Most people have heard about white vinegar’s cleaning properties, and whilst it makes a great cleaner in certain circumstances it is not a go-to for all cleaning situations and surfaces – but it can do so much more than just clean!
It’s completely non-toxic, and as an added bonus it kills approximately 90% of bacteria, so whilst not a disinfectant it does a good job of removing many potentially harmful bacteria.
Why can’t white vinegar clean everything?
Ordinary dirt and grime often contain fats and oils, and because oil and water (or oil and vinegar for that matter) do not mix, vinegar can not bind with these fats and oils to clean them away. To do this you need some form of soap.
However, vinegar is GREAT at removing soap scum, so works brilliantly as a rinse for a soapy surface, provided it isn’t frosted glass, stone or marble (which vinegar will damage).
What else can it do?
• Clean water spots, limescale and rust
• Clean the microwave – Mix equal parts vinegar and water, place in the microwave at full power until it’s full of steam. Leave the door closed and let the steaming mixture sit long enough to be safe to touch (but still hot), and then use it to wipe inner surfaces.
• Clean the toilet – Pour two cups into the toilet bowl, leave overnight, and then brush and flush.
• Act as a fabric softener:
• Remove stains – spray on to colour safe fabric and wipe or wash away.
Remove ammonia and sour milk smells – spray on the affected area and allow to dry.
And so much more! Get googlng for more ideas.
Is it really sustainable?
It’s important to choose a white vinegar that is a distilled version of a natural vinegar – for example, Sarson’s white vinegar is distilled brown malt vinegar (that we put on our chips) which is made from malting barley.
Make sure you read the ingredients label of your white vinegar – if it says something like “barley”, “grain alcohol/spirits,” or “wine,” you’ll know the vinegar was made with things like grains or grapes. And avoid anything that says synthetic alcohol, as this may have been derived from fossil fuels!
Written By: Mel IG @wastefreemummy
For more information and the full article, see: https://thewastereductionshop.com/blog/zero-waste-superstar-white-vinegar
By Mel Jensen