Simple Vinegar Cleaning Swaps That Actually Work

Many years ago, I switched to natural cleaning products. Since then, I’ve found a lot of great recipes, tricks, and shortcuts. They’ve not only taken the toxins out of daily life, but made our house cleaner, fresher, and faster to clean!

One of the simplest cleaning hacks I’ve found is something you probably already have in your pantry. 

Distilled white vinegar (also available in organic versions) is a cleaning powerhouse. I know, I know, you don’t want your house to smell like pickles. Don’t worry, the smell fades when it dries and you can easily mask it with a few drops of essential oil. 

How to Clean With Vinegar

There are so many things around the home that you can clean with vinegar. There are a few things though that vinegar can damage. Since vinegar is acetic acid, it has a low pH that can dissolve certain substances. 

Things You Should Not Clean With Vinegar

While vinegar is a weak acid, it’s still powerful enough to damage certain surfaces. Here are a few things around the home that could be damaged by cleaning with vinegar.

• Finished wood – I found adding a little vinegar to my mop bucket did great on my hardwood floors. However using too much or on certain types of wood can damage the finish. The same goes for furniture. 
• Mold – Yes, vinegar does kill mold and I have used it for that. However the danger is you may just be scratching the surface of a bigger problem. See more below. 
• Dishwashers and Washing Machines – Again, this one is controversial. Adding too much vinegar to these or using it too often can damage the rubber components over time. 
• Stone Countertops –  Vinegar can damage granite, marble, and natural stone countertops. 
• Tile grout – Using diluted vinegar on occasion is a great way to give sealed grout a deep clean. Too much and too often though can erode the grout. 

Here’s how I’ve used vinegar to clean around the house:

Stains

With lots of kids, I’ve gotten plenty of practice with stains. White clothes especially seem to attract stains like a magnet. The most effective treatment I’ve found so far is pouring undiluted vinegar onto the stain and washing as normal. This also works great for wine, tomato sauce, or other spills on carpet. Immediately pour vinegar on the area, wait a few minutes, and wipe up with a damp cloth.

If you’re dealing with really stubborn stains, here’s my DIY wine stain remover, and a guide to natural stain removal.

Window and Mirror Cleaner

Looking for that spot free shine? Vinegar is by far more effective than Windex or other window cleaners for windows and mirrors. Here’s how I use it:

1. Mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water in a spray bottle
2. Add 1-2 drops of essential oil (optional, my favorite is lemongrass)
3. Add 1/2 tsp of natural dish soap (optional)
4. Use to clean windows and mirrors

Mold Remover

One part borax mixed with four parts white vinegar in a spray bottle does wonders for mold. Just spray it onto non-porous surfaces, wait about an hour, and wipe up. The mold wipes right off. This works best for small areas of mold. 

If you notice mold in the home this can indicate a larger, more serious issue. The mold you see may just be the tip of the iceberg. Here’s more about toxic mold, how to tell if you have it, and what to do. 

Hardwood Floors

Our last house had all hardwood floors, and this meant a lot of mopping for me. I found that 1/3 to 2/3 cup of white vinegar in a gallon of warm water cleans hardwoods very quickly and easily. Be careful though as vinegar can damage certain wood finishes. Check with the manufacturer if possible before using vinegar on your floor. 

Toilet Cleaning

Vinegar is great for breaking down minerals on hard surfaces. When it comes to toilet cleaning, I like to pair it with baking soda. Pour a little baking soda into the toilet, add 1 cup of vinegar and let it bubble. Scrub and admire the shine. These toilet cleaning fizzies are also fun to use. 

Cleaning Cabinets

If you have food spots, oil buildup, or stains on your cabinets, vinegar works here too. Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water and scrub with a rag or sponge. The vinegar will cut any grease, leaving the cabinets clean and shiny.

All Purpose Cleaning With Vinegar

For everything else, you can easily make a homemade all purpose spray with vinegar. Here’s how to make it

1. Add 1 part white vinegar and 4 parts water to a spray bottle
2. Add 10-20 drops of essential oil (optional)
3. Add 1 tsp of natural dish soap

This spray works wonders on counter tops, high chair trays, baseboards, walls, appliances, floors, and everywhere else things can be dumped or spilled.

More Ways to Clean With Vinegar

• Faucets, showers, and bathtubs
• Add 1-2 cups of vinegar to the rinse cycle for softer laundry
• Use it to shine the kitchen sink or stovetop
• Clean and deodorize trash cans
• Use to descale a coffee maker (here are my favorite healthy ways to brew coffee)
• Rinse produce from the store with vinegar before eating
• Make a DIY dusting spray with diluted vinegar and oil

What are some of your favorite ways to use vinegar around the home? Leave a comment and let us know!