http://www.care2.com/greenliving/vinegar-antiseptic-floor-wash.html
Vinegar as Antiseptic: Floor Wash with Herbs
Adapted from Better Basics for the Home by Annie Berthold-Bond (Three Rivers Press, 1999).
Numerous studies cited by Michael Mullen of the Heinz Company have shown that a 5% solution of vinegar (straight out of the store-bought bottle) kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). And, unlike most commercial antibacterial cleaners, vinegar is non-toxic!
This terrific floor wash formula combines the germ-fighting power of vinegar with sweet-smelling herbs for clean floors that can’t be beat. Perfect for ridding the house of the stale smell of winter.
Floor Cleaner with Fragrant Herbs
1/8 cup liquid soap or detergent
1/4 to 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 cup fragrant herb tea (peppermint is great as it adds antibacterial qualities)
Combine ingredients in a pail or bucket. Swirl the water around until it is sudsy. Proceed as normal.
Shelf Life: Discard unused formula
More from Annie B. Bond (3244 articles available)
Go to the Source
related stories
-
If you’re like me, you don’t usually use the words "fun"…
(10 comments)
-
Once on a plane I sat next to one of the world's experts on…
(87 comments)
-
annie
Natural antiseptics can be made at home instead of buying…
(2 comments)
Annie B.
Melissa
Jana
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Eric
Andrew
Dave
Robyn
Deepak
17 comments
add your comment »I use the vinegar w/liquid soap & borax on floors..will try the liquid soap/vinegar for counters & stove too. I use vinegar/water solution for cat box. First I wash the cat box w/liquid soap& water and dry - then spray w/vinegar/water and let stand for 10 minutes or so before refilling. This acts as a disinfectant I believe. Used to clean it w/clorox solution until I found out how bad bleach is for the environment. Vinegar also helps w/cat box odors.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I used dawn Oxy Plus any liquid soap would be fine... I use that because if I am cleaning around a stove that hasn't been clean in a while there will be grease from butter and over cooking, spills.. etc So that is what I would use vinger alone doesn't have grease cutting that is why you need the Dawn any dish soap will be fine
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I use Dawn Oxy plus ... Dawn is ok of pets too cuts grease if you might have to clean in front of the stove where you might have grease... Otherwise it is good with any kind of liquid soap...
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
On the wood floors, I rinse, but I'm not sure it's necessary. The most important thing is to keep the wood floor as dry as possible during the whole process. I pour about 1/2 cup vingar into a gallon of warm water, wring the mop as dry as I can, and then rinse with another mop barely damp with plain warm water - just small areas at a time. I'm going to try adding the mint tea - it should smell wonderful. Once in a while I do a whole room with cloths (sitting on the floor) instead of mops and get it *really* clean, including the corners, baseboards, etc. It never has that tacky, sticky feeling after it dries like you sometimes get with commercial products.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I am assuming that one will need to rinse w/ clear water after this..... ???? Please advise. Thanks, N
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Advice from two professional wood floor guys: On wood floors with polyurethane finish ("Swedish" finish), plain vinegar and water solution, without the addition of soap, protects the surface so that when the floor surface wears, it can be recoated without sanding. The use of soap can leave a slight residue that makes sanding necessary before recoating.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I put a bit of borax in the floor cleaner with the vinegar and liquid soap. Any type of liquid soap will work-Dr. Bronners liquid is pure natural liquid casteel but any liquid will work.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
"liquid soap" Is that laundry soap? Dish soap? Hand soap? Murphy's Oil soap? All or none of these?
The "recipes" on here are often too vague to be helpful.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
How about wood floors?
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
How about on wood floors?
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?