainless steel appliances. The acid removes grime without scratching surfaces, leaving your appliances looking shiny.
• Dissolves limescale. An acidic solution can neutralize alkaline substances, such as limescale. This makes vinegar excellent at removing hard water stains. The low pH helps break down these mineral deposits effectively.
• Dealing with odors. For cleaning purposes, the acidic nature of vinegar is also useful for neutralizing odors. It can tackle smoke and cooking smells, leaving a fresh scent behind. Keep in mind that while effective, vinegar’s acidity can sometimes be too harsh for delicate materials.

Now we know the powers of vinegar, let’s look at it in more detail.

Vinegar in your kitchen

Using vinegar in your kitchen is a great way to tackle tough spots, such as greasy appliances, clogged drains, and dull stainless steel surfaces.

Degreasing stove tops

Stubborn grease on stove tops and kitchen appliances can be a real headache.

• Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
• Spray the mixture onto the grease stains and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Use a sponge or cloth to wipe away the grease.

Microwaves

For microwave interiors, place a bowl of vinegar inside and heat on high for a few minutes. The steam will loosen food particles, making it easy to wipe away.

Clearing clogged drains and garbage disposals

Vinegar can help keep your drains and garbage disposals clear.

Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. Follow this with half a cup of baking soda, then a cup of vinegar. You’ll hear fizzing as vinegar and baking soda react together. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.

After that, flush the drain with another pot of boiling water. This method helps break down organic matter and keeps your plumbing running smoothly.

For garbage disposals, add half a cup of vinegar and let it sit for a while before running hot water along with the disposal to flush it out.

Polishing stainless steel and glass surfaces

To restore shine to stainless steel and glass surfaces, vinegar is perfect.

Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle, in a ratio of 1:1. Lightly mist the surface and wipe with a microfiber cloth. You’ll notice your stainless steel appliances gleaming without any streaks. Vinegar’s acidity helps dissolve mineral deposits on glass, too.

For a more polished look, apply a few drops of olive oil after cleaning and buff with a clean cloth. Your kitchen surfaces will look pristine and well-maintained, all with minimal effort and simple household ingredients.

Cleaning your dishwasher

If your dishwasher has a build-up of scum and food debris, you can use vinegar to clean and sanitize it.

Here’s more on how to clean your dishwasher naturally.

Descaling your kettle

If you live in a hard water area, you’ll know how annoying it can be to find your kettle furring up with limescale deposits. Vinegar is a great way to keep on top of the problem.

• Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water.
• Let the solution sit in the kettle for at least 30 minutes.
• Rinse and then boil with fresh water.

Here’s more on how to descale your kettle with vinegar.

Descaling your iron

Irons are another household item that can be damaged by limescale build-up.

Here’s how to get your iron working perfectly again with vinegar:

• Mix equal parts of white vinegar and distilled water and pour into your iron’s water reservoir.
• Plug in the iron and set it to the steam setting. Allow it to heat up until the steam function is ready.
• Once heated, press the steam button several times to release steam. This helps to loosen any mineral deposits inside the steam vents.
• Let then iron cool, then empty the water reservoir, discarding the vinegar solution.
• Fill the reservoir with distilled water, then repeat the steaming process to rinse out any remaining vinegar, then empty again.

Vinegar in your bathroom

Vinegar is your secret weapon for making your bathroom sparkle. It helps clear soap scum and lime deposits while disinfecting toilets and showers naturally and effectively.

Soap scum and limescale deposits

Soap scum and hard watermarks can make your bathroom look dull. To tackle these, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

Spray generously on glass shower doors, tiles, and faucets. Let it sit for a few minutes for more stubborn build-up. Then, using a soft brush or sponge, gently scrub the areas.

Next, rinse thoroughly with water to remove any residue, and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth. This helps prevent water spots and keeps surfaces shiny.

For tough grime, apply undiluted vinegar to those spots for extra power. Regular maintenance is key, so keep up this routine weekly for best results.

Toilets and showers

Vinegar is a safe and natural disinfectant for your bathroom.

Pour half a cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a toilet brush. This breaks down stains without harsh chemicals.

For shower disinfecting, fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar.

Completely spray down the shower walls and floor, focusing on areas with mold or mildew. Once sprayed, let the vinegar sit for about 10 minutes.

Use a brush to scrub any persistent spots, especially in grout lines. Rinse with warm water to wash away the vinegar and any loosened grime.

Vinegar for your laundry

Vinegar can be a game-changer in your laundry routine. It does wonders as a natural fabric softener and excels at brightening whites and colors.

Fabric softener replacement

Skip the store-bought fabric softeners and grab some vinegar!

Adding half a cup to your final rinse cycle softens your clothes naturally. It also helps reduce static cling without the heavy perfumes and chemicals.

Vinegar is gentle on sensitive skin. Unlike many traditional softeners, it leaves no residue and keeps clothing fresh. If you have hard water, vinegar can help break down the minerals that make clothes feel stiff.

Another bonus is the deodorizing effect. Vinegar effectively neutralizes odors, making your gym clothes smell fresh again.

Brightening whites and colors

Keeping your whites crisp and colors vibrant is easy with vinegar.

For whites, add a cup of vinegar to your wash cycle. It helps remove dinginess and restores that fresh look without bleaching agents.

For colored items, vinegar acts as a gentle brightener. Adding half a cup during the wash minimizes fading and keeps colors vivid.

It sets dyes in newly bought clothes, reducing the risk of color bleeding.

Additionally, vinegar is excellent at dissolving detergent residues. This ensures that your fabrics maintain their true shades and don’t suffer from buildup.

Other amazing uses for vinegar

Vinegar is not just for the kitchen; it offers practical solutions for various household tasks. From refreshing wooden surfaces to controlling weeds, it’s a versatile tool that deserves a place in your cleaning arsenal.

Renewing wooden surfaces

You might be surprised to learn that vinegar can refresh your wooden furniture.

Mix equal parts of vinegar and olive oil to create an effective solution for polishing and cleaning wood.

Simply apply the mixture with a soft cloth, gently rubbing it into the surface. This method is great for removing dirt and adding a nice shine.

Be sure to wipe any excess solution so it doesn’t leave the wood greasy.

Avoid using vinegar on untreated or significantly damaged wood, as it might not be suitable. This simple trick can bring a new life back to your old wooden furniture.

Natural weed killer

Imagine a chemical-free solution for your garden’s weeds.

Vinegar is a natural weed suppressant due to its acetic acid content.

For best results, take full-strength vinegar and spray directly onto the weeds on a clear, sunny day.

The sunlight enhances the vinegar’s effectiveness, helping it to wither the weeds faster. This method works well for small and newly emerged weeds, but might require repeated applications for tougher plants.

Ensure you target only the weeds, as vinegar doesn’t discriminate and can harm your other garden plants.

Taking a natural approach can be both eco-friendly and cost-effective for your gardening tasks.