The hype of lobbies highlighting household products dedicated to each room of the house to make it clean and sanitized is over! Today, I make you discover or rediscover a natural, non-polluting, multi-purpose and terribly effective product: white vinegar .
What is white vinegar?
Also called "alcohol vinegar" or "crystal vinegar", this colorless and inexpensive liquid found in the oils and vinegars department will become, after reading this post, your best ally for a "green" household .
100% natural , white vinegar is usually made from sugar beets. It is also found from corn or wheat.
How to choose your white vinegar?
The percentage indicated on the container corresponds to its acidity level . For food use we opt for a white vinegar between 5 - 10% and rather between 10 - 15% for household use. Indeed, its strong acidity makes it more efficient. An 8% alcohol vinegar is a good compromise for all uses . If the water is very hard in your area, choose a higher acidity for cleaning and descaling.
An organic white vinegar is respectful of the mode of agriculture of the plants used for its manufacture.
How to use white vinegar for cleaning?
White vinegar is the most economical of all cleaning products. Completely biodegradable and non-toxic, it will be your multi-purpose ally for:
Descale
It is a powerful descaler and anti-limestone thanks to its acidity. It descales taps, shower heads or tile joints. To use, simply spray on the desired area and leave on for twenty minutes to several hours, then rub and rinse with clear water. You can use the loofah sponge, completely vegetable, to do a 100% natural cleaning.
For electrical appliances such as the kettle or the coffee maker, it will simply be necessary to heat half the water and half the white vinegar then rinse with clear water several times. In a short cycle, a cup of white vinegar in the washing machine or the dishwasher helps to maintain them well.
Degrease
As a replacement for rinse aid in the dishwasher, white vinegar makes dishes shine . Mixed with water, it easily replaces window, tile and shower screen cleaner .
Disinfect
White vinegar can replace bleach thanks to its anti-microbial action for cleaning toilets or bathrooms. It is not virucidal.
Maintain the laundry
White vinegar removes encrusted odors such as perspiration or urine, softens textiles, fixes and enhances colours. Perfect as a replacement for your usual fabric softener . However, use sparingly to prevent the acidity from eating away at the seals due to excessive use.
Deodorize
Clean your refrigerator with a cloth dampened with water and white vinegar to remove food odors . Deodorize the trash can, a carpet with a stain of cat urine or your microwave by heating a bowl of white vinegar. Finished the apple with a funny taste because cut on the same cutting board as an onion. Clean it with white vinegar!
Maintain the pipes
Pouring white vinegar from time to time into the siphon and the pipes helps to maintain the pipes and avoid the rise of bad smells.
How to get rid of the smell of white vinegar?
The smell dissipates a few minutes after use. If the smell of white vinegar discourages you from using it, I have an infallible tip for you. Right here you will find a simple and quick recipe for infused white vinegar that will make you completely forget that you are using vinegar!
Things not to do with white vinegar
White vinegar is fine, but be careful never to mix it with bleach . On contact with each other, toxic fumes are released.
The idea of mixing bicarbonate (neutral PH) with vinegar (acid PH) is not wise. An acid effect + a basic effect cancel each other out , it's chemistry. After the foamy reaction, this mixture has no effectiveness.
White vinegar can be used on almost any surface except wood, marble, and other limestone . These materials absorb vinegar and it can leave permanent stains. You risk damaging your floors, furniture or worktops through use.
White vinegar and Zero Waste
White vinegar eliminates a large part of the various plastic bottles of household products in the house. This therefore makes it a good option to reduce waste. However, it is true that its container (one liter plastic bottle) can qualify the previous statement. Thus, to limit waste you can opt for large capacities such as 5L cans without worrying about conservation. Indeed, white vinegar does not expire . You can also find bulk white vinegar at some grocery stores. The price per liter can sometimes be more expensive.