DIY: Vinegar-Razing the Grimes!

In our household, we seldom use any exotic and expensive cleaning solution. We only exalt the efficiency and practicality of  VINEGAR. (Add Baking Soda on that list to be posted as different topic.) Here's why:

• Vinegar is Cheap - The 1-gallon for $3 at Walmart lasts for months compared to a few ounces of cleaning solution for $10 or more. 
• Vinegar has Multi-uses- I use this to clean very tough spots, e.g. Coffee maker- white rings in the carafe. Since it does not impact the absorbency characteristics of fabrics, this is what I used to soften my laundry. See my previous blog for the recipe: http://treasuresinthemundane.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-tale-behind-our-broken-microwave.html And guess what my main ingredient for adobo is? That's right... Vinegar!
• Vinegar is Safe- So safe I use it to cook.
• Vinegar is really Effective- When I was searching on the internet for the most effective, natural and cheap cleaning solution, vinegar was suggested many times. There's no harm in trying so I did. To my surprise 30 minutes after soaking the oven shelves with half vinegar and half water, it did everything for me.

So now that you're convinced about the amazing properties of vinegar, allow me to share with you directions as to how and and for what purpose I use it. I just did some of these this week so it's fresh from memory. Otherwise, other steps will then be on a different post after I finalize our 2015 binder wherein I consolidated our household Command Center, Goals and Procedures and Budget.

Cleaning the Coffee Maker:

1. Fill the carafe or the coffee maker pot with vinegar then pour it to the water reservoir.

2. Run the coffee maker as if you're brewing coffee.

3. (I usually repeat # 2 at least twice with the same liquid) If the white rings are gone, proceed to step 4.

4. Run the coffee maker with water at least double the times you ran it with vinegar.

5. Enjoy your seemingly brand new coffee maker.

Cleaning the Microwave

(Ours is broke so I haven't done this in a while but it's so simple so here it goes:)

1. On a measuring glass, pour 50% water and 50%vinegar.

2. Microwave the mixture to at least 5 minutes.

3. (Be extra careful, the glass of mixture will be very hot.) Wipe the inside of the microwave with damp paper towel. The heavy grimes should easily come off.

4. Since your house will smell vinegary and it could be unpleasant to those around you, make a another mixture, this time with a cup of water and a tsp of vanilla and microwave for 5 minutes.

Cleaning the Oven Shelves

1. On any container big enough to hold the oven shelves (I used my bath tub, then cleaned it after), make a mixture of approximately 50-50 of hot water and vinegar to soak the shelves for 30 minutes to an hour.

2. You will notice the grimes coming off. After everything is completely off, wipe the shelves with damp cloth.

Cleaning the Shower Head

-When your shower seems to be plugged with mineral deposits so it can no longer spray evenly.-

1. Get a bucket of 50%hot water and 50%vinegar
2. Soak the shower head for at least an hour.
3. Run shower to test.

Cleaning the Windows and mirrors
-I always make a 50/50 solution (50% water + 50%vinegar)

1. Find empty spray bottles and fill with the solution.
2. Spray the glass surfaces.
3. Wipe with newspapers.

There are many more ways I use the vinegar at home but these are the only few I did this week, sans the microwave. 

On your next cleaning schedule, hopefully you won't have to spend a lot more time, money and energy since you already found your saving grace... the power of Vinegar.

These ideas are not solely mine but products of constant research and interviews from people who have done the same. Please spread the word so other can benefit as well.

Maria (Ehma) Porpio