Vinegar has established itself as one of the best all-purpose household cleaning products. It is also an essential element that can be found almost everywhere. Non-toxic, it is the ideal alternative to traditional household cleaners that can harm the environment. Plus, it can do wonders for your kitchen! White vinegar is essential for cleaning and maintenance thanks to its antibacterial properties and acetic acid composition. And for good reason, the latter has excellent disinfecting and antibacterial properties to remove dirt . This has earned white wine vinegar the reputation of a star household product, especially in the kitchen, where it cleans the most inaccessible corners.
18 Places in your kitchen you can clean with white vinegar
Before you begin, you should know that it is best to dilute white vinegar with water in equal parts so that its acidity does not affect your kitchen surfaces. You can also pour the solution into a spray bottle for optimal use. Without further ado, here are the 18 areas of your kitchen you can treat with this powerful and eco-friendly cleaner.
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The cook
Grease residue is easy to remove thanks to the acidity of this all-purpose cleaner. Spray the solution of water and white vinegar on your stove and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. All you have to do is rub with soapy water so that the grease visibly disappears and the stove shines.
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The sink
It’s best to replace the bleach with your white vinegar solution to ward off potential food contact hazards. Using a spray bottle, disinfect the sink and everything around it, especially your countertops. Rinse the sink with soapy water afterward. It can also be useful to pour salt into your sink to clean the pipes and fight bad odors.
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Stainless steel pots and pans
For deposits in stainless steel pans and pots, boil water and white vinegar in these containers for a few minutes. The more viscous the grease, the more vinegar you will need to add. Then, after degreasing your utensils, empty them of the solution and wash them with soapy water.
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The bottom
Again, the white vinegar solution allows you to clean the kitchen floor. So, you don’t need expensive detergents to get a shiny clean surface. All you need is a bucket of water in which you add a few tablespoons of white vinegar. Then dip your mop into the liquid or rub the floor with a sponge soaked in this mixture to remove stubborn stains.
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The microwave
Pour your water and vinegar mixture into a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for about 5 minutes. This will remove the dirt with the steam. All you have to do is pass your sponge for a clean oven. By the way, it is also possible to clean your microwave thoroughly with just a lemon.
Warning: always wait 20 seconds before removing the bowl to avoid splashes of hot water and use oven gloves because the container is also very hot.
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Enameled steel pans and pots
Like stainless steel utensils, enamel pans and pots can be easily cleaned with white vinegar. To do this, boil water and vinegar to soften the residue, let it sit for a few minutes, then rub it with soapy water before rinsing.
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Coffee maker and kettle
These everyday appliances can be a breeding ground for bacteria and accumulate limescale and mineral deposits very quickly. To get rid of them, pour equal parts of water and white vinegar into the kettle and boil the solution. Then rinse with clean water. For automatic coffee makers, you may need to add more clear water to get rid of the vinegar smell.
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hobs
Plug in your sink and dip your plates in hot water. Add a mixture of half a cup of baking soda and another half cup of white vinegar. The reaction of this mixture will help remove grease residue. Let everything soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then scrub the plates with a scouring pad or steel wool.
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Stainless steel kitchen appliances
To remove bad odors from your electrical appliances, first unplug them and then take a microfiber cloth that you soak in vinegar. You only need to use the latter to wipe the bowl.
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White spots on glasses
Hard water, due to its mineral content, can decorate your glasses with cloudy residue. To remove stains, place the glasses in the sink and let them sit in a solution of water and vinegar for a few minutes. The vinegar will dissolve the minerals and keep the glasses shiny. All you have to do is wash them normally.
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Pressure cooker sealing ring
Some jars have a sealing ring that can accumulate stains over time, mold and release bad odors. To get rid of it, fill your sink with water and white vinegar and soak the ring in it (ideally for 1 hour). Then wash it with dishwashing liquid before letting it dry. If you don’t want to treat your gasket ring in the sink, pour the white vinegar and water solution into your pressure cooker and add lemon juice. Then run a steam cycle until stains and dirt disappear.
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The spice grinder
Your spice grinder can also benefit from the cleaning power of white vinegar. In fact, this kitchen tool can easily get dirty from ingredients like turmeric. Clean it by gently wiping the surfaces with a cloth soaked in white vinegar.
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Knife holder
The inside of a knife block may well contain a lot of dirt. To clean it thoroughly, take a paper towel soaked in white vinegar and wrap it around a table knife. Stick it into the slots of your block to remove any residue.
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The plastic cutting board
The plastic cutting board is a surface that holds several types of food. Therefore, it should be washed and disinfected regularly. For this purpose, nothing better than the mixture of white vinegar and water. Here you can use your cleaning spray to spread the solution all over the surface.
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The dishwasher
Dishwashers are generally easy to clean but can suffer from an accumulation of mineral deposits. To remove them, pour a cup of vinegar on the bottom of the dishwasher under the rack and then run an empty rinse cycle. This procedure has proven to be very effective.
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The trash can
You can make sure that your garbage does not give off foul odors. To do this, spray the inside and the lid with the vinegar and water mixture every time you take out the trash. Then wipe it off with a cloth.
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The refrigerator and the freezer
Make the inside of your appliances shine by spraying the surfaces you want to clean, including the vegetable drawers. You just need to pass a clean cloth to remove the residue. For the rest, there are other soda and salt tricks to thoroughly clean your refrigerator.
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The water dispenser of the refrigerator
This area of the refrigerator can store mold, mineral deposits, yeast or lime. You can easily chase them away by bringing a small brush (such as an old used toothbrush), soaking it in vinegar and using it to clean the small faucet inside and out. Once the water faucet is cleaned, operate it to make sure the vinegar is flushed out.
