Cheaper and Safer Way to Clean Glass Windows

with Homemade a Glass Cleaner

In cleaning glass windows, mass-produced commercial glass cleaners are expensive, may not always be available and may contain chemicals you don’t want to be exposed to. Moreover, inexpensive, shady brand-less mass-produced glass cleaners from places that have corrupt government and lacks safety and health standards, like China, may have unknown harmful toxins that is not worth the risk. The remedy is making your own homemade glass cleaner from common household items either household ammonia or white vinegar, but I strongly recommended using white vinegar than household ammonia. 

Before opting out from using household ammonia, let’s understand what it is. Basically household ammonia is a solution of water with 5-10% ammonium hydroxide and has been used as a cleaning product. In general, ammonia is a common ingredient in most commercial cleaning products, fertilizers, plastics, synthetic fibers, dyes, colorings and pharmaceuticals. And in large and concentrate quantity it is toxic to most living things, same with dish washing soap and tea tree oil. But ammonia is more toxic than dish washing soap but less than chlorine based bleach. Hence, when using ammonia as cleaning agent safety precaution must be observed especially around children and pets, since ammonia can cause irritation and even burns skin and mucous membrane in prolonged contact. Moreover, that is the reason for frequent diapers change and hygienic clean up are a must for neonates, both human and other mammals, since ammonia is formed when urea in urine, breaks down. With regards to the impact of ammonia in the environment, that warrants another whole article or two, so let the blogger know if interest and watch out for it.      

White vinegar may be less effective than household ammonia in cleaning things that are oily since the base quality of ammonia reacts with oils and fats, from fingerprints, dirt and grease stains, forming soap and the water in the household ammonia solution washes off the soap formed, leaving a clear streak-free surface. However, white vinegar is less toxic and can be a good glass cleaner. A mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water and a little hint of dishwashing liquid make a good homemade glass cleaner.

These are the materials needed in cleaning glass windows: homemade glass cleaner in a 500 ml spray bottle, soft sponge, high quality microfiber cloth or old petroleum-based ink newspaper, squeegee, and cotton swabs and/or soft toothbrush.

Steps in Cleaning Glass Windows

1. Schedule a convenient cleaning day. As per recommended in previous households cleaning article, schedule cleaning glass windows every quarter to avoid build up of dirt, grim and dust, and the need for an extra step in cleaning of windows’ frame and glass. Yet, cleaning would also depends on the glass window prominent and visibility in the living space, and how fast it accumulation dirt, fingerprints and stains. Always choose to wash glass windows on an overcast or cloudy day, or when direct sunlight could not hit the glass to prevent the homemade solution to dry off before able to wipe off the dirt that result to streaks.

 2. Clean window frame before cleaning the glass. Always wipe clean the window frames with damp cleaning cloth before cleaning the glass. And for extremely dirty glass, start by washing it with a soft sponge soaked in homemade glass cleaning solution with a little more liquid detergent, let it sit for a minute to soften the dirt, then wipe clean, repeat until satisfied. Do not forget to clean the corners, cotton swabs and/or soft toothbrush are great tools.

3. A streaks-free polish. Spray, to mist not soak, the glass with homemade glass cleaner. Wipe it off with loosely crumpled old newspaper, microfiber cloth, or a squeegee. Start wiping from top left corner to the top right corner and then down and start back again at the left side. Spot clean as needed.  

  

What do you think of this simple and inexpensive cleaning solution? Please feel free to share your thoughts and leave comments, questions, suggestions and/or corrections below. And do not forget to follow such show of support would greatly help this blog create better content. Thank you.

As always keep it clean and simple.

Reference

1. Neal, S.Y. (2017, August 21). A Simple Cleaning Schedule. [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://inourhomesweethome.blogspot.com/2017/08/a-simple-cleaning-schedule_17.html

2. Neal, S.Y. (2018, March 15). Simple Way to Clean Mirrors. [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://inourhomesweethome.blogspot.com/2018/03/simple-way-to-clean-mirrors.html

3. SFGate. (n.d.) Vinegar and Ammonia Window Cleaning. [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/vinegar-ammonia-window-cleaning-48916.html

4. McCulloch, K. (2013, July 2). Is Ammonia Good or Evil? [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://sustainablesuburbia.net/is-ammonia-good-or-evil/

Vinegar and Laundry

White Distilled Vinegar is an environmentally safe odour neutralizer.  

Cleaning with Distilled -White Vinegar

The increasing advocacy for environmental friendly and safe cleaning products advance the use of alternatives especially natural and good grade products as cleaning and disinfecting products.  However, it has been discourage to rely on natural products as alternative for disinfectant, as they have been tested and founded out that are less effective than the commercial household disinfectants. An exception is vinegar, as Dr. Rutala (2000) concludes undiluted acidic solution is effective against Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli [1].   And to be more specific, since are a number of types of vinegar, white or distilled vinegar.

White or distilled vinegar is compost of 5% to 8% acetic acid in water and has a pH of 2.4 to 2.6, making it the most acidic among vinegars [2]. Since distilled vinegar is production is inexpensive compare to other vinegar. Its acidity, availability, accessibility and affordability would make white vinegar the right vinegar for cleaning.

Other Uses of Distilled Vinegar in the Kitchen

As an alternative disinfectant, a cleaner, and a deodorizer

1. Disinfect cutting board

Bacteria like Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli and high microbial load have been commonly associated with food poisoning and proper food hygiene has been an important part to thwart such preventable illnesses. Just in case, one run out of 3.0% hydrogen peroxide and/or bleach, undiluted distilled vinegar is an effective alternative. After scrubbing clean cutting boards with soap and water, soak it by spraying undiluted white vinegar, and let it sit for 15 minutes, before rinsing and drying.   

2. Clean, disinfect and neutralize chemicals residue on vegetable and fruits

Vegetables and fruits bought in the store or from the backyard garden are riddled with contaminants from soil humus to agricultural pesticide residue to fruit polish. As a precaution wash clean and soak with vinegar solution or spray undiluted white vinegar, then let it sit for 15-20 minutes, would help decrease microbial load and chemical residues.  

3. Shine dishware and glassware

Cloudiness and dullness in dishware and glassware may be cause by lime and minerals in the water. Easy solution is to soak items in a shallow pan or tub with 4 liters of hot-warm water and 500 ml of vinegar. The acidity of vinegar can dissolve some minerals.

4. Clean burnt pots and pans

Cooking especially frying meats and reducing sauces could lead to unfortunate a burnt residue in precious pot and/or pan. Easy and gentler solution is to boil just enough water to cover the pan or pot surface and 250 ml of vinegar together. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, remove from heat, transfer to sink and add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda. Expect a reaction, if the water is bearable may start scrubbing, may add baking soda and proceed to normal cleaning. May repeat procedure until burnt stains are satisfying removed.    

5. De-clog and deodorize drains

Oils, soaps residue and other organic material clogs and stinks a sink. Inexpensive solution is drain clog water, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar in to the drain. As chemical reaction subsides flush with hot water. Test by flushing cold water and repeat if necessary. Vinegar reduces odor-causing bacteria thus help in eliminating stinky sink smell. 

6. Dissolve and clean stains on faucet and showerheads

Remove soap scum, brines, water stains, and water-mineral stains on plumbing fixture vinegar solution. For stained faucets spray it with vinegar, cover with kitchen paper towel and spray the cover until soak through. Let it sit overnight or 2-4 hours, then clean as normal, may repeat until satisfied. To unclog showerheads, fill a plastic bag with one part water and one part vinegar. Place the showerhead inside, subsequently letting the vinegar bag dangle but secure it with rubber band or the likes. Let it soak overnight or 2-4 hours.

Solution and concentration in these cleaning tips are modeled from distilled or white vinegar, if one is using a different types might need to alter concentration. Keep separate containers of vinegar for cooking, for cleaning food and food items and another for general domestic cleaning, if possible, this is to prevent cross contamination.

With conscious effort to be short and simple, other uses will be featured in another post. If interested to learn more uses of this common, inexpensive and versatile culinary ingredient, vinegar, please do watch out for it.

Is this cleaning tip interesting? If you want to know more about this vinegar and its other non cooking uses or any cleaning hack please post your questions, inquiries and requests in the comment section below, and do not forget to follow. If you have tried these cleaning tips please share your experience and its result. And if you find this article lacking, please share why and please do post reactions, suggestions and corrections. And maybe follow to somehow help this blog post better content. Thank you!

As always keep safe and enjoy!

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Last Updated February 2017.). Guidelines for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008.  Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/

2. Kinkead, E.B., Sehbai, D.S. & Tunney, C.J. (Eds.). (1972). Modern Century Illustrated Encyclopedia ( Vols. 9). Australia: McGraw-hill Far Eastern Publishers.

Vinegar - A Must Have

Vinegar is a familiar and ordinary item in the kitchen, now it becoming a must have household product. It is a sour- tasting liquid, used mostly in cooking as a culinary ingredient and as a condiment, and in pickling as a preservative. Since an advocacy of environmentally safe products, vinegar has become one of the top alternatives and has been at par based on popular demand with commercial cleaning and disinfecting products. 

What is Vinegar?

Vinegar is a sour liquid traditionally produced by fermentation of dilute alcoholic liquids, like wine, cider, or beer. This traditional fermentation process takes place slowly for few months, or even a year, where a natural biological processes of accumulation of a certain bacteria that oxidized ethanol to produce acetic acid. Another, faster method that takes only between 20 hours to three days, is by adding bacterial culture to the preferred liquid to promote fermentation and production of acetic acid.

The most important organic acid in our modern industrial times is acetic acid. It is also the main component of vinegar about 5-20% together with water and other trace chemicals. This organic acid gives vinegar not only its sour taste but also its acidic quality.  Acid is any compound that can easily lose a hydrogen ion, since a hydrogen ion is a simple proton, hence it is also called a proton donors, or sometimes electron. Acids react with bases and alkalis to form neutral compounds called salts. It is said to neutralize bases when they do this, as the common table salt or sodium chloride (NaCl) , formed when hydrochloric acids reacts and neutralized sodium hydroxide to sodium chloride and evaporated water. Vinegar cannot react corrosively that it could melt a penny but it is more acidic than an orange juice. It could melt a chicken’s egg shell in 48 hours but it is less acidic than gastric acid [1].

Types of Vinegar

There are dozens of different types of vinegar depends on the source of liquid. Varieties of vinegars have pH ranging from 2.6 to 6.0. Some may believe that some vinegar is alkaline-like, however and without a doubt vinegars are acids. They are weak acids in which it doesn’t lose it protons easily than strong acids. Here are some types of vinegar, commonly used and a must have in a pantry and/or a cleaning closet, or at least have a try.

1. White Vinegar

Among vinegars the white vinegar is quite unique as it is made of laboratory-produced acetic acid through fermentation of distillated alcohol, then diluted with water; hence the name and known for as “distilled white vinegar” or “distilled vinegar.”  The solution is compost of 5% to8% acetic acid in water and having a pH of 2.4 to 2.6. It is the most acidic among vinegars which makes it a good cleaner. As Dr. Rutala concluded in their study of natural cleaning products, undiluted vinegar is effective against two specific disease-causing microorganisms, which are S. Typhi and E. coli [2]. With its acidity it is a popular alternative for an environmentally safe cleaner and disinfectant. And so it is used in laboratory, and for medicinal and therapeutic reason. As a food ingredient it is commonly used in cooking, baking, and food preservation.

2. Balsamic Vinegar

This is the vinegar that prompted this article, great concern that  there are some cheap balsamic vinegar posing as the much expensive, marked, traditional, aged balsamic vinegar. The original and traditional balsamic vinegar is made from the concentrated juice of white Trebbiano grapes aged from 12 to 25 years, in successive variety of wood barrels, in the provinces of Italy [3]. Moreover, it has no balsam fruit in it. Importantly, it has a “Protected Designation of Origin” status and marked “tradizionale” or “DOC” this is to protect names and quality of regional agricultural products across European Union. This vinegar has a very dark brown, rich, sweet, mellow and complex, and notably aromatic. It usually has a pH of lower than 3, yet its acidic has been masked by the sweetness of other   ingredients. The cheaper non-DOC commercial form, also known as “aceto balsamico di Modena” or balsamic vinegar of Modena, is typically made from concentrated grape juice mixed with a strong vinegar, then coloured and slightly sweetened with caramel and sugar .    

Balsamic vinegar is used as a good quality food ingredient, from a salad dressing to marinades. It is used to add flavor and bring flavors together by using it to finish soups and sauce and braise dishes. It can be reduced to syrup and drizzled over vanilla ice cream or plain crepe. And a vinegar-based cocktails and soda are surely a healthier option.

3. Cider Vinegar 

Also known as apple cider vinegar or ACV is a type of vinegar made from cider or squeezed apple juices. It has a pale to medium amber color, while unpasteurized ACV has a cobweb-like appearance and slightly congealed as it contains cellulose and acetic acid-forming bacteria. It is used as a food ingredient such as a salad dressing, vinaigrettes, marinades and chutneys, as a food preservative in pickling, and as vinegar-based drinks.

4. Cane Vinegar

This type of vinegar is made from sugarcane juice, fermented either by slow or fast method. Well-known variations are from the Philippines, Brazil and India, but the kind of vinegar from the Philippines is the most appealing.  It ranges from dark yellow to golden brown in color. Similar to balsamic and rice vinegar, it has a mellow flavor, and much “fresher” taste compare to distilled white vinegar. It is mostly used as a food ingredient in vinegar-based stock for soup, dressing for raw fish dishes and marinades.  

Other Uses of Vinegar

1.  As cleaner and mild disinfectant:

• clean and disinfect cutting board
• clean, disinfect and neutralize chemicals on vegetable and fruits
• shine dishware and glassware
• clean pots and pans
• de-clog and deodorize drain
• dissolve and clean soap scum and brines or water stains deposit showerheads

2.  As an odor neutralizer:

• remove foul odor from drains, refrigerator, and microwave
• remove foul odor on clothes and  perspiration discoloration
• prevent and remove unpleasant smell produced by bacteria on the skin or body odor
• unmark pet spot

3.  As a fabric  softener:

• soften clothes and brighten colors

This is just a short introduction about vinegar, its different types and different uses.  A more detailed description on how to use vinegar as a cleaner and disinfectant, odor neutralizer and fabric softener will be available in the next cleaning tips blog post. Please watch out for it.

Do you like this article? If you do and want to know more please leave a comment and questions below and don’t forget to follow. If you find this article lacking please feel free to post reactions, suggestions, and corrections. And also follow to help this blog to create better content. Thank you!

As always keep it clean and simple. Enjoy!

References

1. Kinkead, E.B., Sehbai, D.S. & Tunney, C.J. (Eds.). (1972). Modern Century Illustrated Encyclopedia ( Vols. 9). Australia: McGraw-hill Far Eastern Publishers.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Last Updated February 2017.). Guidelines for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008.  Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/

3. Italia Regina. (n.d.). History of Balsamic Vinegar. [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.italiaregina.it/balsamic-vinegar-aceto-balsamico-del-duca/ 

Sink that Stink

For kitchen sink with garbage disposal, there is nothing quite as stinky as the smell of a dirty garbage disposal, but it is quite simple to make the problem to go away. Toss in a few rinds from citrus fruits and turn the disposal on. An even more powerful method is to make a batch of ice cubes with a healthy dose of vinegar in them; pour the cubes down the drain and turn it on. The smell will disappear almost immmediately! Before doing this, however, you should test the disposal with one or two cubes, to make sure that it is strong enough.