It’s amazing how many cleaning products there are on the market today. Just open your cleaning supply area and take a look at the variety that you have. With so many different promises, it’s easy to get caught up in believing that you need to have a variety of cleaning products in order to effectively clean your home. Then, factor in the cost of these different cleaning products and you’ll really be mind-boggled.

So is there a solution? Is there a cheaper way to do it? Do you really need all of those cleaners? Let’s take a look at some ideas.

I recall that stepping into my grandmother’s house it always smelled clean and fresh. Grandma was very frugal and she used vinegar, baking soda, water, and sometimes she would add some ammonia to something.

Here are some great ways that vinegar can help you to clean your home and keep it fresh smelling.

Stains and baked on foods in your pots and pans: Mix one part vinegar to one part water and boil this mix in the pan for 5 minutes to loosen baked-on foods and stains.

Smelly garbage: Place a small shallow bowl of vinegar in the bottom of the garbage can or even a piece of bread that you’ve soaked in vinegar. Leave this overnight and in the morning, the smell will be gone. This also works well for coolers and refrigerators that smell bad.

Cat scratching or picking: If you have a cat, as many of us do, and he or she likes to pick at or scratch the furnishings, dilute some vinegar with one part water and one part vinegar. Place this in a spray bottle and spray the areas that the cat likes to pick or scratch at. Cats don’t care for the scent of vinegar.

Expensive cleaners: If you, like many of us, are tired of those pricey cleaners, take heart, vinegar is very affordable. Simply mix one part vinegar to 3 parts water and add in a few drops of your favorite dish soap in a spray bottle and you have a very inexpensive and excellent cleaning solution to clean countertops and more. Ideal for mirrors and glasses as well.

Drain cleaner: Simply pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down your drain and follow this with 1 cup of vinegar. When the foaming stops, rinse well with hot water. You’ll not only have a clean drain, but it’s also going to smell better.

Cut flower extender: Add 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar to the water for cut flowers.

Sticky residue: Remove with some vinegar. Spray it on and leave it for a few minutes and just wipe it off.

Fruit flies: Just put some apple cider vinegar in a small bowl and place some plastic wrap over it with holes in the plastic wrap. Fruit flies will fly in but can’t escape.

There are many great uses for vinegar in and around the home and you’ll save a ton of money with all of these ideas. You can also contact your local Cascade Maids for more information. Give us a call today!.