By Russ and Tiña De Maris
If you’re a clean-freak RVer, you want your rig to shine. Back in the sticks-n-bricks, you may have a lotion, notion, or potion for every conceivable cleaning need. The trouble is, having all those cleaning supplies takes up a lot of room—room your rig probably doesn’t have.
And the more stuff you carry, the more you push your net cargo capacity. So many cleaning supplies are a spendy proposition. Enter your pucker-up, space-and-money-saving friend, that humble jug of vinegar. Clean with vinegar!
You may already have a bottle of vinegar on board your rig. You may know its usefulness in the galley for cooking, but what about its cleaning properties? We’ll cover a list of things this powerful acid can help you with on the road. And for good measure, we’ll also tell you about what you should NOT try cleaning with vinegar.
Vinegar is acidic, which helps remove mineral deposits, grease, and grime. This makes it great for cleaning surfaces like sinks, windows, and MOST countertops—read on for a warning about these galley surfaces. But on with the details.
Clean with vinegar—Start in the galley
To clean a microwave with vinegar, says cleaning expert ovenclean.com, mix 1 cup of water with 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl, heat it on high for 2-3 minutes, let it sit for 5 minutes, then wipe down the interior.
Eating healthy means lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. But eating healthy also means not taking in germs or chemicals from those fresh foods. To rinse vegetables with vinegar water, mix 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water, soak the produce for 5-10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water and pat dry. Here’s Uncle Sam’s take on the issue (pdf).
Let the light shine—Clean your windows
To clean windows with vinegar, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, spray the solution onto the glass, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth. You can add a few drops of dish soap to power up the mixture.
Best time to clean? On an overcast but not rainy day. That way, your cleaning solution won’t dry out too quickly.
Carpet or furniture got a spot? Vinegar it out!
You can use vinegar for spot cleaning carpets or furniture. Its acidity helps break down stains and odors, making it an effective, natural cleaner. Here’s advice from Prolux Cleaning. Mix one part each hot or lukewarm water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Apply it over the stained area, then begin blotting with a white cloth or paper towel, from edges to the center. This spot cleaning technique is great at stain removal, and a great alternative to professional carpet cleaning services.
Laundry time? Take along the vinegar
Vinegar offers several benefits in laundry, including acting as a natural fabric softener, stain remover, and odor eliminator—and it can even brighten clothes.
When it comes to stains, get them out this way: Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar with 1 tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent, apply liberally to the stain, let it sit for at least an hour, and then wash as usual. Clothes have odors? Add 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar to the wash cycle to neutralize odors from smoke, pets, and sweat. Need some brightening? Add 1 cup of vinegar to the wash cycle to brighten clothes and act as a bleach alternative.
However, “Never mix vinegar with bleach or chlorine bleach, as the combination is highly toxic.” And not every fabric is suited to a vinegar rinse. “Elastic or exercise clothing can be worn down over time since the acid can break down the elastics,” advises marthastewart.com. The site adds, “If you need it in a pinch for deodorizing and brightening, be sure to dilute the vinegar and only use vinegar on these types of clothing if totally necessary.”
That same site suggests not overdoing it. “Limit using vinegar in laundry to every other week. Washing your clothes with vinegar isn’t something you should do for every load and should be used on an as-needed basis.”
Pet problems? Zap them with vinegar
Vinegar can be an effective and natural solution for neutralizing pet odors, especially urine, by combining it with baking soda or using a diluted solution in a spray bottle.
For urine odors, start with diluted vinegar. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the diluted solution onto the affected area, allowing it to soak in for a few minutes. Blot the area with a clean cloth or towel to absorb the solution.
For stubborn odors, you may need to repeat the process. And you might try giving it the baking soda boost: After cleaning with vinegar, sprinkle baking soda on the area and let it sit overnight to further absorb odors, then vacuum.
Slow drain?
Some “RV sites” suggest using stuff like Liquid Plumber to speed up slow drains. Come on! We’ve dealt with a slow shower drain, and those caustic solutions are best left right on the store shelf. To tackle a slow drain with baking soda and vinegar, pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain. Follow up with about 1/2 cup of vinegar, cover the drain, let it fizz for 30 minutes to an hour, and then flush with hot water.
We found that hair in the shower drain can be a real drag. Consider adding a catch screen atop the drain to keep hair out of your drain to start with.
Vinegar and oil—It’s not just for salads!
To clean wood cabinets with a homemade solution of vinegar and olive oil, mix equal parts of white vinegar and olive oil in a spray bottle, shake well, and then apply to a soft cloth before wiping down the cabinets, buffing with a dry cloth to remove excess moisture.
Be sure to use white vinegar for general cleaning, as apple cider vinegar can potentially cause staining on some furniture and cabinets. Olive oil is a good choice for wood surfaces as it helps protect and nourish the wood.
A soft, microfiber cloth is ideal. DON’T put the oil directly on the wood—put it on the cloth, then use the cloth to wipe the wood. Work in the direction of the wood’s grain. Buff out the wood with a dry cloth. You’re wise to test the stuff on a hidden spot to make sure it works without undesirable results. And if you’re into them, essential oils for scent, such as lemon or orange, can round out the job as an option.
Stainless steel—Cleanup with vinegar is a steel
To clean stainless steel with vinegar, mix equal parts white vinegar and water, spray the solution on the surface, wipe clean with a soft cloth, and then polish with a touch of olive oil. Just a touch, we said—not too much. It can attract dust, get on your clothes, and do other nasty stuff.
Walking on air?
To clean floors with vinegar, mix a solution of 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water. Use a damp mop, wringing it out well to avoid oversaturating the floor. For a stronger cleaning power, you can add a few drops of essential oils for scent or a tablespoon of dish soap.
For laminate floors, be sure to dry the floor immediately after mopping. Vinyl flooring is perfectly happy to be air-dried. We DON’T recommend using this solution on hardwood floors (if you even had such a thing in your rig) as it may damage the finish.
And here are some things you SHOULD NOT use vinegar to clean
• Some countertops: Marble, granite, and limestone shouldn’t be vinegar-cleaned. You could dull the stone sealant and finish.
• Electronic screens: TVs, laptops, and tablets can be damaged by vinegar.
• Cast iron and aluminum pans: Cast iron has a protective coating that finds vinegar acts like a piranha—it can be eaten up by the acid. Similarly, aluminum cookware should stay shy of vinegar. Stick to soap and water.
Save money? Save space? Hold down your rig’s weight? Vinegar is your cleaning pal.
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