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Rachel here with a few tips to help you clean your home without using toxic cleaners and save yourself some money in the process.
A few years ago I made the switch to more natural cleaning products. I tried just about everything — store bought “green” cleaners, homemade cleaning recipes — what I finally settled on, and have been using now for over ten years is good old vinegar.
Vinegar does a great job of cleaning and I love that I don’t have to worry about any questionable ingredients.
Four Monks™ Cleaning Vinegar is my go-to for pretty much any cleaning task in my home. I love that I can use it for so many different jobs.
I switched cleaners because I wanted to get rid of chemicals in my home but there was another side-effect that I wasn’t counting on.
Using vinegar to clean has saved me so much money!
There’s only one downside to cleaning with vinegar for me: My husband isn’t crazy about the smell. Personally, I love the smell of vinegar but it isn’t his favorite.
Fortunately, Four Monks has a few great solutions for that.
Aroma Controlled Cleaning Vinegar – This is a great option if you are sensitive to the smell of vinegar (or live with someone who is). This has a much milder smell but keeps all the great qualities I love about cleaning with vinegar.
Citrus Mint Cleaning Vinegar – I love the smell of anything citrus while I am cleaning. The Citrus Mint Cleaning Vinegar from Four Monks is so refreshing and, while not as mild as the Aroma Controlled Cleaning Vinegar, definitely isn’t as strong as cleaning with regular vinegar. I love the light scent and it made my whole house smell amazing.
Want some tips for cleaning your house with Vinegar? We have some ideas for every room in your house!
In the Kitchen:
- Spray Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar on counter tops.
- Deodorize sink by filling it with warm water, pouring a bit of Spray Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar in, soaking for ten minutes then draining the water. The sink and disposal will smell nice and fresh afterwards.
- Use Spray Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar straight on glass (windows, oven door, etc.) and wipe clean with a paper towel or a piece of newspaper — this is an old trick Grandma used to use but it really works!
- Soak a toothbrush in Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar then use it to clean your kitchen facet, can opener, blender blades, etc.
- Freshen up your dishwasher by running an empty load with 1/2 cup of Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar.
In the Bathroom
- Spray Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar on your counters.
- Spray your toilet, inside and out, with Four Monks™ Cleaning Vinegar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes than wipe clean.
- Use Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar on your bathroom mirrors. Wipe clean with a paper towel or piece of newspaper.
- Spray your door knob with Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar then wipe clean. The door knob can have so many germs on it so be sure and clean it often.
- Have lime buildup? Make a a paste made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar and scrub clean.
- Remove shower head buildup by combining 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar into a sandwich bag. Tie it around the shower head and let this set for an hour after the bubbling has stopped. Remove the bag and then turn on the water.
In the Laundry
- Wash stinky workout clothes with Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar followed by half a cup of baking soda.
- Soak new garments in a few cups of Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar for 10-15 minutes before washing to prevent the colors from running.
- Add 1/2 cup Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar to the rinse cycle to brighten colors.
- Freshen up laundry you left in the washing machine too long by pouring a few cups of Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar in the machine and washing the clothes in hot water. Then run a normal cycle with detergent to rinse the clothes.
In the Bedroom
- Freshen sheets by soaking them in Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar before washing with baking soda.
- Freshen the air by spraying a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1 cup Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar.
- Wipe flat surfaces, door knobs, baseboards, etc. with Four Monks Cleaning Vinegar.
I use vinegar for 99% of the cleaning jobs in my home and I love that I know exactly what is in my cleaning products.
For more information, a coupon and cleaning tips, visit FourMonksClean.com.
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored and Rachel received sample items for review.
Written by 5 Minutes for Mom contributor Rachel Lister, blogger at Busy Mommy Media.
Stellar says
Love this. I use vinegar for cleaning all the time.
Arlene Mobley says
I have a bottle of the Citrus Mint scent and love it! I love using vinegar to clean my home. I use it for everything from the floors to the bathrooms and all surfaces.
Ryan Mann says
Vinegar does make miracles. I have stocked myself with a lot of cleaning solutions that that are handmade. Most of them can be made in no time and be used for multiple purposes. However, some stains are too hard to get out, and some surfaces end up damaged. I accidentally used it on the stole floor tiles and because of the acidic substance it etched the tiles’ natural look.
I would truly recommend you to use vinegar and baking soda when you clean carpet stains.
Sheila says
I’ve used vinegar and bi carb to do m cleaning for many years. Just moved into a new home and all the wet areas are slate. Bench tops, floor, shower. I must warn you that vinegar is an absolute NO NO!! Vinegar reacts with slate and marble. I found this out the hard way when I was cleaning some seashells.
Anita Alvarez says
I’ve never tried this product, but I have used straight vinegar for cleaning. Its downside, however, is that for it really work, you have to let it set for about 20 minutes 🙁 It’s so important to get rid of toxic chemicals in the home. We are slowly changing out products for Norwex — don’t need any cleaners at all! And we’re paying attention to other choices we make, too, like carpeting and furniture — all of which contain toxic chemicals. The last home improvement project we took on, we swapped out insulation for injection foam, which hardens and doesn’t release toxic particles.
Emily says
Great tips! I have been cleaning with vinegar for years to stay away from toxins.
I have to say I don’t mind the smell of regular vinegar. It quickly dissipates, anyway. I try to use GMO-free vinegar from the health food store when I can (we live in the middle of nowhere, so sometimes I run out).
Baking soda is awesome as a dish cleaner (if you wash by hand), and great for getting almost any kind of hard spots up.
Barbara Montag says
I’ve been learning about this and its a great discovery!
The first time I scrubbed our kitchen floor with 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water I was amazed at how clean it got.
Thank you for a great post.