Whether you have toddlers, or pets, or teenagers, or just a big, active household in general, there are a lot of messes being made every minute! If you’re like me, you probably find yourself reaching for some kind of cleaner many, many times a day.
Even though there are some decent mainstream options that don’t have tons of questionable chemicals, a lot of times these are not budget-friendly for a big household. This is when making your own simple cleaners with basic ingredients is the perfect solution. (No pun intended.) You can read more about all of the natural cleaning ingredients I use in this post.
White vinegar is one of the safest and most effective “green” ingredients for cleaning. It has natural disinfecting qualities and is very inexpensive (about $3 for a gallon). The vinegar-y smell goes away once it has dried, I promise. In fact, vinegar is very good at getting rid of other odors.
You can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to make it smell nicer if you like. A few of my favorite essential oils for cleaning are dōTERRA Purify, On Guard, Peppermint, Lemon, Wild Orange, and Melaleuca.
Some of my favorite oils to use for natural cleaning
My Favorite Everyday Uses For Vinegar
#1 Fabric softener and laundry deodorizer Just fill up the fabric softener compartment in your washer with white vinegar. Your clothes will come out softer, and it will also help remove odors if you have stinky dish towels or workout clothes.
#2 Hard water deposit remover Use on faucets, shower heads, glass shower doors, etc. Make sure you use caution on delicate finishes because vinegar is strong stuff!
#3 Spray deodorizer & disinfectant Mix a 1:1 ratio of water in a spray bottle for glass & mirrors, pet messes, pee on the walls (is it just my boys?), and more. Just DO NOT use it on granite or stone because it can cause damage to the surface over time.
#4 Microwave cleaning spray Spray the inside surfaces of your microwave and then heat a cup of water for a couple minutes. The food splatters will easily wipe right off with a cloth!
#5 Stainless steel pot & pan spray Give your dirty pots a spray and then let them sit for a couple minutes before washing. Food deposits will be much easier to remove.
I love that using natural ingredients like vinegar allows me to involve my kids in the cleaning tasks around the house without worrying about the chemicals they are being exposed to.
A gallon of white vinegar costs only a few dollars, so in addition to cutting down on the toxins in your home, it will save you money, too. Win, win!
What other ways do YOU use vinegar for cleaning around the house?
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