Welcome to Frugal Living Friday! Each week I will feature a tip that can help us stretch our budget and live more frugally! If you have a tip that you want shared on Frugal Living Friday, let me know and you could become a guest blogger for a day.
Do you know about the amazing powers of vinegar? You really don't need to be spending all that money on various cleaning supplies at Walmart....vinegar will clean almost anything! It is extremely cheap, good on the environment and safe around children and pets. Vinegar has been around for thousands of years, and is really one of the best things you can always have on hand. There are over 1000 uses for vinegar that I could find, probably more! Check out the tips on the websites listed here.
Vinegar Tips
Cleaning with Vinegar
Vinegar: The only cleaner you will ever need
The Vinegar Institute
Here are some of my favorite uses for vinegar:
- cleaning out my washing machine. Ever notice how there sometimes gets to be a film on the inside of the machine? Or it might just smell a little? Well, fill the washer with hot water, pour in about 3/4 c. vinegar and let agitate for several minutes. Then let sit overnight. In the morning, let agitate again for several minutes, then rinse well.
- cleaning windows. I pour water into an empty spray bottle, add a few Tbl of vinegar and mix well. It does a great job cleaning my windows.
- cleaning the shower. Stop spending money on those 'clean shower' sprays! Use a mixture of vinegar and water after you shower and it keeps the mildew away. Also, spraying full strength vinegar on your shower doors and letting it sit before spraying it off will help get off water deposits.
- making my own buttermilk. I never buy buttermilk...I always make my own! Mix in 1 Tbl vinegar to 1 cup milk, and let it sit for at least 5 minutes. Whalla...Buttermilk! I always use this in recipes and no one can tell the difference.
- cleaning the microwave. To make cleaning your microwave easy, get a bowl of water, mix in a few Tbl of vinegar and put in the microwave for about 1 minute on high. The hot water will steam up the caked-on food, and wipe up will be a breeze...not to mention having a fresher smelling microwave!
12 comments:
I don't use vinegar but have heard lots about it lately so I need to start using it. I've also heard using it for cleaning the dishwasher. Put some in the bottom of your dishwasher during a wash. I'll have to look it up to see how much. I found it on PYP.
I found it - use 1 cup of vinegar. Some people do it once a week, but probably less than that is okay.
I love using vinegar to clean with. I blogged about a couple of the ways I use it, here:
http://ajshermanfamily.blogspot.com/2008/06/environmentally-friendly-cleaning.html
I love that it is so cheap, but cleans so well!
I use it to clean practically everything! You can also use it as a fabric softener--just add 1/2 cup to a downy ball or fabric softener dispenser. An added benefit is that it helps avoid detergent build up on your clothes, which is great for those with sensitive skin.
Wow. I did not know vinegar was so useful. Thanks Marne!
I have always used vinegar to clean with. I love how it keeps my wood floors cleaner than soap (dirt sticks to any soap residue) Plus, you can drop essential oils in it to make it smell better if you can't handle the scent.
Here's another tip I learned about vinegar today. I bought red fleece to make pjs. The lady told me to soak it in vinegar water before I use it to prevent bleeding of the color! Wow! She just saved me a batch of clothes from getting all red!!
Great tips everyone! Thanks for sharing.
Wow interesting! I would have never thought of cleaning with it. My one question though, doesn't it make everything stink??? I can't imagine using it as a fabric softener because vinegar smells so strong and bad.
I haven't used it as a fabric softener, Mallory so I can't vouch for the smell. But when I clean with it it isn't too bad. I love cleaning my washing machine with it.
What kind of vinegar? Apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar?
I use white vinegar, and I believe that is the kind talked about on the links I posted too. I may be wrong on some, but I think it will specify which kind. But I like the white vinegar. Hope that helps!
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