We’ve all been there – your house or workplace is in dire need of a clean, but the expensive array of products needed for even a basic clean is bringing on a headache. There are so many different cleaning products, each with its own uses, limitations, and safety concerns, making it all a tad overwhelming. Fortunately, Apple Cider Vinegar (also known as ACV) is a versatile, cheap, easy to find, and user-friendly cleaning product that can be used extensively across your office and home.
As the name implies, apple cider vinegar is made from the fermentation and processing of cider, and undergoes the same chemical reactions that most other types of vinegar do. The process involves apples being crushed and the juice inside squeezed out, which is then fermented by yeast. The rich sugars contained within the juice are converted into ethanol, and that ethanol is then converted into acetic acid, which is the compound that gives ACV its bacteria-inhibiting properties.
In Vanguard’s latest blog, we’ll discuss why apple cider vinegar should be a staple of your cleaning cupboard. We’ll examine the pros and cons of using ACV as a household cleaning product, and underline 9 helpful ways that it can be used to clean common problem areas. Finally, we’ll examine how Vanguard use our cutting-edge cleaning products to ensure a superior, safer, and environmentally friendly clean.
Apple cider vinegar is endlessly useful as a cleaning product. It acts as a deodorizer to inhibit bacterial growth (such as E. Coli and Salmonella), while the concentrations of acetic acid found within allow the product to break down tougher compounds. Subsequently, despite being considered a mild acid, ACV works effectively against a range of common cleaning problems, such as stubborn and sticky stains, as well as mould and mildew.
Without a doubt, the most important benefit of apple cider vinegar is the organic nature of the product. Derived from a natural process, ACV avoids any harmful chemicals or additives that are present in industrial cleaning products, making it entirely non-toxic. That means it sidesteps common dangers such as chemical burns, irritation, and allergic reactions, and is much better for the environment than industrial substances. If you’ve got vulnerable individuals in the house, such as kids, pets, or the elderly, ACV may therefore be a game-changer.
As for ingesting it, you can safely swallow a shot of apple cider vinegar – many even abide by its health benefits, using the product to reduce blood sugars and aid weight loss.
The biggest drawback when it comes to cleaning with ACV is the time it takes to produce good results. The substance needs to dwell on a surface for 15-30 minutes for maximum effectiveness, and it isn’t as strong or as meticulous as industrial disinfectants. You’re also limited on what items you can use the product on – avoid natural stone surfaces such as granite, quartz, and limestone, as well as sensitive materials like fabric and electronics, as the acid can begin to break these down.
Regardless, with a little finesse, apple cider vinegar can be used on many surfaces with great results.
The following methods demonstrate both the versatility and ease-of-use of apple cider vinegar as a cleaning product.
To create a convenient and natural multi-purpose cleaner, simply mix some water with apple cider vinegar, at a ratio of 1:1. Pour this solution into a spray bottle, and your homemade cleaning product is now ready. It can be used to spray on surfaces, countertops, desks, doors, and most other surfaces that you might encounter – just make sure to leave the area wet long enough for the ACV to complete its work.
Alternatively, you could spray the solution around your office or home as an air freshener, which will eliminate odours and help improve air quality. Research shows that a cluttered and dirty environment increases stress levels, and with clean offices having a direct correlation with better mental health, small practices like this can have an outsized impact on your employees and their productivity.
Whether it’s your toilet basin that needs cleaning, or your shower that’s collected grime, the very same ACV solution can be applied across most parts of your bathroom. Apple cider vinegar can easily break down common bathroom grime like soap scum and mildew, making it a highly effective bathroom cleaner. It will also leave an extra shine on the ceramic, refreshing your room and impressing visitors.
For tougher stains that seemingly won’t budge, try using ACV undiluted, as this stronger solution may provide the acidity needed to dislodge more resilient splotches.
With up to 62% of UK residents experiencing a blocked drain leading to a plumber or professional being called out, clogged drains are a lingering problem for many. Fortunately, ACV presents an easy way to clear blockages.
First, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain and let it settle. Follow up with 1 cup of apple cider vinegar, which will react with the baking soda to fizz and create foam, breaking down blockages in the process. Leave for about 15 minutes, then finish by pouring warm water down the drain. This should clear away most of the blockage, but if not, simply repeat multiple times to fully clear the clog.
Naturally, ACV is advantageous for kitchens areas too. One of the best uses for the product is refreshing appliances that might not get cleaned as often as they should, such as dishwashers and washing machines. For either one, start with an empty machine and let the cycle run with apple cider vinegar to clear the interior of any bacteria or grime. Use ¼ cup of ACV for a dishwasher and let it run for a few minutes for a general refresh, or you could mix the product in with your cycle to kill off bacteria, remove tough stains, and keep dishes sparkling.
As for a washing machine, replace the laundry detergent in a cycle with 2 cups of ACV. Make sure to leave the machine empty, and watch as the appliance essentially cleans itself.
For other items found in the kitchen, apple cider vinegar also works well. Kettles and coffee pots can be easily descaled by spraying them with your solution and letting it rest for 15 minutes before wiping away. As for microwaves, mix water with ACV and put in a microwave-safe bowel before cranking it to the highest setting and zapping for 4 minutes. Again, watch as the device refreshes itself.
Fruit flies can become problematic, especially in areas that deal with food and food waste. It’s essential that the growth of these bugs is checked, because if given the chance, fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs and will swarm your property with their offspring.
Apple cider vinegar plays an important role in the trapping and killing of such pests. Pour a little ACV in the bottom of a plastic bottle, and cover with clingfilm before poking a few holes in the wrapping. This will attract fruit flies and provide an entrance for them to trap themselves within. Place your newly fashioned traps around key problem points like bins and storage, and make sure to regularly unload your traps for a long-lasting fruit fly solution.
Clean windows make a big difference to how a premises is perceived – from better lighting improving the interior’s look, to sparkling windows enhancing the exterior. Apple cider vinegar can be used for both.
First, dust your windows to remove any lingering debris, before diluting some ACV with water. Wipe down your windows thoroughly, taking care to cover every part of it to remove all traces of dirt or grime. Afterwards, dry with a cloth or paper towels to remove excess moisture and prevent streaks from forming on the glass.
Depending on the type of flooring your home or office uses, apple cider vinegar can work well to get rid of any stains and keep your floors spotless. For dealing with stains on carpets, pour a few tablespoons of salt on the affected area and then apply a little ACV, being careful not to use too much as this could damage the fabric. Let the mixture settle for a while, then vacuum over the area to whisk away any stubborn stains.
As for hardwood floors, sweep and hoover first to suck up any lingering debris. Then use a solution of apple cider vinegar to wipe the floor and give it a nice-looking shine. Dry mop the area afterwards to prevent any slips or falls.
ACV should not be used on natural stone surfaces such as limestone or granite, so a different technique will ne needed for these types of flooring. For a comprehensive guide on how to clean a broad range of floor types, see our professional article here.
Apple cider vinegar is renowned for its ability to kill weeds and other harmful plants. This is especially important if your exterior looks overgrown, as it will only encourage negative judgements about your premises and the people within.
To get rid of weeds and restore your front garden to its full potential, spray undiluted ACV onto the problem area. Soon enough, the weeds will wilt away. If that doesn’t work, or if you need a stronger effect to tackle larger weeds, mix the ACV with soap or lemon juice to create a more potent weed killer. It may be worth doing routine top-ups every now and then to prevent further weed growth and keep your exterior looking presentable.
Finally, apple cider vinegar works great to break down any lingering bits of product or hair on any of your bathroom items. Whether you’ve got dirt wedged between prongs in a hair comb, or product stuck in your makeup brush, applying a little ACV can help to break down these lingering substances.
For a tougher clean, soak the item in an apple cider vinegar solution – just don’t leave it submerged for too long, as it could start to break down the item itself.
Using apple cider vinegar can make cleaning easier, but it may also raise more problems than it solves. For the best quality and most comprehensive clean, the help of a commercial cleaning company like Vanguard Cleaning may be needed.
While Vanguard may not use apple cider vinegar for every cleaning task, we are committed to working with safe and sustainable cleaning products that provide a better clean without losing any of the benefits. Our supplier is Arrow County Supplies, who offer a sustainable Greenleaf selection that boasts a range of environmentally friendly and reduced-impact products. Wherever possible, we strive to use products from this range, but in some cases, we may use alternate options if the situation requires industrial strength alternatives.
The safety of our staff and yours is always of the utmost importance. Vanguard are committed to conducting a safe and robust clean each and every time, and as such, all the hazardous substances we use can be found here, and are COSHH-compliant with all relevant safety data sheets and risk assessments filled out. On top of this, our staff are trained with procedures accredited by the British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), equipping them with industry-leading knowledge to clean your premises with the utmost care and attention to detail.
For more information, and to receive a quick and entirely FREE quote, contact Vanguard using the form adjacent or the number listed above.
