Can You Clean Your Home With Apple Cider Vinegar? Facts & Tips

Apple cider vinegar, also known as ACV, is a multifunctional liquid. It is commonly used in cooking and skin care and is renowned for its health benefits. But did you know it’s one of the most versatile and effective cleaning products?

Its antibacterial properties can eliminate foul odor, leaving your rooms smelling fresher. Unlike most cleaning supplies, ACV has no toxic ingredients making it safe to use around the home.

Read on to learn how to use apple cider vinegar as a cleaning solution in your house.

Cleaning the Kitchen

You can eliminate bacteria and keep your dishes sparkling clean by using apple cider vinegar as part of your dishwashing routine. You only have to add a cupful of ACV at the dishwasher’s bottom before starting it.

To scour the stove tops and countertops, use a 1:1 solution of water and ACV. Diluting is essential in ensuring that its acidity does not corrode the surfaces or dull their shine. Use ACV also to take care of your appliances. It can be used to de-stain, clean, and deodorize the interior of the microwave and refrigerator.

Dealing With the Bathroom

Clean the sinks, cabinets, bathroom counters, shower doors, and other surfaces in your bathroom using an equal mixture of water and apple cider vinegar. Depending on the severity of the stains around the walls and edges of your bathroom, you can use ACV in its diluted or undiluted form to remove them. Add essential oils to the mixture if you find the smell of undiluted ACV too strong.

To remove soap scum from tubs and showers, use apple cider vinegar in its undiluted state. Its acidity will remove mineral buildup without leaving behind residues that need to be washed off. It can also be used to eliminate molds and mildews around the bathroom.

ACV will also come in handy when it comes to unclogging drains. First, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then, pour a cup of vinegar followed by a cup of hot water and let it sit for about 15 minutes. You can then pour boiling water to dissolve the clogs effectively.

Cleaning the Living Room

Carpet stains can be tricky, but apple cider vinegar offers an easy way out. Add a few teaspoons of salt to your ACV and rub it on the stain before vacuuming. Additionally, you may mix it with water to use in your carpet steamer.

A water-ACV solution can also clean off stains on your dining tables, tv stands, consoles, side tables, or any other wooden or glass surface around your living room.

The Laundry Room

Cleaning and removing stains from a washing machine is another difficult task. As you would with detergents, add two cups of apple cider vinegar to the washing machine and let it operate without any clothes. You can also use ACV to disinfect and freshen your machine by pouring a cup into each load.

Cleaning Windows and Walls

Streaks and stains on windows and walls can be unsightly and off-putting. Apple cider vinegar can save you from embarrassment as it can safely and effectively clean walls and windows. Depending on the toughness of the streaks, use it in its full-strength or diluted state to clean surfaces.

In the Garden

You can use apple cider vinegar to clean soiled and old pots and planters around your flower beds. To remove any lingering stains, soak them overnight. Not only can clean planters give your garden a fresh look, but also they can prevent the spread of plant diseases.

Removing Water Stains

If you rely on hard water at home, hard water stains might be a common scenario, and it can be tough to deal with such stains during your cleaning routines. All you have to do is mix water and ACV in a 1:1 proportion and put the mixture into a spray bottle.

Spray the mixture on any surface with water stains and leave it there for 15 minutes. After the stain has dissolved, use a toothbrush to scrub it away and a moist towel to wipe the surface clean.

Conclusion

So, can you clean your home with apple cider vinegar? The answer is yes. Apple cider vinegar, like all vinegar, has strong antibacterial qualities, making it a fantastic cleaning solution. And unlike commercial cleaners, it is completely safe even in homes with toddlers and pets.

While it isn’t a magic bullet that will not work in all instances, it will come in handy in many situations.

Featured Image Credit: focal point, Shutterstock