Non-toxic cleaning or cleaning with Vinegar?

[Tari Mithrandir]

I need some advice! I've recently pretty much been using only water/vinegar for cleaning. Is this actually going to keep my house -clean-? What ratios do I need to use?
I've been using 50/50 to clean DD's toys and just putting a glug into my mop water... DH complains the house smells like vinegar on the days I clean, but the rest of the time it seems alright.

It's the only thing I can really think of that is not terribly expensive (we buy it in bulk) and non-toxic. I looked it up on google and it said vinegar does kill bacteria and viruses, so I think that should be all I need to use right? Or do I have other/better options?

Last year I purchased some cleaning products from Babyganics that are supposed to be baby/pet safe and non-toxic, but while some products work okay, others I am not impressed with. Plus I don't know how 'okay' they really are... I am still using the glass and all-purpose cleaners a few times a month as I still have quite a bit left (not much time to clean anymore I find )

Anyway, just looking for tips and advice on how to keep the house clean without bringing out the chemicals!
TIA

[MamaFern]

have you tried adding some sort of essential oil to it?: anything citrus helps the vinegar smell. i like lime oil and orange. i use 50/50 and add a few drops of oil. but really any EO will do. if you prefer lavender try that. i used to not like the smell of vinegar but ive gotten used to it. it makes everything so squeaky clean and its inexpensive and way better than anything else IMO. i also love baking soda if you need some scrub power

[texmama]

: I like to add peppermint oil - it really cuts down the vinegar smell for me.

[Tari Mithrandir]

Thank you both Where can I get EOs? (can't use lavendar, I like it, but I get headaches from it )

[Tari Mithrandir]

Oh! Also, this is good for all cleaning, right? Not just floors? I assume it will work in the bathroom with the baking soda...
Would it be okay for me to mix up a batch of 50/50 and put it in a spray bottle, or will it not sit well?

[JamieCatheryn]

I get my EOs from http://mountainroseherbs.com (and my carrier oils and some bulk herbs too).

I've never had problems from making a whole spray bottle full at a time of my vinegar/water all purpose cleaner. Oh and I use rosemary but am considering switching since DH complains about the vinegar too, maybe peppermint I have that. He'd prefer the Simple Green we have in the closet even though the fragrance in that stinks and stays for days .

[Magelet]

I'm really big on vinegar and baking soda. I'm moving out of my mum's and I'm not planning on buying any cleaners other than laundry detergent, dish soap, hand soap, vinegar and baking soda. If I need it later, I'll grab some borax. Salt I use too, but thats a "kitchen item". That reminds me I should probably snag one of the six boxes of kosher salt at dad's since he doesn't use it.... (yeah, baking fish in salt takes a lot less salt than I thought lol).

I love using vinegar, and haven't had any problems with it. It really does keep things clean. I use slightly soapy hot water and then 50/50vinegar to wipe down the counters, vinegar in the wash, vinegar in the dishwater, vinegar to make cleaning easier, to get rid of ants, to clean glass, to polish metal, for pretty much everything. I do also use baking soda as an "abrasive" on things that can't handle an abrasive. For example, when cleaning the sink, if it needs more than a simple wiping down, I sprinkle baking soda around the sink, and then some more down the drain. I take a damp sponge and scrub and the baking soda cleans the sink better. I rinse it down with vinegar down the drain, and let it sit for a bit, then rinse it all.

You really can clean with just vinegar and baking soda and soap. You don't need all the "safer" chemical cleaners, and goodness knows I don't trust them.

I just open the windows for the vinegar smell, it goes quite fast. As I've used it over time, I stopped noticing it, and I think the fam has as well, since they stopped complaining. They used to complain very loudly, now they don't say a word.

gl

[KayleeZoo]

To those who use EOs in their vinegar/water mixture, does it leave a film? DH can't stand the vinegar smell, and I love peppermint, but don't want any oil left behind, that would drive me batty.

[mommathea]

No, you don't have any film left. The ammount of eo is so little Like 10-15 drops max a spray bottle full. I think the spray bottle I have is 32oz. Just enough eo to cut the vinegar smell.

[Juliacat]

I think vinegar is perfectly fine for everyday cleaning. You could always use something stronger once or twice a year if you wanted to be sure.

[Tari Mithrandir]

Used the baking soda in the bathroom this morning... All I can say is


Can you marry baking soda? Because I am in love! I have never gotten such great results, even back in my chemical cleaner days!!

My bathroom looks wonderful :

[MamaFern]

: i love it too! its amazing how simple really is best.

Originally Posted by Tari Mithrandir

Used the baking soda in the bathroom this morning... All I can say is


Can you marry baking soda? Because I am in love! I have never gotten such great results, even back in my chemical cleaner days!!

My bathroom looks wonderful :

[thixle]

laughup:
Wait til you realize you can wash your hair AND brush your teeth with it, too
Is there anything BS can't do?