Quick Tip: All About Vinegar

[@tamrawalker8336]

I love your GIY Soft Scrub so, after watching today's video, I wondered why it was fine to combine vinegar and soap in the soft scrub recipe. So I revisited that GIY video and you clarify that vinegar is attracted to the baking soda first, creating that foamy reaction, and it leaves the soap alone to do its job. Thank you for all of your helpful videos and resources!

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Gotta love that chemistry!

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

It’s all based on wishful thinking. She’s no chemist.

[@jeannotgamache2598]

I so very much love these Quick Tip episodes!!! Always extremely helpful to me ! Thank you Lisa!! 😍🌻

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Excellent! It's great to hear these are helpful, Jeannot!

[@pamackenzie]

Thank you! I have been using Sal Suds for my laundry for a year or so. It works great. I put about a 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of citric acid in the final rinse as a softener. But as for vinegar, my favorite uses are: I fill a spray bottle with full-strength white vinegar with a 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid and a 1/2 teaspoon of Sal Suds (it sounds like I should leave out the Sal Suds from this from now on) and spray my shower after each use. It works really well to keep the mineral deposits away. I also love using vinegar and water as a produce wash. It should be a fairly strong solution for it to kill bacteria. Consumer Reports did a study. It won't kill all bacteria, but it will kill some. I soak produce for about 10 minutes, depending on what I'm soaking.

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

Lol. Diluted vinegar = worthless.

[@valerieescabi6104]

Hi Lisa, Bronner❤❤

[@carolhowell4769]

Thanks for the information! Dr. Bronner's is great!

[@trentfarmer9862]

Using Dr Bronner castile soap for over three decades and I just assumed that using it on glass and windows was not something I that would work until I had a beach cottage and I started using it on all the windows inside and outside... was surprised how well it works on mirrors but it just requiresthe extra step of following up with a dry terry cloth towel

[@mariachang2505]

Thank you so much Lisa! 💞🌷

[@debv7496]

Great tips. 👍 💚

[@markstamas99]

Thank you Lisa. Great info.

[@jenihansen7201]

Thank you , Thank you. Great Information.

[@renepena3024]

Great info, thanks.

[@karlagrant3405]

Very useful info, thanks Lisa!

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

I'm glad this was helpful, Karla!

[@lynnettawilliams2138]

Thanks

[@marietc4960]

Hi! I was wondering if there is a video about how to make an Air Freshener. I can't find a good one that really absorbs/eliminates smoke odors

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Hi Marie- I recommend mixing a few drops of your favorite essential oils into baking soda which is a great natural deodorizer on its own. Mix with a fork, sprinkle on fabrics and carpets, then vacuum up. (Spot test this first for desired results.) For a general room freshener, put a stovetop potpourri on or spritz a bit of our Lavender or Peppermint Hand Sanitizer into the air. I'm sometimes asked if it's possible to spray our soaps to freshen a room, and while I agree our soaps smell great, you wouldn’t want to spray on fabrics without rinsing it off.

[@jackiebucholtz2809]

Hi Lisa! Thank you for the great videos! Question regarding vinegar and soap. I recently heard mixing 1 cup of vinegar with one cup of Dawn, heating for 1 minute, works wonders on soap scum in your shower. Your thoughts?

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Hi Jackie- I'm not familiar with the specific chemistry of Dawn, but I know that our products (both Castile Soap and Sal Suds) are impeded by vinegar. Speaking from the perspective of a manufacturer, we design our products to work optimally as is, and additives with drastically different pH likely will react and impact performance negatively. For cleaning performance, I would suspect that Proctor & Gamble's R&D team has evaluated whether increasing the acidity of Dawn with vinegar improves performance. Likely they determined the best pH and already formulated it to be that. It's never a good idea to mix anything with a store-bought cleaner unless instructed by the manufacturer. Chemistry happens.

[@capucinemaneckjee5276]

Thank you for these videos You mention using Castille soap on your hair, followed by a apple cider vinegar rinse. I just purchased a bottle of liquid Castille soap with the intention of making my own shampoo. Do you mind sharing more about this? Do you dilute the soap, and the vinegar?

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

I don't mind at all! I wash my hair regularly with the Castile Soap or the Organic Sugar Soap (whichever strikes my fancy that day). A good ½ Tbsp. of Castile Soap or a pump of Sugar Soap is enough for my long, thick hair. As I mention in the video, when using soap, the key is to follow up with an acidic rinse. The soap has an alkaline pH which makes our hair kind of tacky/sticky feeling. The acidic rinse smooths everything down. There are two options for an acidic rinse. For my long, thicker hair, I use about 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (ACV) diluted with another 1/2 cup of water. Or, I dilute a capful of Dr. Bronner’s Organic Citrus Hair Rinse in 1 cup of water and then pour it over my head and work it through and rinse thoroughly. Use less of either dilution if your hair is shorter. During the couple weeks of transition, especially if you’re coming from a conventional shampoo/conditioner regimen, you may need to use another crème conditioner after the rinse. This article on my Going Green with Lisa Bronner website has a few more details, bit.ly/ShampooToSoap.

[@samiam5021]

I love all your videos, and am astonished that how effective sal suds, Dr b’s Castile soap, the GIY soft scrub are. Given that, a clarifying question re 6x concentrated white vinegar. I realize that it’s more powerful and ergo potentially harmful, but my understanding is that it’s meant to be diluted 6:1 with water to make white vinegar, which can then be diluted further. Or when you call for a cup of white vinegar to condition hand washed wool (thank you for that video!), I can wait until there is a gallon of water and then put in an ounce. Eg, if I “dilute, dilute, dilute!” Is there any downside to using concentrated white vinegar? The big up side to me: I hate paying companies to send water in plastic containers to my store, and I also live in a small home with limited storage space. I value highly concentrated, multi-tasking products. So I don’t want to give up my 6x concentrated vinegar unless I really ought to. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for your awesome work!

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

I’m so glad all this is useful. You are absolutely correct that if you dilute the concentrated vinegar, you can use it at the strength of conventional vinegar. I do agree with you about shipping water. Very frustrating that it’s done so often. So yes indeed, dilute, dilute, dilute!

[@Stacey-k3b]

I love these videos!! :)

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

I'm so glad these are helpful!

[@sheltielover25]

Hi Lisa, do you recommend microfiber cloths or bar rags for cleaning?

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Hi Natalie- I opt for microfiber cloths because I like their grabbiness. If you're using bar rags and they are working for you, then stick with them. Both are endlessly washable and reusable which is key.

[@jeannotgamache2598]

I also have a question please: I have a front loader clothes washer. Do I apply the vinegar in the fabric softener or the bleach compartment? Thank you Lisa! 💐

[@pamelaflynn1129]

I put the vinegar in the fabric softener compartment.

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Hi Jeonnot- Pamela is spot on! Put the vinegar in the fabric softener compartment and it will automatically be released in the rinse cycle.

[@jeannotgamache2598]

@@pamelaflynn1129 thank you!

[@mariachang2505]

May I ask how much vinegar I should put in the compartment?

[@kimmckelvy6757]

How much vinegar should I use in my rinse and will it help with dog towels and blankets?

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Hi there! Use 1/2 cup vinegar in an HE machine or 1 cup in a standard washer. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer. For an extra boost on both on the towels and blankets, throw in 1/4 cup of baking soda (1/2 cup in a standard machine).

[@remhenshaw4313]

I've been using white vinegar for years for cleaning!!! I use it at pretty much all my clients homes too (I'm a professional cleaner). Is vinegar safe for microfiber?? I read a lot that it's not good to use so i don't. I want my microfiber towels to last. It's my go to for glass and mirrors too def. Also finally bought some sal suds at a whole foods and i love it!! I wish i would have bought it years ago when i first heard about it. Can't wait to get your book in October.

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Thanks, Rem! Microfiber is a polymer (i.e. plastic), which vinegar won't degrade. I've used both vinegar and my microfiber cloths successfully together for years. As I mention in the video, vinegar has lots of great uses, which it sounds like you know, but also has its limitations (with stone, metals, and not disinfecting).

[@remhenshaw4313]

@@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner thanks !!

[@jackiebucholtz2809]

Hi there! I’m a professional cleaner too! Will try on my rags as well 😊

[@saraorsino1960]

Hi Lisa, great tips. What ratio should the apple cider vinegar hair rinse be? Thanks

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Hi there- I use about 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (ACV) diluted with another 1/2 cup of water for my long, thick hair. I pour it over my head and work it through and rinse thoroughly. Use less if your hair is shorter. My son and husband, who both have very short hair, skip the ACV rinse altogether.

[@alysafleisher]

@@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner I premix it half and half in a pump bottle. I pump it straight onto my hair to make it easy. My hair is thin and fine so it doesn't need much to work it through.

[@heidimeigs5192]

1/2 cup water & 1/2 cup water ( I just keep a plastic disposable one in my shower). Pour it through hair, leave on about 3-5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. I have hair halfway down my back, medium amount-not thin, not thick…..you might need less if your hair is short and/or thin.

[@carlamonson3642]

I’ve been using a cup of vinegar every month in my air conditioner (air handler )to keep it clean , have you heard this before? My a/c guy told me to use it instead of bleach.

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Hi Carla- I am not well-versed in the upkeep of AC units, but I can comment on vinegar. While vinegar is able to kill certain types of microbes, it does not kill as broadly as bleach. If the system relies on some sort of antimicrobial solution to be safe and effective, vinegar would not be sufficient.

[@julieseidel7044]

What if you don't have a rinse compartment in your washer what do you do with the vinegar to get it in the rinse. And what do you do for replacing a dryer sheet

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Hi Julie- If your machine does not have a fabric softener compartment, you have a few options for dispensing the vinegar at the right time: use something like a Downey Dryer Ball which dispenses during the rinse cycle, manually add the vinegar at the beginning of the rinse cycle (this would be tough to catch), run an extra rinse cycle upon completion of the wash run and add the vinegar at that time. The vinegar basically functions as a fabric softener so you don't need a dryer sheet. The fragrance residue left on fabrics by dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners can be problematic, which is why I avoid them. This article on my website is a deep dive into the topic, www.lisabronner.com/why-how-to-ditch-fabric-softener-dryer-sheets/

[@julieseidel7044]

Hey thanks Lisa yeah I have a coin-operated washer in my apartment building so yeah I have actually a Downy dryer ball. Which I've been using for a long time I just never thought of it. Because I was with another company that was you know organic and stuff like that but I like Dr Bronner's stuff better which I use the hair rinse last week and I love it except for the fact that my hair is down to my ways and it got dirty on the scalp greasy kind of. I guess that it is it reacting to all the chemicals that I was using in other shampoos. What can I use for shampoo? And I use the rinse in place of conditioner?

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Hi Julie- I wash my thick, long (to my middle back) hair regularly with the Castile Soap or the Organic Sugar Soap (whichever strikes my fancy that day). I use a good ½ Tbsp. of Castile Soap or a pump of Sugar Soap. When using soap, the key is to follow up with an acidic rinse. The soap has an alkaline pH which makes our hair kind of tacky/sticky feeling. The acidic rinse smooths everything down. There are two options for an acidic rinse. It sounds like you tried the Organic Citrus Hair Rinse (use 1 capful in 1 cup of water). I most often use about 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (ACV) diluted with another 1/2 cup of water, then pour it over my head and work it through and rinse thoroughly. Use slightly more if your long hair is thicker. Keep in mind that it takes a couple weeks of transition, especially if you’re coming from a conventional shampoo/conditioner regimen. During that transition period, you may need to use another crème conditioner after the rinse. I have an article on my website on just this topic at www.lisabronner.com/from-shampoo-to-soap-my-story/

[@AmandaAmanda-sh8lx]

Can I use vinegar in the dishwasher??

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Hi Amanda- Yes, vinegar can be used as a rinse aid and even in an empty wash as a dishwasher refresher!

[@antoniagomargutierrez5472]

Hola Lisa soy una enamorada del jabon de usted pero no puedo conseguir Sal Sud aqui en España y traerlo de Usa me sale carisimo y ya soy mayor seria posible poder tener esa joya de limpieza aqui Un saludo y gracias por su contribucion al mundo ❤

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Hola Antonia. ¡Gracias por seguirnos desde España! Me alegra mucho que hayas encontrado útiles nuestros jabones. Lamentablemente, ya no vendemos Sal Suds en Europa y, por el momento, no tenemos un idea sobre cuándo lo volveremos a traer. Sé que esto es un inconveniente y lo siento. Mientras tanto, nuestro Jabón Líquido de Castilla se puede utilizar para la limpieza del hogar. Consulte mi hoja de referencia sobre diluciones para ver diluciones y recetas, ¡incluida una versión en español!:www.lisabronner.com/dilutions-cheat-sheet-for-dr-bronners-castile-soap/

[@antoniagomargutierrez5472]

@@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner muy agradecida por la contribucion de su familia y de usted Lisa por dejar los lugares de este mundo en mejor estado que los encontro bendicion

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Gracias, Antonia!

[@marietc4960]

Hi! I have a question, do you dilute the vinegar with water when you put it in the fabric softener compartment?

[@alysafleisher]

no, no need to do this. It's best at regular strength.

[@GoingGreenwithLisaBronner]

Alysa is spot on. Use at regular strength. The vinegar is mixed with water when it's dispensed into the rinse cycle.

[@guitarman2669]

Ok

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

Cleaning vinegar is 6%, 20% more concentrated than distilled white; it’s not 30% acetic acid.

[@FrankGutowski-ls8jt]

The experimental bottle of oil and vinegar salad dressing in my pantry refuses to emulsify, despite vigorous frequent shaking. It’s been like that for over 30 yrs. Look at the chemical structure of acetic acid compared with fatty acids. You’ll immediately see why it’s impossible chemically for it to be a surfactant.

[@petarvanj4343]

Please be more inclusive and promote gender identity and gender reassignment surgery 👍🏼

[@juliakvitovskiy4344]

What the heck does that have to do with vinegar and household tasks?? Ridiculous.