In my on-going effort to be more "green" I have recently discovered (ok, maybe re-discovered) vinegar. Such a simple product and oh so CHEAP!
Vinegar has become my new fabric softener! It is a natural water softener, cleanser, disinfectant, and brightener! So, you can put 1/2 cup (or so) in the wash to help with a stain or odor, and 1/2 cup in the fabric softener dispenser. It also helps keep lint from sticking to your clothes in the dryer (the fact that you used it in the washer--to clarify). I find that it works really well! I love that I am disinfecting things like towels, underwear, and socks AND neutralizing odors. It is also great because I have respiratory allergies that scented fabric softeners can aggravate (a walk down the fabric softener aisle at the store can require the use of an inhaler!). Now, you may be wondering about the smell--vinegar is not so pleasant to the olfactory system. You may smell it faintly as you take clothes out of the wash, but it dissipates as they dry--you do not smell it at all once clothes are dry (either in the dryer or line-dried). Another bonus is that it cleans your washing machine and is good for your pipes!
Vinegar is also my new dishwasher aid. I was having a hard time with spotty and sometimes not completely clean dishes coming out of my dishwasher. Adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher (in addition to my dishwasher detergent) has made a HUGE difference. You can also put it in the rinse agent slot (like Jet-dry).
There are tons of other ways to use vinegar in cleaning your home. An inexpensive, natural disinfectant that doesn't pollute our water ways or fill our homes with unsafe vapors to breathe! What more could you ask for? (Okay--I admit, it could smell better coming out of the bottle, but we can't have it all, dear! I will say, that in using it, it does not make my house smell like vinegar.)
For more ideas on how to save money AND green up your home, check out these websites on using vinegar for cleaning. There are MANY more out there too! Next, I will start experimenting with baking soda. I'll let you know how it goes!
Frugal Fun
Vinegar Tips
OK, call me inexperienced...but does it have to be a certain type of vinegar?
ReplyDeleteBaking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide are big in our home. I used to use Vinegar on the cloth diapers... but its almost 14 yrs since I've had to do that... guess I got out of the habit.... Will have to buy a jug and try it again :)
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