A CLEANING guru has revealed how to stop wasting money on products and which inexpensive alternatives to use instead.
Caroline, better known to her 220.4k fans as Neat Caroline, took to TikTok to share which common household products work just as effective when cleaning your home.
According to the pro, from New York, the US, you don't need to buy a special spray to remove any marks from your windows.
The key, she revealed in the video, can be found in your kitchen cupboard – vinegar.
''Instead of Windex, use equal parts vinegar and water.''
Caroline simply combined the two and sprayed the DIY solution onto her windows before giving them a good swipe with a clean cloth.
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For making stainless steal sparkle like new, the cleaning enthusiast recommended another cheap alternative.
''Just spray equal parts of rubbing alcohol and water.''
Once done, the guru, who regularly shares tips and tricks on social media, covered her fridge with the mix and wiped it clean.
If you're looking to save money where possible, Caroline also advised to not bother purchasing multisurface cleaners.
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Instead, make your own using one teaspoon of regular washing-up liquid and two cups of water.
Since being uploaded on the popular video-sharing platform, the clip has racked up almost 14k views in less than a day.
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But despite Caroline claiming these worked wonders, not everyone seem to be convinced – some insisted the store-bought versions were more effective.
One commented: ''Tried them all, went back to the original.''
Someone else wondered: ''But i dont like the smell of vinegar and wont it stink up the place [sic].''
''I would put 1-2 drops of essential oil: I use lemongrass! It leaves a nice scent and it’s not greasy or anything,'' a third recommended.
''Exactly what I do!'' exclaimed a fellow cleaning fanatic.
Vinegar has become all the rage amongst cleaning fans – but did you know you shouldn't be using it on everything?
According to a cleaning expert at Zapata's Cleaning Services, there are some blunders you might be making when it comes to vinegar and particular cases that the cleaning solution is perfect for.
In a social media video, a woman from a family-owned business detailed the dos and don'ts of using vinegar in your cleaning routine.
"Vinegar is a natural and inexpensive cleaner. It could be used on a lot of different surfaces," she began in a viral TikTok video that was shared with the company's 120.1k followers. "But there are dos and don'ts when it comes to using vinegar."
THE DON'TS
You should not mix bleach and vinegar, according to the expert.
As vinegar is an acid, it releases toxic chlorine vapors when mixed with bleach.
Hydrogen peroxide, a highly reactive chemical, should not be mixed with vinegar either.
Combining them creates a peracetic acid, which is potentially toxic and can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
Mixing baking soda and vinegar is also not optimal.
Though it won't create a toxic gas, it will be a waste of a product.
"All you will create is basically salt, so you're wasting two products that work perfectly well independent of each other," the expert explained.
She also stated that vinegar should not be used to clean stone surfaces, be it the shower, countertop, or floors.
She said: "Even if you dilute the vinegar with water, it will still cause damage to limestone, marble, slate, and other stone surfaces."
THE DOS
Vinegar can be used to remove rust and corrosion from your faucet, per the expert.
She also suggested that in place of fabric softener when doing laundry, you should use vinegar.
"It will soften and deodorize your clothes, [but] your clothes will not smell like vinegar," she shared.
Vinegar could revive your towels as well.
The expert explained: "If your towels start to feel stiff, toss them in the washer and add half of a cup of vinegar, but do not add detergent.
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"The vinegar will remove detergent residue and minerals that are making the towels feel scratchy."
In addition, she advised combining one cup of vinegar, one cup of water, and half a cup of lemon or lime juice in a microwave-safe bowl in order to clean a dirty microwave.
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
- How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
- Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
- Clean your shower to ensure it's always sparkling
- How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
- Here's how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
- You're cleaning your carpet all wrong – here's how to get it spotless again in no time
- Unblock a toilet without a plunger
- Clean your fabric or leather sofa in a few easy steps
- If you haven't cleaned your mattress in ages, here's how
- Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
- This is how to clean mirrors and windows without streaking
- Keep your toilet clean in four easy steps
- Give your TV screen a once-over
- Did you know your Venetian, Roman, vertical, or roller blinds also need cleaning?
- Deep-clean your fridge in five simple steps
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