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.

The right mop is what will decide if your floors are going to be left sparkling or not. Choosing the right one is important if you want to get your floors clean, and make them stay that way for as long as possible. Using the wrong mop only cleans the surface grime, making dirt accumulate much faster, but the right mop will get all the way down to the floor and scrub away any trace of grease or dirt.

Everyone should have at least 2 mops:

1. Wet mop – to clean up spills and wash hard-surface floors.

2. Dry mop – to collect dry dust, dirt, and pet hair.

When you choose a mop for wet cleaning, remember its purpose. Not only should it dissolve dirt, but it must remove it from the floor. For this reason, avoid string mops. They’re too heavy to lift when wet and impossible to rinse clean. Instead, get yourself a large-headed wet mop with a swivel base and removable terry covers. This mop will do dual duty; a dry cover quickly picks up spilled liquids, while a cover immersed in cleaning solution dissolves and lifts dirt easily. When the cover gets dirty, simply wash it and replace it.

Sponge mops are also efficient in cleaning spills and floors. Larger cleaning heads get the job done faster, and make sure you get one made of metal – a plastic one can’t stand up to the tough job and can break.

Dry mops come in many forms. Small disposable mops slide easily into tight corners, but they’re flimsy and replacement pads are too expensive. Microfibre mops are a great choice because they’re inexpensive, and can be washed, dried, and reused. Use them to pick up dry soil and crumbs in the kitchen. As with the wet mop, make sure you get one made of metal, and with a swivel base.

Photos: Housekeeping.about, Cleaning Services College Station, North Tryon.