ProudGrandma Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 does the smell bother you or your family? If so, how do you get around that? Is there any way..i would really like to start cleaning my house more naturally, but the stink of vinegar is more than my stomach can take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I read a Pinterest thingy that said to soak citrus peels in vinegar (maybe for a week?) but I haven't tried it. It's worth a shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I had a few complaints in the beginning. Now my kids freak out if they smell a harsh cleaner, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommee & Baba Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I use essential oils. And YES the smell bugs my family when I'm not using essential oils. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Kate Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I use vinegar to clean...and I'm actually one of those weird people who likes the smell of it! However, I have found that after a bit, the smell just goes away. No one in my family seems to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 I use essential oils. And YES the smell bugs my family when I'm not using essential oils. how much does it take to scent a spray bottle of vinegar...is there one that seems to work better than others??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 When I first started using vinegar it bothered me, but like a pp's kids, the smells of regular cleaners bother me now. Vinegar just smells clean to me now. Even if I still were bothered by the smell, it really doesn't last that long- it should be gone by the time everything has dried. It was always a small inconvenience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Girls' Mom Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 The smell goes away pretty quickly, and it really doesn't take long to get used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 i'm not willing to use it due to the smell - i have yeast allergies and vinegar bothers me in general Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtoamiracle Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 doesn't bother anybody here, I use it to mop my floors. The smell dissipates, unlike commercial cleaners, and yet it freshens the air, unlike other natural cleaners I have used. I like the fresh air smell it leaves behind. I had nine dogs in my house over the summer, my dog and her mate had 7 puppies. I mopped multiple times a day with vinegar and hot water and I never smelled dog. Ever. I tried another natural cleaner and it didn't work as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 It doesn't bother us. However, some people dilute the vinegar with some water, and some add a drop or two of essential oils, so one of those strategies may help you over that hump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKidAcademy Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 It drives DH and DS right out of the house. By the time they return, the smell has dissapated. The bonus is that I get quiet time too! Seriously, yes, it bothers them so I wait til they are gone. I have to do the same with vacuuming - neither one can abide the noise in this little house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiana Daniels Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Doesn't bother me at all! In fact, that's how I know everything is clean :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne J Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I read a Pinterest thingy that said to soak citrus peels in vinegar (maybe for a week?) but I haven't tried it. It's worth a shot. Just FYI--I tried this, and the smell was pretty good. Unfortunately, the peels seem to leave oils in the vinegar and things don't come quite as clean, especially glass and mirrors. It left a film on everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommee & Baba Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 how much does it take to scent a spray bottle of vinegar...is there one that seems to work better than others??? A good amount for a spray bottle full! When I mop my kitchen floors I use 1/4 of the sink filled with water. 1 cup of vinegar. 4-5 squirts of Dawn dishsoap and about 2 TB of Lemon EO. When I clean the bathrooms I put my mixtures in an old Oxi Clean bucket and I always just pour in the EO and stop when it's to my liking. I purchase all my EO online to get the best price. http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/Essential-Oils.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 A good amount for a spray bottle full! When I mop my kitchen floors I use 1/4 of the sink filled with water. 1 cup of vinegar. 4-5 squirts of Dawn dishsoap and about 2 TB of Lemon EO. When I clean the bathrooms I put my mixtures in an old Oxi Clean bucket and I always just pour in the EO and stop when it's to my liking. I purchase all my EO online to get the best price. http://www.wholesale...ntial-Oils.aspx thank you very much for this link....I think I might actually be able to try this now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 This is what bothers me about using vinegar, except on our hardwood floors: Some environmental groups advocate “environmentally safe†products as alternatives to commercial germicides in the home-care setting. These alternatives (e.g., ammonia, baking soda, vinegar, Borax, liquid detergent) are not registered with EPA and should not be used for disinfecting because they are ineffective against S. aureus. Borax, baking soda, and detergents also are ineffective against Salmonella Typhi and E.coli; however, undiluted vinegar and ammonia are effective against S. Typhi and E.coli 53, 332, 333. http://www.cdc.gov/h...on_Nov_2008.pdf This is why I use a 10% bleach solution, applied for 10 minutes before wiping it off, in the kitchen and bathroom. It has to be made up right before it is used because it loses its effectiveness relatively quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somo_chickenlady Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Once it dries, you shouldn't smell the vinegar smell anymore. I mix half vinegar, half water, and a big squirt of scented dish soap, and that seems to help with the odor. You also get used to it. My husband used to hate it, but doesn't mind it anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 This is what bothers me about using vinegar, except on our hardwood floors: Some environmental groups advocate “environmentally safe†products as alternatives to commercial germicides in the home-care setting. These alternatives (e.g., ammonia, baking soda, vinegar, Borax, liquid detergent) are not registered with EPA and should not be used for disinfecting because they are ineffective against S. aureus. Borax, baking soda, and detergents also are ineffective against Salmonella Typhi and E.coli; however, undiluted vinegar and ammonia are effective against S. Typhi and E.coli 53, 332, 333. http://www.cdc.gov/h...on_Nov_2008.pdf This is why I use a 10% bleach solution, applied for 10 minutes before wiping it off, in the kitchen and bathroom. It has to be made up right before it is used because it loses its effectiveness relatively quickly. I am a bleach user as well. I just don't trust the environmental products for bathrooms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Instead of making an infusion with citrus peel, you can do the same with cloves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoot Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 It doesn't bother me at all. Those commercial cleaners close up my throat and give me a headache. The vinegar doesn't bother me but DH hates it. I just try to use it early in the day so that the smell has dissipated by the time he gets home. It only takes a couple of hours for the smell to go away completely. I don't use straight vinegar though. I mix vinegar, water and alcohol in a 1:1:1 ratio and then add some tea tree oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhomemaker25 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I was using it until I read it does not do a good job of disinfecting. I can't use bleach so I'm always on the look out for something that disinfects. I'm not a germ a phobe, but some things need to be disinfected. When I used it though the only smell was the initial spraying of it. After that there was no smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 The smell goes away pretty quickly, and it really doesn't take long to get used to it. This has been my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted November 21, 2012 Author Share Posted November 21, 2012 I just use it straight or mixed with water. Does not bother me that it doesn't disinfect, my home is not a hospital. That said, if I ever need to really make sure that something is disinfected I keep this around: http://www.amazon.co...215W6��It's hospital grade and kills everything. But, I use it so rarely that the 1/2 gallon I have (split a gallon with a friend), lasts me a year. your link didn't work...can you try it again??? or give me the name of the product? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoGal Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I use vinegar, water, a bit of dish soap and several drops of peppermint essential oil. The spray smells nice and pepperminty and fresh! I use this cleaner mostly in the kitchen. We don't cook with raw meat, so we don't need anything stronger. I do use conventional cleaners in the bathroom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readinmom Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 The smell bothers both ds but I use it anyways. When oldest ds used Windex to clean the bathroom, we all started choking on the fumes. I've played around with adding about 20 drops of essential oil to the spray bottle with good results. I've also added some Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap or tea trea soap to help with the smell. I like the fact that I know what's in the bottle, and that I only need to carry around one thing to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classically Minded Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I make my own "all purpose cleaner" with half vinegar, half water, drop or two of dish detergent and then a capful (14 drops) of tea tree oil. The vinegar smell goes away quickly and doesn't bother me. I add the tea tree oil as my disinfectant but occasionally I like to use Lysol wipes or bleach to clean the kitchen/bathroom whenever one of us is/has been sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsmary Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I'm actually one of those weird people who likes the smell of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysteeqz5 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I have to do my cleaning when dh is sleeping or out of the house since he doesn't like the smell. It does disappear pretty quickly as long as it's diluted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morningcoffee Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I was using it until I read it does not do a good job of disinfecting. I can't use bleach so I'm always on the look out for something that disinfects. I'm not a germ a phobe, but some things need to be disinfected. When I used it though the only smell was the initial spraying of it. After that there was no smell. Oh no! I thought vinegar was a good alternative to the commercial disinfectants :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I clean with vinegar and I believe it is a good alternative to commercial disinfectants. From my anecdotal perspective we do not get sick any more then we did before switching. As for the smell, it does not bother me (but my mother cleaned with vinegar when I was growing up so perhaps I am used to it). My kids complain but basically I tell them to suck it up. The smell dissapates fairly quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Researcher Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 I've always just put some drops of essential oils in and it works quite well. No one has ever been bothered by the smell unless it's straight vinegar. The infusion idea of citrus or cloves is a good one. I should try that soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaKinVA Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 The smell goes away pretty quickly. My kids hate the smell...but we only use vinegar on the kitchen tile (800 sq. ft of tile in that room). The rest of my wet rooms are natural stone (granite/marble), and the vinegar will etch it...so it's not recommended. I use bleach water on the porcelain surfaces, and Windex on the mirrors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom2011 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 My family used to complain about the smell, but they have gotten used to it. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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