We’re big fans of using vinegar to clean our home! With pets and kids running around, it’s important to minimize toxic cleaning solutions as much as possible. Vinegar does a great job with laundry, deodorizing, and removing rust. But, there are some things that should never come into contact with vinegar. Read the list to find out if you’re guilty of using vinegar on these items!

1. Stone Floor Tiles

Acidic cleaners are never good for natural stone. Lemon, vinegar, and ammonia are some of the acids you should keep away from stone. Stick to using a special stone soap, or you can use dish detergent and warm water.

2. Your Iron

Vinegar can actually damage the internal parts of your iron. If your iron gets clogged, make sure you empty it completely after each use, and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

3. Egg stain or Spill

The next time you drop an egg on the floor, or have an egg stain on your clothes, don’t reach for the vinegar. The acidity in the vinegar can cause the egg to coagulate, making it harder to remove.

4. Granite and Marble Countertops

Just like with the stone floors, granite and marble countertops should never be cleaned with vinegar. The acid can actually etch the stone. Use dish detergent and water instead.

5. Hardwood Floors

Some homeowners find that vinegar cleans their sealed hardwood floors well, and others say it damages the finish. To stay on the safe side, clean your floors with a cleaner specifically formulated for hardwood. If you would like to try vinegar, dilute it with water and try it in a corner or other hidden area before washing the whole floor with it.

6. Some Stubborn Stains

Grass stains, ice cream, ink, and blood won’t come out with vinegar alone. These stains set in the fabric quickly and don’t respond to acid. Instead, treat them with a pre-wash stain remover and wash them with a detergent that contains enzymes.

Photos: Innovative Living, Ironing Services Tamworth, Fine Art America, AP Granite Countertops Orange County, Wood Floors by Ace, Jump Reports, Frugal Living Now.

Dry cleaning is cleaning a room without sinks or any water sources. Dust and dirt tend to fly when they’re disturbed, and a dry room is always cleaned starting from the top to the bottom. Working around the room only once saves you time, and makes the job go by faster. Read our steps on how to handle cleaning a dry room!

Step 1:

Place the wastebasket outside the door to be emptied. You can get rid of the trash at the end.

Step 2:

Move around the room in sections, and always start from the top. Use a long-handled duster and wipe down crown moldings, door tops, and the tops of photos and other artwork. Clean photo glass and windows with a cloth sprayed with glass cleaner.

Step 3:

Now it’s time to tackle horizontal surfaces. Dust any knick-knacks on mantles, shelves, or tabletops with a cleaning cloth, then dust the surface beneath them. Apply a spray of cleaner to loosen any soil on windowsills or counter tops. Dust furniture legs and wipe the dust from baseboards.

Step 4:

From circling the room and working from the top to the bottom, clean any furniture in the center. Vacuum the floor and empty and replace the wastebasket. For a final touch, spray the room with freshener to leave it smelling great!

Photos: Housekeeping.about, Housekeeping.wonderhowto, Life Hacker.