• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
They’re here! Order my new cookie mixes now!
Main Menu
Cookbooks
Shop
Meet Audrey
Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • All Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop

Audrey Dunham

Easy. Delicious. Vegan. w/ Audrey Dunham

  • About Me
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
Display Search Bar
All Recipes
Main dishes
Appetizers
breakfast
desserts
soups
cookies

Skip the Harsh Chemicals and Clean With This!

Rate
from the kitchen of: Audrey Dunham
September 18, 2015

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Most cleaning products are a big source of indoor pollution! Luckily, there is one natural ingredient that most of us already have that cleans just as well.

Roadie in front of a broom and a trash can filled with bottles

What’s wrong with standard cleaning products?

They certainly get the job done, that’s for sure. But I think we can all agree that the strong smell of common household cleaning products is a bit overwhelming at times. And for good reason, too! The truth is, most cleaning products, as innocent as they may seem in their commercials on TV, are a big source of indoor pollution and are often considered unsafe to inhale, touch and ingest.

What should I clean with instead?

Luckily, there is one natural ingredient that most of us already have in our cabinets that will accomplish many of our cleaning missions just as keenly! What natural ingredient is this? Why, it’s distilled white vinegar. True story! I made the switch to cleaning most areas of the house with white vinegar and my nose and lungs have never been happier. Cleaning with white vinegar is also super awesome because it inhibits the growth of mold, mildew and some bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. And the added bonus is that vinegar is WAY cheaper than those crazy chemical-y products, anyway. Try out these cleaning “recipes” and see what you think!

unnamed

How to Clean with White Distilled Vinegar:

Floors*
Add ½ cup white distilled vinegar to half gallon of warm water and mop away!

*Do not use this on marble, wooden or waxed floors.

Windows
Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water in an empty spray bottle. Spray windows, then use a soft cloth to do the drying.

Stainless Steel Appliances
First, apply a splash of vinegar to a soft cloth and try wiping a small not-so-obvious place on the appliance. If all looks good and sparkly afterwards, continue cleaning with the vinegar.

Shower Doors
Soak a sponge in vinegar and wipe down doors to remove soap stains.

Toilet Bowls
For stained bowls, add 3 cups of vinegar to the toilet water and let sit for 30 minutes. Then, scrub away!

Drip Coffee Makers*
Fill the water reservoir with white vinegar and run it through a brewing cycle. Rinse very well with water when finished.

*Check coffee maker manual before trying this.

Food Stains in the Interior of the Microwave
Microwave a cup containing ¼ cup vinegar and 1 cup water for about a minute and a half. This will help loosen stains and improve the odor.

Goo-gone Replacer
Yep! Just soak a corner of a cleaning cloth with vinegar and use that instead.

What to never clean with vinegar:

  • Granite and marble countertops or floors
  • Stone floor tiles
  • Hardwood floors
  • Your iron

Give some of these cleaning recipes a shot and let me know what you think in the comments below!

To learn about the effects of dangerous chemicals found in many household products, check out the articles below:

  • https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/how-toxic-are-your-household-cleaning-supplies
  • http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/ART00576
  • http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/cleaning-supplies.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

Looking for other at-home tips? Then you have to check out this info:

  • What to Do with Leftover Fruit Salad
  • The Best Way to Chop an Onion
  • The Best Way to Chop a Watermelon
  • What’s in my Kids’ Vegan Lunchbox
  • How to Get Your Kids to Eat Vegetables
Kitchen Tips
3 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Audrey Dunham

Hi there, my name is Audrey Dunham. I'm a vegan recipe creator, the founder of Autumn Sons Baking Co., Peanut’s Bake Shop, and I'm totally food obsessed. I'm also the wife of Jeff Dunham, mama to twin boys, and (step) Mama to three grown girls. I'm here to help make vegan eating as easy, approachable and DELICIOUS as possible.

Read more
guest
Recipe Rating




guest
Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

11 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

sidebar

Welcome

Meet Audrey

Hi there, my name is Audrey Dunham. I’m a vegan recipe creator, cookbook author, and the founder of both Autumn Sons Baking Co. and Peanut’s Bake Shop Cookie Mixes. I’m also a mama to twin boys, (step)mama to three grown girls, and wife to funny man, Jeff Dunham,

I’m here to help make vegan eating as easy, approachable and DELICIOUS as possible! Hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I enjoyed creating them.

Read More

Browse by Category

psst! All My recipes are vegan!

main dishes
appetizers
breakfast
Desserts
all vegan recipes

Trending Now

See the recipes we’re loving lately in the Dunham household!

vegan lemon pasta with broccoli

One Pot Vegan Lemon Pasta with Broccoli

full shot of mason jar with apple crisp overnight oats

Apple Crisp Overnight Oats

15-Minute Vegan Stir Fry

rice crispy treats on a red plate

Vegan Marshmallow Crispy Treats

Top Recipes

Here are my most popular recipes!

Brussels sprouts after being tossed with balsamic glaze

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies

4-Ingredient Soft Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies (Gluten Free Option)

Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower

Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower with Vegan Ranch Dip (Gluten free option)

Chunky Cabbage and Carrot Soup

Chunky Cabbage and Carrot Soup

free recipe book!

Get a FREE copy of my “8 Vegan Cookies in 8 Ingredients or Less!” eBook and be notified about new recipes, product releases, and events!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Loading

Browse Vegan Recipes:

breakfast
appetizers
dinners
sides
dessert
drinks
All recipes
rice crispy treats on a red plate
Back to Top
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
Contact
Privacy Policy
Disclosure
Accessibility
© 2025 Audrey Dunham
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
3 shares
wpDiscuz