A straight 5 percent solution of vinegar–the white distilled type that you can buy at the supermarket–kills bacteria, mold, and germs.

Studies referenced by Heinz show that it kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses).

Vinegar is very useful in the home for cleaning mold and areas where bacteria can grow (like Australian tea tree oil (see below). It is very cheap–the cheapest natural antiseptic material we know about!

Here are my five favorite formulas for vinegar:

Note: All references to vinegar refer to 5 percent white distilled household vinegar.

1. Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Spray straight white distilled vinegar on the toilet bowl rim.

2. Poison Ivy Killer
Spray straight white distilled vinegar on poison ivy.

3. Cutting Board Deodorizer
Spray straight white distilled vinegar on the cutting board. Let set for at least ½ an hour. Rinse.

4. Window Cleaner
Add ¼ cup of white distilled vinegar to 2 cups of water, and a dab of liquid soap or detergent to a spray bottle.

5. Wood Cleaning Rinse
After washing wooden floors, add 1 cup of vinegar to a gallon of water to the rinse water. The detergent or soap, and many odors, are neutralized by the vinegar, and the floors are left very clean.