A new discovery of something old

I recently had a friend recommend a new to me, but actually centuries old, method of cleaning and I have fallen in love. Whats the secret? Vinegar and baking soda. You know, the stuff that makes a really cool chemical reaction when you add it together (think elementary school science project volcano). It is by far the most effective method I have found at getting rid of soap scum. My tub/shower has never looked more sparkly! I have a spray bottle full of vinegar (plain old white) that I spray down my tub with, and then I sprinkle baking soda over top of it (right now I use a spoonful at a time, gently shaking it, but I'm looking into investing in one of those industrial-sized salt or powdered sugar shakers). Watch it foam and bubble (a science lesson for kids!), and then use the resulting paste to scrub the tub. The goal is to get it as evenly distributed around the tub during the spraying/shaking process, because the reaction dissolves the scum so it just wipes away. Hooray!! I use it in my sink, counters, and I'll start using vinegar to mop floors with once my pine sol is gone. Who knew that what our grandmothers and great-grandmothers used would work better than all those modern chemicals? And its safe for your kids to be around. I don't have to worry about Sam getting into the cleaning stuff because its just vinegar and baking soda. Best part of all? ITS CHEAP! That is important for unemployed college students like us.

My next adventure? Making my own dishwasher and laundry detergent (once I'm out of the stuff I've got). Think I'm crazy? You're probably right. But I'm okay with that.