Like every small child before me I loved going to see my grandma, except for cleaning days. At my house when my mom cleaned it just smelled like cleaners, but grandma’s, it could smell like most anything, though the smell I remember the most is vinegar. When I really think about it, vinegar doesn’t smell that bad, I think it stood out simply because it wasn’t the smell of cleaners that had already become my norm.

Naturally as I became older and had to clean my own house I bought what my Mom used, typical everyday chemical based cleaners. As time went by green living became more and more important. I took great care to do my part, I recycled and reused. I was careful to make sure that any clothing, furniture or other household items went to someone who could use them rather than the trash. I made sure that my lunch was packed in containers rather than Ziploc bags. The one area that I failed in was my chemical and possibly toxic cleaners.

I had considered purchasing green cleaners; though to be honest I just wasn’t sure if they cleaned well enough to warrant their price. The day finally arrived that changed my mind forever. I was doing some heavy spring cleaning and was completely done except for my floors, it was then that I discovered that I lacked floor cleaning solution.

 I didn’t want to go to the store, mainly due to my cleaning garb look. Honestly I would’ve received more than my fair share of attention. I realized I absolutely had to problem solve this situation. It was then that Grandma’s cleaning day memory returned. She always cleaned her floors with vinegar and I knew that I had vinegar.

I tried out grandma’s floor cleaner. Sure enough my floors came clean; in fact I would even say they were squeaky clean. To be honest, it really didn’t smell that bad, just a slight vinegar aroma that dissipated rather quickly.

Grandma would certainly be surprised if she knew.