Overview

• New how-to pieces move beyond the classic vinegar–bicarbonate duo by favoring lemon juice and citric acid powder for limescale and grease, with instructions such as dissolving 2–3 tablespoons in hot water and leaving it overnight in toilets and on fixtures.
• Vinegar remains a staple for everyday tasks, with guides advising diluted sprays to soften bird droppings on car windows, step‑by‑step routines for deodorizing shoe insoles, and tips for restoring shine to metal utensils.
• Citrus‑infused vinegar made by macerating mandarin or orange peels in white vinegar for at least 10 days is promoted as a low‑cost, multipurpose cleaner that adds fragrance and helps repel insects.
• Safety advice is emphasized, including not mixing vinegar with bleach due to toxic gases, limiting acid exposure on delicate surfaces, and noting the neutralizing fizz when vinegar meets bicarbonate.
• Alternative mixes gain traction—such as bicarbonate pastes with castor or olive oil and vinegar with sugar as a mild abrasive—marketed as economical and eco‑friendly, with reporting that cites EPA guidance on the effectiveness of citric acid.