Mix Vinegar With This Common Bathroom Staple For A Versatile DIY Cleaner

Getting your home to be sparkling clean can be difficult, even if you're using a store-bought cleaning product that claims to do it all. While it's true that there are more and more products available that promise to solve all of your cleaning woes, it can be difficult to find ones that are made with trustworthy ingredients and that don't break the bank. Fortunately, there are many recipes online that are praised as eco-friendly versions of expensive cleaners. One option for a homemade cleaner is a simple combination of white distilled vinegar, water, and a common bathroom staple: rubbing alcohol. This is believed to be effective because vinegar's acetic acid can remove dirt and kill some bacteria, while rubbing alcohol can be used to disinfect surfaces as well. However, keep in mind that this natural cleaner can't kill all bacteria.

To create your own spray, add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of rubbing alcohol to a spray bottle, along with a tablespoon of white vinegar, a versatile cleaning tool. You can use this spray on a number of materials and areas in your home such as your glass doors and windows, mirrors, chrome fixtures, and even tile surfaces like shower walls, floors, and backsplashes. This vinegar mixture might even be the secret to dazzling clean windows. Use it the same way that you would use a store-bought glass cleaner like Windex: just spray it on the surface and wipe clean with a paper towel or microfiber cloth.

While there is a lot to love about this easy-to-make and affordable cleaner, there are several safety concerns to be aware of. Firstly, rubbing alcohol is highly flammable; although this spray's recipe incorporates water to dilute the alcohol, be certain to exercise caution when using this cleaner and avoid spraying it near open flames (like a lit candle in your bathroom). Additionally, think twice about using rubbing alcohol in confined spaces, and use caution when spraying it, as it can damage your eyes, nose, and throat. Be sure to also keep it out of the reach of children and wear gloves and a mask when using it.

Since this cleaning spray is so simple, you may be tempted to use it on everything in your home, but rubbing alcohol is still a strong substance. Although it's safe to use this spray on most hard surfaces, you'll want to avoid using it on some types of rubber or wood, as it can cause the materials to break down. The good news is that so long as you're careful to use it on the right materials, this spray can save you lots of money while still cleaning your home. However, also keep in mind that it may not be as effective as other cleaners when it comes to killing bacteria. Still, it's a generally safe and good option for removing fingerprints and debris from surfaces while also potentially disinfecting the area.