Old School is New School (when it comes to cleaning)

Today’s blog post is regarding a hack. In these times, with the speed of life and so many things we have to be mindful of…keeping our family members alive being one of them, we could use all the help we can get when it comes to saving time, money and cutting corners.

One thing that has greatly helped me is using some old school household remedies to clean: Vinegar and Baking Soda. They’re cheap, almost always in my cabinet and they aren’t filled with chemicals that when googled will turn up thing like, “avoid long term exposure,” or “caused cancer in laboratory animals.” To think we have our hands in this stuff 24/7. Your skin is the largest organ on your body…it does absorb everything you touch 😯.

Here are some ways to use these godsends in your everyday cleaning routine:

In a spray bottle mix half vinegar with half dawn dish washing detergent (I have only used the blue kind). Spray this sucker on everything. It makes a mockery of soap scum in the bathtub and shower. It can even clean pots and pans. It is also good on glass shower doors. For heavy build up, grab a fabric softener sheet, wet it, wipe and rinse.

I’ve also used vinegar to remove build up in toilets…that black mildew/ moldy crud at the jets. Spray with vinegar, let sit and scrub away with your regular cleaner. Pour it in the toilet to break down mineral deposits. You can also, occasionally pour it in the toilet tank to really clean the jets. Pour in 1 cup and flush immediately. Let it sit and do its job of breaking down minerals. Flush again. If you do this too often rumor has it that you’ll have to replace your rubber components, flap etc more often. I don’t think I’ve ever done it more than 2-3 times per year so I’ve never had a problem. If the flap does wear out, it’s a simple trip to the hardware store. I’ve replaced my own before.

Vinegar and baking soda cleans pans that have food baked in. A little water, pour in vinegar then add in baking soda. It fizzes so leave room at the top of the pan for the bubbles. Let it sit for a few minutes and the gunk wipes right off.

I also clean my sinks and drains with vinegar and baking soda. It has some disinfecting properties and can get the funk out of a drain in a jiffy. It also does a good job of removing that pink slime also known as Serratia Marescens that can be harmful if ingested. Fill, dump in and let it fizz, drain and rinse.

If you have hard water and find mineral deposits in things like your coffee maker. Vinegar to the rescue! I also pour a little in a plastic baggie and soak my sink faucets and shower head from time to time. Look under yours. If you have hard water…you will be un-pleasantly surprised.

You’ll probably find more uses. Cheap, quick, non-toxic! Be careful spraying on any surface ie, countertops that you have to ‘baby’ like stone and some unsealed granite. I’m careful not to overdo it and rinse right away.

Enjoy!

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