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EveryLastPenny.com reader Sharon S. writes :
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Household products can be quite expensive. You can use the old fashioned cleaning methods that usually work just as well. For instance, use vinegar.
To clean your windows:
Just mix a solution of 50 % water with 50% vinegar. Put it in a spray bottle, spray your window and wipe (for some extra fun use a scrunched up newspaper to wipe the vinegar mix off the window, believe it or not, you'll get the shiniest windows.
To wash your floor:
Wipe or mop your no-wax floors with a mixture of 2 quarts of water and 1/4 cup of vinegar.
To get rid of mineral buildups:
Get rid of mineral buildups and odors in your coffee maker by running half a pot of vinegar through it. To rinse, follow with a pot of clear water.
Make your bathroom sparkle by getting rid of all those mineral buildups, whether on your taps, around your shower doors or where your sink has been dripping. Dampen cloths or paper towels with vinegar and cover the area that has the buildup. Let soak for 15 minutes and rinse off. The buildup will go with it.
The stain that builds up in the saucer under your plants comes right out by soaking in a 50/50 vinegar solution (sometimes needs an hour).
Spray buildup on brick or limestone with the same mixture to get rid of calcium buildup (just leave for an hour and hose off)
If your shower head seems to be delivering water slower than it was before, tie a plastic bag filled with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar over your shower head to remove buildups. If your shower head is on a removable bar, you can just put a bowl of vinegar mixture in your tub and soak the shower head in it for an hour.
Grease:
Use vinegar anywhere you might use a grease cleaner in various states of dilution.
Odors:
Vinegar is wonderful for removing odors, won't cause those allergic reactions that people have to artificial air fresheners and can save a lot of money. You can make a mixture of 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 Tsp vinegar and 2 cups of water. Stir it and after it stops foaming, put it in a spray bottle. Spray wherever it is needed.
If you have strong odors you want to get rid of such as animal odors, tobacco smoke, fish or burnt odors, put a small amount of vinegar in several small bowls and distribute throughout the house. Remove after 15 minutes and the smell will dissipate quickly. If you have ongoing odors, you can use cider vinegar in small bowls hidden around the house and just leave them in place to eliminate odors (replace once a week).
When you're in a hurry to get rid of odors, just warm vinegar on the stove and let it sit for 5 minutes. It will get rid of the odor quickly.
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Wow Sharon S., thanks for such a great series of tips! I've never tried these tips... can a person dilute the solutions even further to reduce the smell of the vinegar?
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