Vinegar
Continuing with my explorations into less environmentally damaging ways of doing things, I have been experimenting with the various claims about vinegar as a cleaner and all around useful tool.
I can report that I have been successful with it as a fabric softener. I've been doing this for several months, so I know it isn't residual fabric softener in the clothes. As a good northwest girl, I have a bunch of fleece, and it does a good job of killing the static cling and making the fabric feel nice. The fabric does not smell of vinegar once it dries. I use the downy sofetner balls you can find in the store sometimes, and pour about a quarter cup of vinegar into one and toss it into the wash. I like the fact that it is cheap (about $3 for a large bottle), does the job and doesn't leave a strong scent behind.
As an air freshener, it also works pretty well. I mix some vinegar and water into a spray bottle and squirt it around. I like the smell of vinegar better than most air fresheners, and it does seem to kill the smell of the litter box. The vinegar smell only lasts a few minutes, and I know that inhaling it is probably not a health concern.
For the litter box itself, when I change the litter, I also soak the box in a mix of vinegar and water. It works as well as anything else I've tried.
Oddly enough, diluted vinegar also seems to stop pimples pretty quickly. I forget where I read it, but I thought I might as well give it a shot. It seems to get rid of them more quickly than over-the-counter acne stuff, so I'm pretty pleased. Keep it away from the eyes though, vinegar fumes sting a bit.
I can report that I have been successful with it as a fabric softener. I've been doing this for several months, so I know it isn't residual fabric softener in the clothes. As a good northwest girl, I have a bunch of fleece, and it does a good job of killing the static cling and making the fabric feel nice. The fabric does not smell of vinegar once it dries. I use the downy sofetner balls you can find in the store sometimes, and pour about a quarter cup of vinegar into one and toss it into the wash. I like the fact that it is cheap (about $3 for a large bottle), does the job and doesn't leave a strong scent behind.
As an air freshener, it also works pretty well. I mix some vinegar and water into a spray bottle and squirt it around. I like the smell of vinegar better than most air fresheners, and it does seem to kill the smell of the litter box. The vinegar smell only lasts a few minutes, and I know that inhaling it is probably not a health concern.
For the litter box itself, when I change the litter, I also soak the box in a mix of vinegar and water. It works as well as anything else I've tried.
Oddly enough, diluted vinegar also seems to stop pimples pretty quickly. I forget where I read it, but I thought I might as well give it a shot. It seems to get rid of them more quickly than over-the-counter acne stuff, so I'm pretty pleased. Keep it away from the eyes though, vinegar fumes sting a bit.