DIY Vinegar Formulas for Household Cleaning

Instead of spending six to ten pounds or even more per bottle for a cleaning product, you can make your own for a fraction of the cost without sacrificing quality. People have relied on natural formulas for years, and you will find they work just as well as commercial products.

Before you start making homemade cleaning formulas, buy some spray bottles or save such from commercial cleaners when they are empty. You can find spray bottles for sale at discount stores, grocery stores, dollar stores, and even flea markets. Look for a package of three or six bottles for the best price. If you save sprat bottles from a commercial product, always wash them out with hot soapy water and allow them to dry before using them for a homemade product. With a permanent black market, write on the outside the content of the bottle. Store your homemade formulas with the same care as you would any commercial formula; even though they are made from natural products, they should be kep out of the reach of small children.

Important note: When making your own cleaners, never combine chlorine bleach with vinegar, since it creates a harmful, potentially deadly gas.

Some ingredients (such as baking soda or soap) will make a white foam when added to vinegar. This is a natural chemical reaction that is not dangerous in an open container. Do not seal a vinegar mixture that is foaming in a tightly capped container. Let the foam die down before closing the top.

As with all other cleaning products, these homemade vinegar formulas need to be tested before using them. Always try them on a small hidden area of the clothes, carpet, upholstery, or whatever you are cleaning. While most of these formulas are not as harsh as commercial cleaning products, it's better to be safe than sorry.

One of the most famous natural cleaning alternatives

Note: Vinegar can dissolve pre-existing wax on furniture and floors. Use very small amounts of diluted formulas to clean and shine; use stronger solutions to remove was build-up and heavy dirt.

For generations our forefathers (or maybe “foremothers”) have been combining vinegar with other household supplies to clean all around the house. (In addition, most of them might have prepared vinegar themselves. Learn how to make vinegar by clicking here.) Store-bought cleaners are not always as environmentally safe as natural, organic compounds. Most homemade cleaning formulas can be made for a fraction of the cost of commercial counterpart. A number of substances are combined with vinegar to make the formulas below; here are some general guidelines to the more popular mixtures.

To vinegar add:

• baking soda to absorb odours, deodorize, and create a mild abrasive
• borax to desinfect, deodorize, and stop the growth of mold
• chalk for a mild, nonabrasive cleaner
• oil to preserve, polish and shine
• pumice to remove tough stains or polish surfaces
• salt for a mild abrasive
• washing soda to cut heavy grease
• wax to protect and shine

All-Purpose Cleaner

½ cup household ammonia

½ cup white vinegar

¼ cup baking soda

½ gallon of water

Combine ingredients in a glass or plastic bottle. This formula works for all sorts of general cleaning chores. Pour some into a spray bottle to keep handy.

All-Purpose Bath Cleaners

½ cup vinegar

1 cup clear ammonia

¼ cup of baking soda

1 gallon warm water

Mix together and use to clean bathroom fixtures, walls, and countertops. This formula is particularly effective soap-scum remover. Pour some of the mixture into a spray bottle. Use the rest of the formula straight from the bucket to clean all around the bathroom. Rinse with clean water.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

1 cup vinegar

1 cup borax

Pour the vinegar in the toilet bowl, working some up around the rim. Sprinkle the borax over the vinegar. Allow the mixture to soak for at least 2 hours or leave it overnight. Use a brush to loosen the grime, then flush.

Ceramic-Tile and Grout Cleaner

1 cup baking soda

1 cup household ammonia

½ cup vinegar

Warm water

Pour baking soda into a clean gallon-size plastic jug. Add ammonia, vinegar, and enough warm water to fill the jug about half full. Shake the jug to mix the ingredients together. Add more warm water to fill the jug. Pour some of the solution into a spray bottle, spray directly on the tiles, and wipe clean with a sponge. Rinse with water. Be sure to put the cap on the jug tightly. Label and keep out of the reach of small children.

Heavy Duty Grout Cleaner

2 tablespoons baking soda

1 tablespoon vinegar

2 tablespoons Ceramic-Tile and Grout Cleaner (recipe above)

Mix the ingredients to make a paste. Use and old toothbrush to apply to the grout. Let the paste soak into the grout for 10 minutes, then scrub with the toothbrush and rinse with water.

Kitchen Grease-Cutting Cleaner

¼ cup baking soda

2/3 cup white vinegar

¾ cup ammonia

hot water

Pour the first three ingredients into a clean gallon container. Shake to mix. Add enough hot water to fill the container. Use cleaner to wash greasy areas in the kitchen. Rinse with clean water and let dry. To protect your hands, use rubber gloves and make sure you have adequate ventilation in the room.

Oven Cleaner

1 cup of vinegar

1 cup borax

¼ cup concentrated powdered laundry detergent

Make a paste out of the vinegar, borax, and detergent. Heat the oven to 400 degrees for 5 minutes and turn off. Spread the paste all over the oven and leave it on for at least an hour. Spread the paste all over the oven and leave it on for at least an hour. Scrape the gook off with a spatula or an expired credite card. This formula works best for light to medium cleaning. It won't be perfect, but it will be safer than commercial sprays. When used often, this formula easily removes the food particles.

All of these solutions were specially tested by my friends at Go Cleaners.