Using vinegar as an all-purpose cleaner

I like using vinegar as a cleaning agent for three reasons--it is inexpensive, non-toxic, and it cleans well.

How to Make
To make your all-purpose cleaner you'll need a spray bottle, vinegar, and water. Fill the spray bottle up 1/3 of the way with white vinegar (apple cider vinegar works, too) and then fill the rest with tap water. Give the bottle a gentle shake. If you don't like the smell of vinegar, you can always add about 10 drops of lavender or lemon oil to the mixture.

How to Use
I use this cleaner for cleaning my counter-tops and my bathroom and kitchen floors. It is a good idea to let it sit for a few minutes before wiping so the solution has time to kill that bacteria. You can also use it to clean window and glass. It makes a great carpet cleaner. My son spit up all the time when he was a baby, so I was constantly cleaning spit-up off the carpet. I would spray this on the spot and leave for a minute and then scrub it out.

Does Vinegar really kill bacteria?
I am a bit of a germ-a-phobe, so I want to make sure the cleaner I use is really sanitizing. Studies have shown that using undiluted vinegar kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses).

Where to buy your vinegar
I suggest buying your vinegar in bulk. I buy mine at Costco. I get two gallons for around $5, I believe. This definitely saves money from buying pre-made cleaners and you don't have to worry about all the chemicals other cleaners have.

For more ways to clean with vinegar, check out this link.