Cleaning expert urges households to slash costs with white vinegar method
A cleaning expert has shared some life hacks that will save you hundreds of pounds each year and all you need are a few kitchen cupboard essentials like white vinegar
Households could save a fortune on cleaning costs with some simple maintenance and by swapping high-priced cleaning products for pantry staples like white vinegar.
The average UK household forks out between £83 and £202 annually on cleaning products, according to Statista's 2022 figures. However, one cleaning guru is on a mission to help Brits maintain a pristine home without breaking the bank.
Cleaning whizz Nancy Emery recommends white vinegar as an effective alternative to many cleaning agents, offering both time and cost savings. The Tap Warehouse expert typically begins her cleaning spree with the dishwasher.
These essential appliances are more economical when running efficiently, but the rinse aid needed to keep them in prime condition can be expensive. Nancy pointed out that while rinse aid costs about £10 per litre, it can be replaced with white vinegar, which is a mere 92p per litre.
She explained: "White vinegar is great for ridding your dishwasher of bad smells caused by trapped food and grime residue. For a deep clean once a month, put 250ml of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container and pop it on the top shelf of the empty dishwasher.
"Run it on a full cycle and this should help to break down any food, grease and soap scum build up inside the dishwasher."
Many already swear by white vinegar to tackle the pesky limescale that clings to taps and kettles, but Nancy warns of the high costs associated with ignoring this build-up. It can lead to increased energy bills and eventually necessitate the replacement of your brassware.
Nancy divulged her go-to method: "Mix together white vinegar and water in equal parts and submerge your cleaning cloth into the solution. Apply directly to the limescale and scrub gently to avoid damaging the finish on your taps."
For those with special finish taps like matt black, chrome, or brushed brass, Nancy suggests a gentler approach: "If you've opted for a special finish tap such as matt black, chrome or brushed brass, try using a solution of 75/25 lemon juice to water instead.
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"Gently scrub the solution on the tap with a soft sponge and leave this to dissolve the limescale deposits for no more than a couple of minutes before rinsing and always use a soft cloth to clean."
She also highlighted the microwave as a particularly challenging appliance to keep spotless, often overlooked until it becomes "one of the yuckiest appliances".
To combat this, Nancy recommends: "To get this clean again, try adding two tablespoons of white vinegar to two cups of water in a microwave-safe bowl and let the oven run for 2-3 minutes.
"Once finished, remove the bowl and you'll find it much easier to wipe away the grease and grime with a clean cloth."
