In the Kitchen
- Benefits Of Buying Local Produce
- Buy Locally Grown Apples
- Don't Pour Kitchen Grease Down The Drain
- ENERGY STAR Refrigerators and Dishwashers Save Energy and Water
- Homemade Baby Food Is A Great Way To Do Your Part
- Organic Produce That's Worth The Money
- Paper VS Plastic
- Recycling Aluminum Cans Makes Good Cents
- The Great Wine Debate
- The Never Ending Glass Recycling Story
- Turkey Talk
In the Bathroom
All Through the House
- Cleaning With Vinegar
- Control Indoor Pests Naturally
- Don't Throw It Away - FreeCycle It!
- Earth 911
- ENERGY STAR products save energy, water and money!
- ENERGY STAR Washing Machine Saves Thousands of Gallons of Water Every Year
- ENERGY STAR- New Homes
- Father's Day Green Gift Ideas
- Get To Know Those Plastic Recycling Numbers
- Green Holiday Table Decorations
- Green Volunteering
- How Plastic Is Made
- How To Properly Dispose of CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs)
- ImagiPLAY For The Holidays
- In With The New and Recycle The Old
- Indoor Air Pollution
- Let the Holidays Shine with LED Lights!
- Mother's Day Gift Ideas
- Put Your Old Cell Phone To Good Use
- Recycle Glass
- Recycling Paper Is A Success
- Recycling Plastic
- Smart Strip Power Strip Saves Energy and Money
- Soap: Bar vs Liquid
- Sponges
- Stop Junk And Other Unwanted Mail
- Terri explains Do Your Part
- The Great Diaper Debate
- Treating Pet Smells and Accidents....Naturally
- Try Baking Soda Instead of Costly Chemical Cleaners
- What do you do with old or unused medicine?
- What Is Do Your part
- Why You Should Buy Organic Cotton
In the Garage
In the Garden
- Fall Leaves
- Go Native in the Garden
- How To Set Up A Rain Barrel
- Keep Mosquitoes Away Naturally
- Kill Outdoor Pests and Weeds Without Using Toxic Chemicals
- Plants That Tolerate Drought Conditions
- Put Those Coffee Grounds To Work In Your Yard
- Reduce amount of energy needed to cool your home
- Save Our Creeks - Don't Over Fertilize
- Test Your Soil Before You Fertilize
- Tree Banding
Cleaning With Vinegar
Cleaning your home is a dirty job, but someone has to do it. So as you “do your part” of the chores, why not do your part for the environment and your budget at the same time.You can clean most of your home with two natural products: vinegar and baking soda.
Today we’re talking about vinegar. Vinegar is made from the fermented juices of many plants, including rice, grain and fruit. It’s all natural, non-toxic, and pretty cheap. It is also extremely versatile.
Here are some uses for distilled white vinegar that we tested:
- This will make your windows and mirrors sparkle. Take a new spray bottle and fill it with one part water and one part vinegar. Spray it on, and wipe it off with newspaper. Yes, I said newspaper. Just crumble up the newspaper in your hands until it’s soft and always use a dry sheet. When you’re done, simply put the used newspaper in the recycling bin!
- Here are other uses for that half-and-half mixture:
o Bathroom sinks, countertops, tubs and floors.
o Kitchen sinks, stovetops, and appliances.
o The inside of your refrigerator.
- To deodorize your dishwasher, add a cup of vinegar to the dishwashing cycle.
- To clean your microwave, put ½ c vinegar and 1 c water in a microwave safe bowl. Cook long enough to boil. It will remove any lingering odors and loosen any baked-on food from the microwave’s walls.
- Here’s a great money-saver: replace your liquid laundry softener with vinegar! Add ½ cup of pure distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It’s great for people with sensitive skin because it breaks down the detergent really well.
You may be concerned about a lingering vinegar smell in your home. Don’t be. When the vinegar dries, it no longer smells. Your home will just smell naturally clean – with no chemical fumes.
Before you try any of these tips on your floors, countertops or carpet, be sure to test an inconspicuous area first. Do NOT use vinegar on marble. The acidity can damage it.
So, steer clear of those expensive home cleaners filled with chemicals you can’t pronounce, and give all-natural distilled white vinegar a try. You’ll save money, create less waste and best of all, be doing your part for the environment.
