How to Make a Vinegar Solution for Cleaning

White distilled vinegar is an affordable, safe and environmentally-friendly cleaning solution. While it has a strong, pungent odor, vinegar effectively cleans many surfaces. Use it straight when cleaning baked-on buildup in ovens, or when removing stubborn mineral deposits. Mix vinegar with other ingredients to dilute or enhance the cleaning solution.

1. Pour ½ cup of white vinegar into an empty, clean bucket or container.

2. Add ½ cup of warm water to the container if using the solution to clean carpet, upholstery, hard surfaces or to wash off mold and mildew. If using the solution to clean vinyl, substitute the ½ cup of warm water for ½ teaspoon of vegetable oil-based liquid soap.

3. Add another ½ cup of water to the mixture if using the solution to clean hard-water buildup or soapy residue on bathtubs, showers and sinks.

Tip

Add 2 tbsp. white vinegar to 1 qt. of water in a spray bottle to make glass cleaner. Combine 3 cups of olive oil to 1 cup white vinegar to make environmentally-friendly furnish polish.

Warning

Do not use vinegar on marble surfaces.