Vinegar or Bicarb of Soda?

[MamaBear76]

Hi, I'm an eco mum in training. I have read that you can use vinegar or bicarb of soda instead of commercial cleaning products, but my question is, which one do you use when? Is one better suited to certain types of cleaning or is it just personal choice? Many thanks for advice...

Hi MB76 - have a look at this link:

link

HTH

Ohhhh my field of expertise!!!

I got rid of most chemical cleaners in the house as I no one could convience me that anyone knows the long term effect of using them in. And mixing them in the house

anyway!

I use vinegar and water for windows and mirrors (wash with ecover washing up liquid first)

Bicarb for odour eating and for bad smells I make a disolve bicarb in water, then add some vinegar (and it fizzes) but has never failed me yet.

washing up liquid for bathroom and for lamanet flooring

I do occasionally use bleach for the loo but mainly use ecover cream cleaner (which I also use for the kitchen)

Have been doing this for a few years now and no one has ever been ill in our house, all 3 kids are healthy and we had 4 pets at one point!

there are loads of sites about this but I used:
anytime anything new comes up google it and you will get so many answers!
"www.suite101.com/reference/natural_household_cleaning try here for more ideas!"

good luck

A mixture of vinegar and water is great for cleaning mirrors and the glass around the shower. Baking soda is brilliant to clean grout on tiles - you make a paste with baking soda and a little water and apply to the grout and leave for a while and then give a little scrub with an old toothbrush and they will look good as new. Much cheaper to use these products as well as what you are doing for the environment. The websites mentioned are good - you should get loads of info there. The programmes that used to be on TV with Aggie and Kim were good for tips like this - watch out for any repeats.

mamabear76 i have two great books

'vinegar 1001 practical uses' by margaret briggs- Abbeydale press

and

'pure baking soda, for baking cleaning and deodorizing- over 100 helpful household hints' by arm and hammer.

according to both these books there are many jobs that can be done by either vinegar or bicarb, or a combination of both. like you i am in training and these books are practically in my handbag. definately worth a look.