Vinegar is a cost-effective, readily available non-toxic cleaner. Its uses have been touted for every room of the house. Vinegar is an acidic substance that removes odors, stains and residue with seemingly no effort at all. Found in virtually every local grocery store, vinegar provides a versatile alternative to chemical laden cleaning products that only serve one or two purposes around the house.
Windows
Clean bedroom windows naturally by mixing 2 cups of water with a half cup of vinegar and 1/4 tbsp. dish soap. The water and vinegar clean windows, while the dish soap cuts through any waxy residue left over from commercial cleaners that may have been used in the past. If dish soap is still too commercial, add the same amount of lemon juice. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle for easy use and clean using outdated or recycled newsprint for a streak-free shine on your bedroom windows.
Urine Odors
Whether you inherited your mattress secondhand, Fido couldn't make it to the newspaper on time or your toddler isn't quite potty trained, vinegar is one part of a natural process to remove the pungent smell of urine from mattresses, carpets, box springs or bedding. Blot the area dry with a towel to remove fresh urine. Spray the mattress or carpet with a half and half mixture of vinegar and water. Blot the area again with a clean towel until it is only slightly damp. Sprinkle baking soda over the urine spot, and allow it to dry. Remove any residue with a brush or vacuum. The acid in vinegar neutralizes the bacteria in the urine that causes odors and stains, while the baking soda absorbs any excess aromas.
Wood Floors and Walls
Walls and floors get dusty and grimy. Wooden floors and walls lose luster and sheen. If your bedroom is outfitted with wooden walls or floors, mix up a solution of a cup of vinegar, a half cup of olive oil and two quarts of water. Rub the mixture onto walls with a damp sponge or mop bedroom floors with the solution. The vinegar neutralizes odors and acidifies surfaces, while the oil restores a natural protective coating to the wood. There is no need to rinse after cleaning bedroom woodwork with this solution.
Carpet Stains
Bedroom carpets take a lot of abuse. Remove stains by mixing a paste from 4 tbsp. of vinegar and a half a cup of baking soda. Rub the fizzing mixture into the carpet and allow it to dry. Vacuum up the dried paste to reveal a vibrant, clean patch of bedroom carpet free of stains. Tough stains or extremely old stains may require a second application. Test the solution in an inconspicuous area beforehand to ensure that your bedroom carpet is colorfast and won't be damaged by the vinegar and baking soda solution.
References
- "Household Cleaning: Self Sufficiency"; Rachel Strauss; 2009
- "Robin Stewart's Chemical Free Home"; Robin Elaine Stewart; 2002
- "Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things"; Readers Digest; 2004
- "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Household Solutions"; Melodie Moore; 1998
- "Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Non-toxic Living"; Annie Berthold-Bond; 1999
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