All-surface degreasing cleaner

Alice (Lilou) M-D

https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Nettoyant_d%C3%A9graissant_toute_surface/en

Dernière modification le 10/07/2024

Difficulté

Very easy Très facile

Durée

1 minute(s) minute(s)

Coût

1 EUR (€)

Description

2 quick, 100% biodegradable, no-rinse, all-surface degreasing cleaner recipes: one with white vinegar and the other with vinegar

Sommaire

zerowaste, zéro déchet, DIY, nettoyant, dégraissant, biodégradable

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Introduction

Both products can be used to clean any greasy surface, although it's best to choose one over the other depending on the surface.

• Vinegar cleaner: for windows, glasses, mirrors, taps, baby/children's toys and leather.
• Bicarbonate cleaner: for hard surfaces, fragile wood, oxidisable metals, etc.
• One or the other: for plastic, enamel and stainless steel surfaces.

These recipes contain just two 100% biodegradable and natural ingredients, making them economical, quick and easy to use and replace a large number of harmful industrial cleaning products. To compare and understand the dangers of most industrial products, take a look at the UFC Que Choisir guides.

Matériaux

• White vinegar
• Sodium bicarbonate
• Water

Outils

empty sprinkler bottles or conventional bottles

Étape 1 - Details of ingredients

• White vinegar: White vinegar, otherwise known as spirit vinegar, crystal. It is a 100% natural and biodegradable product with a pH between 3.5 and 5 (acid) with approximately 12% alcohol, obtained by macerating an aqueous solution of at least 6% acetic acid (often from beet ethanol). It evaporates naturally without posing any risk (apart from a slight and temporary irritation of the throat and eyes if you are in a small space). Cost : ~ 0.40€/L, prefer to buy in the food vinegar section (avoid the household section as it is often more expensive and flavoured). Properties: More info and G culture here
  • Degreaser,
  • Deodorising,
  • Conservative (thanks to the acidic pH),
  • Antiseptic, disinfectant, antiparasitic, antibacterial, antifungal (thanks to the acid pH)
  • Descaler / anti-scale (the acid reacts with the scale to make it disappear in an acid-base reaction causing heat and CO2 bubbles),
  • Corrosive for limestone surfaces (and damages wood in high doses).
    

• Sodium bicarbonate: also known as sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, monosodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, soda, baking soda or natrum bicarbonatum. A fine white powder similar to table salt or talc with a pH of 8-8.5 (base). Made from limestone and salt, bicarbonate is naturally present in the body and is harmless to health. Does not give off any fumes, does not evaporate. Properties: cleans, scours and deodorises. It dissolves grease and proteins responsible for stains. It prevents the proliferation of bacteria and softens hard water. More info and G culture here Cost : ~3-4 euros/kg

Here we'll be using household bicarbonate (cheaper than baking soda, but if you only have baking soda for food or cosmetics on hand it works very well).

Be careful to use the correct type of bicarbonate for each use: for cosmetic use, use only food/cosmetic bicarbonate and for food use, use ONLY food grade bicarbonate

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Étape 2 - Vinegar multi-purpose cleaner

Mix 1/3 volume of white vinegar with 2/3 volume of water.

These proportions are also useful for descaling kettles, coffee machines, shower heads, etc.

Optional: to add fragrance, you can replace some of the water with hydrosols OR add 4-8 drops of essential oils per 1 litre.

Étape 3 - Bicarbonate multi-purpose cleaner

Mix bicarbonate and cold water until the water is saturated, then add a little more water. It's important to add more water, otherwise the saturated liquid will recrystallise in the nozzle and end up clogging it.

Optional: to add fragrance, you can replace some of the water with hydrosols OR add 4-8 drops of essential oils per 1 litre.

Notes et références

In my experience, I have a slight preference for the vinegar-based cleaner because it seems to dissolve grease more quickly. It's incredibly effective and has absolutely nothing to envy from industrial products, while being virtually free.

Contrary to what is commonly found on the internet and even in some recipe books, there is no point in mixing vinegar and bicarbonate in the same product unless you want to use it as a descaler at the time of the reaction. Once the gas-producing reaction is over, the cleaning power of the liquid is equivalent to that of water!

If you ever want to mix bicarbonate and vinegar, or any other acid and base (for example soda, percarbonate with citric acid, lemon and other acids) in another recipe, make sure you do it in a well-ventilated room and don't close the bottle/can, otherwise it will explode in your face. The explosion can be very strong, even in a large-volume container

To replace industrial disinfectants such as bleach, you can use pure white vinegar (for surfaces that can withstand it)

Important: NEVER mix vinegar and bleach, as this produces a toxic gas (chlorine) that can cause severe irritation to the respiratory tract, and in the most serious cases, even make you faint. https://www.centreantipoisons.be/produits-m-nagers/eau-de-javel

Thanks to the student team of the CDD - Comission Développement Durable ISTOM for the illustrations
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