One Bottle to Clean It All: Cleaning Vinegar

Cleaning (or white) vinegar is a household staple that can replace many toxic and cleaning products. Miniml White Vinegar is made with biodegradable ingredients (unscented or natural scents) and sold in bottles that you can send back to be refilled. With around 6% acetic acid, cleaning vinegar is stronger than cooking vinegar (so ventilate rooms and never mix any vinegar with bleach, it causes toxic gas).

• Choose the unscented version for pregnancy/nursing and near babies/pets. Citrus oils in particular are toxic to pets (even if rinsed and dried, residue could be licked from paws). Ventilate rooms during use. 
• Don’t use it kill weeds (it will harm beneficial insects). 
• Avoid on natural stone (marble, granite, limestone, travertine) as it can etch and leave dull patches. And avoid on untreated wood and waxed floors.
• Use with a plastic-free cloth and rubber gloves.

Simple recipes to use cleaning vinegar

To recycle toxic cleaning and laundry brands, most household recycling services take empty bottles. For items with product still inside, you’ll have to take them to the hazardous waste department at your local recycling centre. Ask for collection, if you can’t get there.

All-purpose spray

Mix 250 ml cleaning vinegar with 250 ml water in bottle. Spray, wait 1 to 2 minutes, wipe with a cloth cloth. Rinse with clean water if the surface is sticky.

Limescale soak (taps, shower heads)

Mix 300 ml cleaning vinegar with 100 ml warm water in a bowl. Apply for 5 to 10 minutes, scrub gently and rinse well.

For sinks

Spray diluted vinegar, wait 2 to 3 minutes, then wipe with grain and rinse. Clean with dry cloth, to avoid water spots.

Deodorising bins and musty corners

Mix 50 ml cleaning vinegar with 450 ml water. Wipe, then air dry. The smell disappears as it dries.

For drain odours

Pour a small amount of diluted vinegar around the edges and flush with hot water after a few minutes.

For kettle limescale

Fill halfway with a mix of 250 ml cleaning vinegar and 250 ml water. Bring close to a boil, switch off, then leave 15 minutes (tell others what’s inside!) Empty and rinse, then boil a few full kettles of fresh water, to remove taste.

Laundry fabric softener

Pour 30ml in the fabric softener compartment. Far better than fabric softener that can reduce absorbency and even increase fire risks in tumble driers.

To clean a washing machine 

Run an empty wash at 60 to 90°C with 250 ml cleaning vinegar in the drawer. Let the cycle finish, then wipe the seal again.

If laundering synthetic fabrics, use a microfiber filter.

You can recycle empty toxic cleaner bottles at kerbside. Take half-empty bottles to hazardous waste at the local tip. Don’t pour them down sinks, drains or toilets.