Many people turn to vinegar as their go-to cleaning agent when they need to clean just about anything. Call it words from an old wives tale or tried and true cleaning tips, but vinegar is an inexpensive way to get many things around your home clean. But, before you go out and by a huge bottle, you should know that some things in your house should never come in contact with vinegar. Let’s get started with vinegar cleaning tips from MaidLuxe, a professional cleaning service.
Why Vinegar?
Before we get down and dirty with vinegar cleaning tips, do you know why it’s such a popular cleaning agent? It all has to do with its acidity. When you taste vinegar, you get an acidic and bitter aftertaste in your mouth. When you use it to clean, those same acidic properties are what are used to clean so many things in your home.
Distilled white vinegar, which is usually the vinegar of choice when it comes to cleaning, has a pH of 2.4. That’s more acidic than the cup of coffee or orange juice you drank this morning. It’s that acidic level that makes it great to get rid of soap scum and even the glue that stickers leave behind. In fact, sometimes vinegar is too acidic, so it gets watered down or mixed with other things before it’s used as a cleaning agent.
What Can I Clean with Vinegar?
Get ready to take some notes because there are so many things that can be cleaned with vinegar. While you can call a cleaning service to take care of other housekeeping needs, certain items that are usually not included in the cleaning list. Check out these items that Today featured that can be cleaned using vinegar.
Automatic Coffee Pot
Vinegar works very well to clean automatic coffee makers. Instead of filling the reservoir with water to brew coffee, fill it with white vinegar and run a brew cycle (without the coffee ground of course). When it’s done, empty the carafe and run a cycle with just plain water to get the vinegar smell out of the reservoir. You may need to do this a few times to kill the acidity, but your coffee pot never looked so clean!
Clean Dishes
If you have a dishwasher, you can add about 1 ½ cups to the bottom of the dishwasher. Wash on a regular cycle using your normal dishwasher detergent to get cleaner dishes and glasses.
Clean Copper, Brass, & Pewter Around Your Home
If you notice tarnish on any copper, brass, or pewter items in your home, you can mike ½ cup of white distilled vinegar with 1 teaspoon of salt. It will make a paste that you can apply to the metal. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing with water. Dry it with a soft cloth and see the sparkling results!
Wine Stains
You may enjoy your wine when you’re drinking it, but you won’t enjoy it once it’s stained your couch or clothing. If at all possible, attack wine stains within 24 hours. Sponge distilled vinegar onto all cotton, cotton/polyester, and permanent press fabrics until the stain disappears. If it’s on clothing, wash it as directed. If it’s on a couch, blot it with a wet cloth and let dry.
Pesky Weeds
When you’re done using vinegar to clean inside of your home, take some outside to kill those pesky weeds. No need to buy expensive weed killer. Pour full-strength white distilled vinegar on any weeds you’ve wanted to get rid of. Watch how fast they disappear!
What Can’t I Clean with Vinegar?
While there are many things you can clean with vinegar that will come out sparkling, there are many others that it can damage. You’ll want to keep vinegar far away from the following areas:
Granite & Marble Countertops
If you use vinegar on a granite or marble countertop you run the risk of etching away the stone. Stick with mild dish detergent and warm water for these daily counter wipedowns.
Stone Floor Tiles
If you have stone floors in your kitchen or bathroom using vinegar to clean them can ruin the natural stone.
Waxed Furniture
Wooden, waxed furniture should never have a date with vinegar. You’ll strip the wax this way, resulting in a dull finish. Stick with furniture polish here.
Greasy Surfaces
While vinegar is great for sticky surfaces, the same is not true for greasy ones. It just doesn’t work because it’s an acid. Instead, use an alkaline-based soap for greasy messes.
Irons
Some people assume that since white vinegar is great to clean coffee pots, the same must be true for irons. Nope! Using vinegar to clean your iron can actually damage it. If you use your iron frequently and it needs to be cleaned, follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Your Computer Monitor or Smartphone
Vinegar is a big no-no when it comes to cleaning your computer monitor and smartphone. Vinegar can ruin the coating on either screen, resulting in more problems than some pesky dirt was causing. A micro-fiber cloth is a much better option. There’s no liquid on it and no acid to damage your screens.
Contact Us if You Need a Professional Cleaning Service!
While these vinegar cleaning tips are helpful, there will be times when you want to call a cleaning service to do the heavy cleaning around your house. Call the team at Maid Luxe. They will dust all surfaces, vacuum the floors, wipe off blinds and ceiling fans, and even make your bed! You can choose from a variety of service packages to find the one that best suits your needs.
Call Maid Luxe today at 713-242-8935 to get started and to learn about our cleaning service options and find out how easy it is to get your home sparkling clean.
