I used to buy a different spray bottle for every surface in my house. Glass cleaner. Counter spray. Bathroom cleaner. Floor stuff. I had six bottles under the sink and most of them were half-empty and two years old. It felt stupid every time I bought another one.

My grandmother cleaned her entire house with vinegar and a rag for forty years. She was onto something — but even she added one thing that made it actually work on grease.

The Two Ingredients

White vinegar and dish soap. That is it. Vinegar dissolves mineral deposits, cuts through soap scum, kills some bacteria and mold, and deodorizes. Dish soap breaks down grease and lifts dirt off surfaces. Together they handle about ninety percent of what you need to clean in a house.

The Recipe

1. Fill a spray bottle with one cup of warm water.
2. Add half a cup of white vinegar.
3. Add three drops of liquid dish soap. Not more. Too much soap leaves a film.
4. Screw the cap on, shake gently — you do not want foam — and use.

Shake before each use. The soap and vinegar separate a little over time.

Where to Use It (and Where Not To)

Safe on: Countertops (laminate, sealed stone, tile), stovetops, sinks, bathroom tile, mirrors, windows, sealed wood floors, trash cans, high chair trays, refrigerator shelves.

Skip it on: Natural stone that is not sealed (vinegar etches marble and granite), unsealed wood, cast iron, and anything with a wax finish. For electronics screens, use plain water or a screen-specific spray.

Does It Disinfect?

Vinegar is not an EPA-registered disinfectant. It kills some germs — salmonella and E. coli — but it will not kill everything. If someone in the house has been sick, use a proper disinfectant. For everyday cleaning? Vinegar and soap do the job.

I have not bought a commercial all-purpose spray in two years. My under-sink cabinet has exactly two bottles now: this one and a glass cleaner. It feels less stupid.