Vinegar: one of the most effective natural cleaning products

Forget about commercial cleaning products for disinfecting and cleaning surfaces at home; vinegar will do the job just as well, without chemicals and at very little cost! Here's everything you need to know about using it and how to prepare an easy mixture.

• Add 125 millilitres (1/2 cup) of vinegar in the rinse cycle to keep the dishwasher clean.
• Degrease glasses with 45 millilitres (three tablespoons) vinegar in the dishwater.
• Soak showerheads overnight in diluted vinegar to dissolve limestone.
• Remove soap scum on shower screens with one part vinegar mixed with two parts salt. Rub with a cloth, rinse and dry.
• Prevent mold with 10 grams (two teaspoons) of borax mixed with 250 millilitres (one cup) vinegar. Apply with a cloth, leave on for 30 minutes and wipe.
• Wipe the refrigerator with vinegar and scrub with a sponge dipped in vanilla essence.
• Scrub mold in the joints of the refrigerator door with an old toothbrush dipped in vinegar.
• Soak your rags overnight in a solution of boiling water, vinegar and a few drops of eucalyptus oil. Rinse thoroughly.
• Clean the microwave oven with steam. Heat a bowl filled with 250 millilitres (one cup) of water and 60 millilitres (1/4 cup) of vinegar for five minutes at maximum temperature. Once slightly cooled, use the liquid to clean the walls.

This spray, environmentally friendly and non-toxic, can be used on almost any surface (except marble) to wipe, clean and deodorize. If you don't have fresh plants, use essential oils instead.

Ingredients :

• Fresh or dried plants (or tea bags)
• Distilled white vinegar

Method:

1. Roughly chop one or two handfuls of lemon verbena, peppermint, rosemary, lemon balm or lavender, or put five to 10 bags of the same tea at the bottom of a wide-mouthed glass jar.
2. Fill with vinegar (if using bags, let itcool before). Close and let macerate a few days, then strain.
3. Transfer to a plastic spray bottle. This highly effective product is used undiluted, but an equal amount of water can also be added to it in case of less stubborn stains.

VinVinegar is a true cleaner and all purpose disinfectant — clearly a product of many miracles! Why clutter with a dozen commercial cleaning products when you can do everything with vinegar?