Minimal Cleaning Vinegar (in refillable bottles)

Miniml White Vinegar is made with biodegradable ingredients (unscented or natural scents) and sold in bottles that you can send back to be refilled, which also saves money. With around 6% acetic acid, cleaning vinegar is stronger than cooking vinegar.

Don’t use it kill weeds, it will also kill beneficial insects. And always wear gloves and ventilate rooms. Never mix any kind of vinegar with bleach (this creates toxic gas).

Cleaning vinegar is acidic, so avoid on natural stone (marble, granite, limestone, travertine) as it can etch and leave dull patches. And avoid on untreated wood and waxed floors.

Choose 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.

How to use cleaning vinegar

Use with a plastic-free cloth. Here are a few simple recipes:

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 rinse (bins, cloths, 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. Empty and rinse, then boil a few full kettles of fresh water, to remove taste.

Using white vinegar for laundry purposes

As a fabric softener, pour 30ml in the fabric softener compartment.
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.