The Ultimate Cleaner

When we moved into our apartment 4 months ago, I was looking for any way to cut costs and save money. 

Any. Way.

I did plenty of research, hours and hours actually, looking for people's thrifty suggestions.  I began to notice that there was one household "saver" that seemed to show up on almost any article I read- Vinegar.  

Honestly I was a little surprised because I just never thought vinegar seemed like a logical idea.  Wouldn't my whole house smell like vinegar? I just remember as a kid I had one aunt who's house always had a distinctive smell.  I didn't want people walking into mine and smelling vinegar!

Well, I tried it. And honestly I can't stop using it! Here are a few things I've learned vinegar is FANTASTIC for!

 

1.  Deodorizing. Surprised? I was too, but I found out that vinegar is actually scent-free when it dries.  And what's even better is it takes those nasty smells with it.
2. Laundry- I use it instead of laundry softener now (much cheaper).  It not only acts as a softener- but like I said above- deodorizes.  I was amazed at how well.  One night I forgot I had washed towels and found them the next morning.  Dreading what they would smell like, I took a whiff- CLEAN! No mildewy smell, nothing nasty at all.  They smelled freshly washed.  Best. Thing. Ever.
3. Dishes- the trick to sparkling CLEAN glasses? Vinegar.  We load the dishwasher, put the regular dishwasher detergent in, and let it fill up with a little bit of water.  Then after a few minutes, we put in a quarter-sized drop of Dawn, and a plentiful splash of vinegar.  They come out sparkling!
4. Cleaning glass- I put some vinegar and water (about 1:3 ratio, 1 part water, 3 parts water) in a spray bottle and go to town on widows, doors, mirrors, basically any glass.  I then wipe them down with a newspaper (another trick I learned)- and the windows are streak free!
5. Cleaning counters- vinegar cuts through grease and stains like there is no tomorrow!
6. Spotless shower- I took a dish wand like the one below, and filled it up 1/3 dawn, 2/3 vinegar.  Whenever I'm in the shower I scrub it down, this works fantastic! The shower is streak free, and sparkling!
   
    
   7.  Removing hard water- I pour vinegar in a ziplock baggie, wrap it around the shower head and let it sit overnight.  The hard water stains are gone! And the shower head works so much better.
   8. Removing weeds- We had some poison ivy creeping up the step outside our apartment door.  I put a little bit of dawn in a spray bottle with vinegar (not diluted) and sprayed it on ALL of the leaves.  Gone!! Works like magic.  The dawn helps the vinegar cling to the leaves so it can kill them.  I was so impressed!
   
   
   Honestly I've just started using vinegar for any issue I have.  It has worked every time!!! Do you have something you use this miracle cleaner for?? Let me know!!