- brassware
To clean brassware without scrubbing, soak in 1 part of white vinegar to 10 parts of water. To clean brass lamps, unscrew the sections and soak in bucket. All the green and black tarnish comes off in no time.
- leather shoe conditioner
1 tablespoon (15ml) vinegar
1 tablespoon (15ml) linseed oil
For regular cleaning and conditioning, an equal mix of vinegar and linseed oil can help keep leather shoes soft and supple. Mix the two together in a small glass container. Apply to shoes with a soft cloth and buff lightly. Rags soaked in linseed oil are considered a fine hazard, so immediately soak them in water after use and never put them in the dryer.
- removing the smell of bleach
If you use bleach to remove stains or to whiten cotton, remove the bleach smell by adding 1 cup (225ml) of vinegar to the final rinse.
- shrunken wool sweater restorer
1 quart (1 liter) vinegar
2 quarts (2 liters) water
Everyone has had the unfortunate experience of accidentally tossing a wool sweater in the washing machine, only to see it shrink to Barbie-size proportions. Essentially, when wool becomes warm and wet, the fibers shrink and lock together. If the garment has been accidentally machine-dried as well, you probably have a lost cause on your hands. But if it's still wet and you want to try reshaping the sweater, vinegar may help: Combine the vinegar and water in a large pot and bring to a gentle boil. Add the sweater and soak in the simmering mixture for 10 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool in the pot. Lay the sweater on towels to absorb the excess water, but do not rinse. Lay flat on fresh towels and gently stretch it to its original dimensions. Allow to air dry (any lingering vinegar scent will evaporate as the sweater dries).
- for cleaning fish tanks
Use white vinegar to clean the mineral deposits that accumulate at the top of your fish tank. Soak some paper towels in the vinegar and simply wipe around the inside of the tank where the water has evaporated and left the white mineral deposits. You can also use vinegar to clean aquarium ornaments. It is harmless to fish so you don't need to worry if some of the vinegar happens to get into the water.
- keeping flies from a swimming pool
Pour vinegar around the sides of your pool and it helps keeps flies away.
- cleaning kettles
If you get lime deposits in your kettle, gently boil 2/3 cups (150ml) of white vinegar with the water, then rinse well.
- hand care after plaster or clay work
This tip came from a professional artist. You can re-balance the pH of the alkali in the material if you wash your hands with soap, then rinse well with a one-to-one solution of white vinegar and water each time.
- label remover
Soak the label or sticker with vinegar, let stand until it is saturated, then peel off.
- Copper Pot Cleaner
1/4 Cup Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Salt
Soak a clean cloth in the vinegar and sprinkle with salt. Rub over tarnished pots. Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a soft cloth.
- wallpaper paste solvent
Vinegar makes a great solvent for wallpaper paste. Just dilute 1 cup (225ml) of white vinegar with 2 quarts (2-3 liters) of very warm water, and apply generously with a sponge. Once you get an edge or corner of the wallpaper to lift, then start working the vinegar solution behind the paper to break down the adhesive. This process is most effective when you keep your work area very damp-let the warmth of the water and the chemical properties of the vinegar do the work for you. Rinse your sponge often mix a new batch of vinegar-and-water solution when it becomes cool and/or murky. The bonus is that vinegar is inexpensive and it will not stain or discolor carpeting or other flooring.
- wood stain
White vinegar can be mixed with water-base inks to make a wonderful stain for wood. The resulting finish is the color of the ink with a silvery sheen. Simply pour vinegar into a mixing jar, add the ink until the desired color is achieved, and apply to the wood with a brush or rag. Wipe off any excess and let it dry. Since the bulk of the mixture is vinegar, wood warpage is minimal.
- chrome polish
Apply full-strength vinegar to a cloth to polish the chrome on your car.
- removing a perfume you don't like
It is generally recommended in the trade that vinegar removes the smell of a perfume you don't like. Just apply it to the skin that has been sprayed with the undesired perfume.
- prevent plaster from drying out too quickly
Prevent plaster from drying too quickly when patching or filling in by adding one tablespoon of vinegar to the water when mixing. This will slow the drying time.
- cotton and down pillow cleaner
1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar
If you're troubled by allergies, don't overlook the importance of pillow cleaning. At least every 6 months you should wash pillows according to manufacturer's instructions to get rid of the sloughed skin, mold and mildew, fungus, and dust mite matter that can accumulate. When machine washing, add 1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar to the final rinse in lieu of fabric softener. It's the best way to make sure all the soap is removed. If you're washing a down pillow, add a tennis ball to the wash to keep the down from bunching up during the spin cycle and spin dry twice if possible, to ensure that most water has been removed.
- Delicates
1 to 2 tablespoons vinegar
If you are washing delicate items by hand, follow the garment's care instructions, but add 1 to 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the last rinse to help remove soap residue.
- microwave cleaner
To clean a microwave oven, all you need to do is put a couple of tablespoons of vinegar in a bowl with a cup of water. Microwave on High for 45 seconds to 1 minute (the time depends on your particular model). Carefully take the bowl out and wipe out the oven. Any baked-on splatters will be softened and easily removed.
- removing coffee and tea stains
An equal mixture of salt and white vinegar will clean coffee and tea stains from china cups.
- cleaning wooden paneling
Clean wood paneling with a mixture of one part olive oil to two parts of distilled vinegar in 4 cups (1 liter) of warm water. Moisten a soft cloth with the solution and wipe the paneling. The yellowing is then removed by wiping with a soft, dry cloth.
- showerhead lime-deposit remover
1 cup (250ml) vinegar
Over time, mineral deposits can block the small nozzles of your showerhead and affect water pressure, but a 12-hour soak in vinegar can do wonders to get rid of them. Soak a clean washcloth in 1 cup (250ml) vinegar and wrap it around the showerhead. Alternately, you can give the fixture a direct soaking by filling a 1-gallon plastic bag with vinegar and affixing it to the fixture with some duct tape (to hold it in place). Let sit overnight and then remove. Your morning shower should be noticeably improved.
- Coffee pot cleaner
2 cups (500ml) vinegar
1 quart (1 liter) water
To make sure your drip-filter coffee pot produces a perfect brew every time, it's important to give it a deep cleaning about once a month to get rid of the mineral deposits and natural coffee oils that can build up. Pour the vinegar and water reservoir and turn the coffee maker on (adjust this amount depending on the size of your machine; just keep the ratio 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water). When the cycle is complete, turn off the coffee maker and let cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Pour the vinegar mixture down the drain, fill the water reservoir with fresh water only, and run the coffee maker again.
- perspiration stain remover
3 gallons (11 liters) water
1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar
1 tablespoon (14g) baking soda
For serious perspiration stains, try soaking the item overnight in a tub filled with the water and vinegar (don't soak silk, acetate, linen, or colored cotton in vinegar, as these fabrics may be damaged). In the morning, launder in the washing machine as usual. For spot treatments, mix 1 teaspoon (15ml) vinegar with 1 tablespoon (14g) baking soda and rub into the stain just before washing. (Whatever you do, make sure the stain is properly removed before you put the clothing in the dryer. Heat will do a great job of setting the stain and actually making it appear darker and more pronounced.
- increasing rabbit breeding
If your doe is unreceptive for breeding, try adding one tablespoon of white vinegar to her fresh water. After 24 hours the doe will be very receptive, and the buck will be happy too!
- hairbrush deep cleaner
3 tablespoon (42g) baking soda
3 tablespoons (45ml) vinegar
warm water
Hairbrushes and combs need a deep clean every now and then to remove the buildup of styling products and oil that can accumulate; otherwise, a dirty brush can make for dirtier hair as you inadvertently put small amounts of those materials back into your hair every time you use it! To get your beauty tools spic-and-span the all-natural way, start by placing them in the sink and sprinkling them with the baking soda. Pour the vinegar over them and let them bubble and fizz for a few minutes. Fill the sink with warm water and let the brushes soak for a few hours. Rinse thoroughly, taking care to remove any trapped hair, and allow to air-dry.
- Dishwasher de-odorozer
You can pour a cup of distilled white vinegar inside an empty dishwasher and run it through a whole cycle every month to remove soap build-up and odors.
- cleaning porcelain, enamel baths and sinks
Use a half-and-half solution of vinegar and water.
- grass/weed killer
Kill weeds or unwanted grass with direct application of vinegar onto the trouble spot.
- for reducing swelling
For reducing the swelling on a horse's leg (or any other animal for that matter), wrap the leg in a rag soaked in cider vinegar. Wrap in plastic and then bandage to hold it in place. Leave on for four hours or more.
- jellyfish sting soother
1 cup (250ml) vinegar
For a day at the beach, make sure to pack a bottle of vinegar in your beach bag-because nothing can ruin a perfect day like a jellyfish sting. The long tentacles of the jellyfish release a painful toxin, so you are sure to feel the pain as soon as you've been stung. Whatever you do, don't pour freshwater on the sting, as the change in pH levels can actually cause the jellyfish to pump out even more. Instead, douse the affected area with about 1 cup (250ml) vinegar to neutralize the poison, and then carefully remove the tentacles. Seek immediate medical treatment if you development any signs of muscle pain, shortness of breath, backache, or hives, as these can be sign of a sting from a more dangerous sea creature-the Portuguese man-of-war.
- removing grime from furniture
Dirt and grime can be easily removed from woodwork with a solution of 1 cup (225ml) of ammonia, 2/3 cup (150ml) of distilled vinegar, and 2 1/2 tablespoons (30g) of baking soda dissolved in warm water. This solution will not dull the finish or leave streaks. Be careful of the smell when you mix these together.
- steam iron cleaner
Mineral deposits may be removed from an old steam iron by filling it with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water and letting it steam until dry. Rinse the tank with clean water, refill it, and shake water through the steam holes over an old piece of material. Test on an old cloth before ironing. It is not advisable to try this on a new iron because the acidity of the vinegar may damage the iron.
- reviving an old stove or fireplace
All grease spots must be washed off and any rust removed, and the stove must be cold. Mix black lead with vinegar to a creamy consistency and apply to the metal areas of the stove or fireplace. Polish with a stiff brush when nearly dry.
- removing paint fumes
Absorb the odor of fresh paint by putting a small dish of vinegar in the room.
- carpet spot and stain remover
As a carpet spot and stain remover, take a trigger spray bottle and fill with one part white vinegar to seven parts water. Saturate the stain with the vinegar solution and let it soak in for a few minutes. Next blot thoroughly with an old towel to remove excess moisture. Repeat until the stain has gone.
- removing rust from bolts, screws, nails, and hinges
To remove rust from bolts and other metals, soak them in full-strength vinegar. Put the metal objects in a container and cover with vinegar. Seal the container and shake. Let it stand overnight. Dry the objects to prevent corrosion.
- soaking badly stained pots and pans
Soak non-aluminum, food-stained pots and pans in full-strength white vinegar for 30 minutes. Rinse in hot, soapy water.
- Drain clearer
1/2 cup (110g) baking soda
1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar
2 quarts (2 liters) water
A slow moving drain can be a harbinger of bigger problems unless it's dealt with swiftly. But before you pour harsh chemicals down the drain, give this easy, natural formula a try: Start by pouring the baking soda in to the problem drain, followed by the vinegar and let sit for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, bring the water to a boil. After 15 minutes, pour the boiling water down the drain. Repeat monthly to keep your drain clean and smelling fresh.
- discouraging ants
If you have problems with ants and other insects invading your home, they are probably crossing your doorways and windowsills. If you pour vinegar across the opening sill, it stops them from crossing.
- grease cutter
Vinegar is an excellent grease cutter. Boil out fat fryers every week with vinegar and water. This is very cost effective and safe, with no harsh chemicals or risk of fire. It works well on extractor hoods, too.
- Cleaning tarnished copper
If you have heavily tarnished copper or copper alloy object to be cleaned up, use a paste made of salt and vinegar.
- Jar deoderizer
2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45ml) vinegar
Reusing glass jars with screw-on caps is economical and earth-friendly. They can come in handy for homemade gifts, craft projects, and storing other foods. What you don't want to reuse, however, is the lingering scent of the original contents. TO get rid of unwanted smells, pour 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45ml) vinegar in to the bottom of the empty jar. Place the lid on top and swish the vinegar around. Let it sit for an hour, then wash as usual. If the scent is especially strong, let the vinegar sit overnight.
- ridding the air of stale smoke or perfume
Keep a vinegar-and-water solution handy in a spray bottle for use after smokers have left. Even if they're not smoking, the smell can still be a problem. This is also good for clearing the air of residual scent after visitors wearing unpleasant aftershave or perfume have left.
- Azaleas
Pour vinegar over your Azaleas to give a sheen over the leaves.
- terry diapers 3
Using vinegar in the wash cycle cuts the cost. Use half the recommended detergent during the wash and skip the fabric softener. Instead, put the diapers through an additional rinse at the end.
- toilet cleaner
Remove stubborn stains from the toilet by spraying them with vinegar and brushing vigorously. Deodorize the bowl by adding 2 1/2 cups (570ml) of distilled vinegar. Allow it to remain for half an hour before flushing.
- removing ring stains
Stubborn rings left where wet glasses have been placed on wood furniture can be removed by rubbing them with a mixture of equal parts of distilled vinegar and olive oil. Rub with the grain and polish for the best results.
- prolonging the life of plants
Pour a mixture of vinegar and water over household plants and bouquets to prolong their lifespan.
- Refrigerator cleaner
A solution of half distilled vinegar and water is great for cleaning walls and shelves in the refrigerator.
- floor cleaner with fragrant herbs
2 tablespoons liquid soap or detergent
4-8 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
6 tablespoons fragrant herb tea (peppermint adds antibacterial qualities)
Combine ingredients in a bucket of water. Swirl the water around until it lathers a little. Proceed as normal. Discard the remainder after use.
- crystal chandelier cleaner
1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar
1/2 cup (125ml) water
Cleaning a chandelier can seem daunting, but it's a task that should be undertaken every few hours. It's a chore that's well worth the time adn effort once you see the brilliant shine restored. Before you begin, turn the lights off and give the bulbs time to cool (do not turn it back on during cleaning). Meanwhile, combine equal parts vinegar and water in a small spray bottle. Use a cloth to remove most of the surface dirt, then spray a clean, lint-free cloth with the vinegar mixture and polish each piece of crystal (spraying the chandelier directly can damage the metal fixtures).
- Dulled Colors
Dulled colors may be recovered and brightened up by soaking in mixture of 1 gallon of warm water and 1 cup of Vinegar. Rinse with clear water to remove all traces of the vinegar.
- removing grease from suede
Dip a toothbrush in vinegar and gently brush over the grease spot.
- nail brightener
1 small bowl lemon juice
1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar
1/4 cup (60ml) water
Tired of yellowing fingernails? Put the natural bleaching power of lemon juice to good use with this manicurists' trick! Soak your fingertips in a small bowl of lemon juice for 10 minutes (don't try this if you have any cuts or ragged cuticles). Next, pour out the lemon juice, rinse the bowl, and fill it with equal parts vinegar and water. Dip a soft nail brush in the vinegar solution and lightly buff your nails for a minute or two. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and follow up with your favorite hand moisturizer.
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Sprinkle toilet bowl with baking soda, drizzle with vinegar, let soak for at least 30 minutes and scrub with toilet brush.
Tip: Let ingredients soak for a while to make for easy scrubbing, especially on persistent stains like toilet bowl rings.
- foot odor remedy
2 cups (500ml) vinegar
If foot odor has you down, try spritzing your feet with a dose of full-strength vinegar every night for a few weeks. The vinegar will help kill odor-causing bacteria. As an added bonus, the vinegar may also help after the pH levels on your skin, making it a less inviting place for fungus to thrive.
- dissolve chewing gum
Saturate the area with vinegar. If the vinegar is heated, it will work faster.
- dyeing
When dyeing fabric, include 1 cup (225ml) white vinegar in a hot dye bath to set the color.
- hard water deposits
Use vinegar to get rid of the hard water deposits around your sink. Soak paper towels with vinegar and place them around the area that needs to be cleaned. For cleaning the tap you can soak the towel and wrap it around and then hold it in place with a rubber band. Do this overnight and the next morning it's easy to wipe clean. This is safe for brass taps as well.
- removing water stains from leather
Remove water stains from leather by rubbing with a cltoh dipped in a vinegar-and-water solution.
- Cleaning Microwaves
Use a solution of vinegar and baking soda and water to clean up food splatters on the bottom, sides, and ceiling. Remove the turntable plate and wipe over the interior, being careful not to let any water drip through the holes in the walls. The turntable can be cleaned with the same solution.
- cleaning a whirlpool tub
Pour 1 gallon (3.75 liters) of white vinegar into the water of a whirlpool tubm once a year and run it. This will keep the jets from clogging up from soap scum, etc.
- shiny patent leather
Patent leather will shine better if you wipe it with a soft cloth that has been moistened with distilled vinegar.
- removing lime deposits from windshield jets
Use full-strength vinegar on a rag to wipe away the lime deposits left on your car's paint, windows, and windshield jets.
- turn a chicken bone into rubber
1 cup (250ml) vinegar
The next time you roast a chicken, set aside a thigh bone. Let the kids soak it in 1 cup (250ml) vinegar for 3 or 4 days. When they take the bone out, they'll be amazed to see how easily it can be bent-the vinegar leaches some of the calcium, leaving the bone noticeably softer and more pliable.
- removing paint from glass
Hot vinegar can be used to remove paint from glass. This works well around windows where you've accidentally got paint on the glass. Just heat up vinegar and use a cloth to wipe away the paint.
- terry diapers 2
Adding 1 cup (225ml) vinegar during the rinse cycle equalizes the pH balance and has been reported to prevent diaper rash.
- preventing colors from running
Use white vinegar if washing something that will bleed. Pour some white vinegar in the washing machine, fill with cold water, and then add soap and clothes.
- removing cola stains
Remove spots caused by cola-based soft drinks from 100 percent cotton, and cotton-polyester fabrics. Sponge distilled vinegar directly onto the stain and rub away the spots, then clean according to the directions on the manufacturer's label. This must be done within 24 hours of the spill.
- cleaning windows
Clean windows with a solution of 2 tablespoons of vinegar to 4 cups (1 liter) of warm water. Wash from top to bottom on the inside of windows and from side to side on the outside. This way you will be able to tell on which side any smears are. Using dry newspaper instead of a cloth to polish with is an old trick as well. Keep a solution of 50/50 white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to use for removing spots from windows.
- paintbrush softener
2 to 3 cups (500 to 750ml) vinegar
No matter how well you wash out a paintbrush, odds are it will have stiffened by the next time you want to use it. Of course, vinegar offers an excellent means of softening and restoring paintbrushes. Place the brushes in a small, heavy-bottomed pot (one that you can dedicate to household situations and not use for cooking) and pour enough vinegar (2 to 3 cups, or 500 to 750ml) over the brushes to soak the bristles. Let sit for 1 to 2 hours. Then place the pot over medium heat and simmer for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water, and you're ready to paint!
- removing the smell of vomit/sour milk
To rid the smell after an unfortunate bout of sickness, clean the area thoroughly, then place a bowl of vinegar on the floor and leave overnight. This works very well in a car as well, especially in warm weather. Leave the bowl on the floor of the car overnight, with the doors and windows shut.
- herbal hair rescue
1 cup (250ml) vinegar
1/2 cup (200g) fresh lavender
2 cups (500ml) water
Do you want soft, lustrous hair but cringe at the thought of dousing your head with vinegar? Then make your own herbal version instead. Combine the vinegar with the lavender flowers (or rose petals, or whatever fragrant flower is growing in your garden) in a glass jar. Let the mixture sit, covered, for about 2 weeks, and then strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Add the water to dilute the vinegar and pour into a plastic bottle. Pour a handful over your hair after shampooing and rinse. Your locks will feel amazing.
- deer, raccoon, and occasional picnic pest detergent
1 quart (1 liter) vinegar
For all of vinegar's many uses, the animal kingdom appears not to have caught on to its alluring power. In fact, most creatures seem to despise it. So turn that natural aversion to your advantage, and let a bit of vinegar keep unwanted critters at bay. Decorate your garden with rafs that have been soaked in vinegar to keep deer from munching your vegetables; likewise, if you have more full trash bags than you have containers, discourage animals from getting too curious by dousing the outside of each bag with a liberal splash of vinegar (don't count on this to work, however, if yuo live in bear country). Even flying pests will be perturbed by the smell of vinegar: Place a few small bowls of vinegar in strategic spots at your next picnic (e.g., near the dessert table), and flies will choose a different dining spot.
- cleaning silk flower arrangements
Use a spray bottle filled with vinegar. When they get dusty, spray them lightly, and the dust is gone. They also look brand new!
- silk
Dip silks (but do not soak) in a mixture of 2/3 cup (150ml) mild detergent, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and 3 1/2 cups (900ml) of water. Rinse well, then roll in a heavy towel to soak up the excess moisture. Iron while still damp.
- Refreshing an Ironing Board Cover
Spritz the ironing board cover with vinegar and iron while still damp.
- ripening melons without mold
Try rubbing each melon with about a teaspoonful of full-strength vinegar every few days as they begin to ripen.
- removing diesel smells
If you have the misfortune to spill diesel fuel either clothes or yourself, you will know that the smell is horrible and refuses to go away. A little vinegar added to the washing machine will take most, if not all, of the smell out.
- carpet cleaners
The colors in carpets and rugs will often take on a new lease of life if they are brushed with a mixture of 1 cup (225ml) of vinegar in 1 gallon (3.75 liters) of water.
- Underarm Stain Remover
1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
1 tablespoon (15ml) vinegar
1 cup (250ml) water
Perspiration stains often go unnoticed until they render clothing an unsightly yellow. Treat such stains with a soak in water with equal parts lemon juice and vinegar. Let soak for an hour or up to overnight, then launder as usual. Note: Never use a oresiaj product or formula on clothes made of silk, linen, or wool, as these types of fabrics can develop water circles, bleed colors, or shrink. Also, if the stain remains after presoaking, never place the clothing in a dryer or iron it. This will cause the stain to become set by the heat, and, perhaps, make it impossible to get out.
- shoe cleaner
Remove winter salt stains from shoes by wiping with a cloth dampened in a vinegar solution. Use 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup (225ml) of water.
- cleaning raw wood
White vinegar can also be used to clean raw wood, such as a wooden cutting board. Pour undiluted vinegar onto the wood and then use a sponge to literally push the dirt away. Be sure to wipe in the direction of the wood grain, starting at one end and working to the other. This way the dirt you are trying to get rid of won't be pushed back into the wood grain.
- wood glue softener
1 tablespoon (15ml) vinegar
When repairing antique furniture or other wooden items, it's important to get rid of old glue beforehand to ensure the best bond possible. To soften the glue and make scraping it away much easier, use about 1 tablespoon (15ml) vinegar. For better access to wooden joints, fill a small medicine dropper with vinegar (the plunge-style dropper made for infants works well) and use it to squirt a small amount right where you need it. Naturally, vinegar also works well on cleaning up glue spills. Note: Vinegar may not be effective on more modern furniture that has been assembled with epoxy glues.
- fabric softener
Use white vinegar as you would use a liquid fabric softener.
- plastic shower curtain cleaner
laundry detergent
1 cup (250ml) vinegar
Soap scrum and soap film on a plastic shower curtain can make it look dingy and old. Plus,, there's the problem of mold and mildew that can accumulate. To remove soap scum and keep mold problems at bay, place the shower curtain in the washing machine with a few large towels. Add detergent and the vinegar and wash on the gentle setting. Remove the curtain right after the spin cycle, and hang it back in the shower. Tip: To prevent future buildup after laundering, dip a clean washcloth in a cup (250ml) of vinegar, coat the curtain with a final dose of vinegar, and allow to air-dry.
- No wax floor cleaner
1 cup vinegar
1 gallon of warm water
Wet mop no-wax floors with solution of vinegar and water to remove spills and kill many germs. Should not remove 'Perma-wax seal'.
- new wicks
Soak new propane lanterns wicks in vinegar for several hours. Let them dry before using. The wicks will burn longer and brighter.
- septic tank users
If you have a septic tank, use vinegar instead of harsh chemicals to clean the toilet bowl. Leave overnight if you can. It will help to keep the germs down.
- cleaning dentures
To clean dentures leave them in vinegar for as long as you would leave them in a denture cleanser - about 15 minutes to half an hour. Then brush them thoroughly.
- cleaning fluid for copper and brass
Make a brass and copper cleaner by combining equal parts of lemon juice and vinegar. Wipe it on a paper towel and then polish with a soft, dry cloth.
- removing stains from flowerpots
That staining that occurs in clay and plastic flowerpots and their saucers comes right out without scrubbing. Just fill the kitchen sink with cold water and add plain white vinegar about 2/3 water to 1/3 vinegar. Soak the pots and saucers until they look clean and new. This may take up to an hour. Wash with soap and water before reusing.
- Swimmer's ear prevention
2 tablespoons (30ml) vinegar
2 tablespoons (30ml) isopropyl alcohol
Swimmer's ear is the name for bacterial infection that occurs in the outer ear canal (versus deep inside like a normal ear infection). It commonly occurs after the day of swimming when the protective layer of wax that covers this sensitive skin can be worn away. To help get rid of bacteria-rich water in the ears after swimming, and, thus, lower the risk of an infection developing later, make a solution of equal parts vinegar and isopropyl alcohol and pack it in your beach bag. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and squeeze a few drops into each ear after swimming.
- blocked drain?
Use half a box of baking soda with a cup of warm vinegar. let this work for an hour or two, then pour down a lot of very hot water. An alternative is to use equal measures of baking soda and table salt, washed down with boiling water.
- cleaning photocopier glass
Keep a solution of one to two tablespoons vinegar and water in a small spray bottle for cleaning grass screens.
- Seed germinator
1 teaspoon (5ml) vinegar
3 tablespoons (45ml) water
Most seeds require damp conditions for optimal germination; unfortunately, the same conditions are also ideal for a variety of molds that can threaten a young seedling. If you start to see mold spores collecting, take matters into your own hands and fill a small spray bottle with the vinegar and water. Spray seedlings lightly to clean them off, and then transfer to a new container. Spritz seeds regularly with this diluted mixture while you wait for them to sprout.
- keeping cats away
Pour vinegar around the children's sand box to keep cats from using it as their litter box. Reapply about every two months just to be sure. Also you can sprinkle a little vinegar on your garden paths and patios to help keep cats away.
- removing fruit stains
To remove fruit stains from your hands, rub them with a little white vinegar and wipe with a cloth.
- cleaning work surfaces
Wipe all kitchen work surfaces down with full-strength white vinegar to clean them and reduce bacteria.
- removing white marks when letting hems down
When you let hems down on children's clothes, such as skirts and dresses, there is often a white mark where the fabric was turned up. Warm up your iron, and with an old toothbrush dipped in a little vinegar diluted with a small amount of water, scrub the mark and press. It usually comes right out. If not, then repeat.
- sponge/cloth restorer
If a sponge, washcloth, or dishcloth becomes slimy or smelly, soak overnight in a solution of half vinegar/half water. Rinse in clear water and leave to dry.
- oven cleaner 2
To keep your freshly cleaned oven from stinking up your house next time you bake something, wipe it with white vinegar poured directly on the sponge as a final rinse. It neutralizes the harsh alkali of oven cleaners.
- reviving old kitchen sponges
Renew old sponges by washing them in vinegar water, then soaking overnight in 4 cups (1 liter) of warm water with 3 tablespoons vinegar added to it.
- cleaning out a coffeemaker
Fill the water reservoir halfway with vinegar and run the coffeemaker as you normally do, then run it once full of water. The coffeemaker will be spotless.
- basic wood cleaning solution
3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
3 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
A few drops olive oil
This is a good mix for well-used furniture. The vinegar does a wonderful job of pulling dirt out of wood. Combine the ingredients in a bowl, saturate a sponge with the mixture, and squeeze out the excess to wash surfaces. The smell of vinegar will disappear in a few hours. Always store carefully in a labeled jar or bottle.
- removing stickers
Remove stickers by soaking a cloth in vinegar and covering for several minutes until the vinegar soaks in. The stickers should then peel off easily.
- cleaning plastic shower curtains
To prevent mildew on plastic shower curtains, keep a spray bottle of vinegar and water in the bathroom and use regularly.
- new clothes
Some new clothes may be treated with a chemical that can be irritating to sensitive skin. Soak new clothing in 1 gallon (3.75 liters) of water with 1 cup (225ml) of vinegar. Rinse, then wash as usual.
- All-purpose metal cookware scrub
1 tablespoon (8g) flour
1 tablespoon (18g) salt
1 tablespoon (15ml) vinegar
Here's a simple-to-remember formula for an amazingly effective scouring scrub: Measure equal amounts of flour, salt, and vinegar and mix into a paste. You'll have an all-purpose cleaner that's safe for cleaning all of your metal cookware. Rinse off with warm water and dry thoroughly with a soft kitchen towel.
- hand cleaner
Remove cooking smells from hands by rinsing them with vinegar and then wash thoroughly with soap and water.
- soften paintbrushes
Soak a paintbrush in hot vinegar, then wash out with warm, soapy water to soften it up.
- baby toy disinfectant
1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar
Since babies are especially prone to putting things in their mouths, you naturally want to keep your little one's toys as clean as possible. There's really no need to rely on harsh disinfectants when you have a bottle of vinegar in the house. Just soak a soft clean cloth in 1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar and use it to wipe down all the non-plush toys. Allow items to air dry (the vinegar scent will fade as it dries).
- leather shoe cleaner
1/2 cup (125ml) water
1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar
In winter, a quick walk through a slushy parking lot is likely to leave quite a bit of salt on your shoes and what may be good for melting ice can actually damage leather, if you allow the salt stains to build up over the season. To make an effective shoe cleaning solution, mix equal parts water and vinegar. Dip a clean cloth into the solution and dab it sparingly over the salt-streaked parts of your shoes. Repeat,a s necessary, until all the salt is removed, and then let them air dry.
- make a soda bottle
4 or 5 generous spoonfuls baking soda
4 or 5 squares toilet paper
1 20-ounce (591ml) plastic bottle (empty)
1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar
Here's a fun activity to make a kiddie pool seem even more exciting: Lay 4 or 5 squares of toilet paper on a table and put a generous spoonful of baking soda in the middle of each. Working one sheet at time, gather the four corners together, twist loosely to secure the contents, and gently push the bundle through the mouth of an empty 20-ounce (591ml) plastic bottle. When all of the bundles are in the bottle, top it off with 1/4 (60ml) vinegar and give the bottle cap one simple twist so that it is not tightly secured. Lay the bottle on its side in the pool or bathtub, then watch it skim along the surface as the chemical reaction inside sends millions of bubbles shooting out the back (the loosely capped end). Tip: Add marbles to weigh down the bottle opening so that the back end is in the water.
- soft fluffy blankets
Adding 2 1/2 cups (570ml) of white vinegar to a bathtub of water will make a good rinse for both cotton and wool blankets and leaves them free of soap, with their nap as soft and fluffy as new.
- bumper sticker remover
1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar
While bumper stickers are an incredibly popular means of self-expression, they can become a hindrance if you want to sell your car, and their adhesives make them notoriously difficult to remove-unless you know the vinegar secret. Soak a sponge in 1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar and use it soak the bumper sticker thoroughly. Wait 30 minutes and the edges of the sticker should start to come undone. Work slowly and carefully pull the sticker away, applying more vinegar as necessary to dissolve the glue. Rinse thoroughly with fresh water when you're done.
- cleaning cutting boards
Wipe down cutting boards with full-strength vinegar. It will clean them, cut grease, and absorb odors.
- disinfectant
Kill germs in the bathroom by mixing vinegar and water in a spritzer bottle. Apply liberally.
- wood paneling polish
2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar
2 cups (500ml) warm water
You can restore the warm, rich glow of most wood paneling with this simple formula: Combine the olive oil, vinegar, and warm water in a wide-mouth jar with a lid (an empty mayonnaise container works well). Shake until well combined. Wipe evenly on paneling with a clean cloth and let dry.
reviving old leatherwork
Mix a scant cup (200ml) of vinegar with 1 3/4 cup (400ml) of linseed oil. Shake this in a bottle until it reaches the consistency of cream. Rub into the leather and polish with a soft cloth.
- aromatic vinegar air freshener
Add approximately 1 3/4 oz (15g) each of sage, rosemary, mint, rue, and wormwood to 2 1/2 cups (570ml) of wine or cider vinegar. Allow the herbs to stand in the vinegar for about a week in a warm place. Strain and use as an air freshener or to control unpleasant smells.
- perking up cut flowers
Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding two tablespoons of vinegar and one tablespoon of sugar to each 4 cups (1 liter) of water.
- cleaning the refrigerator
Clean the refrigerator by washing with a solution of equal parts of water and vinegar.
- Brass cleaner
2 tablespoons (36g) salt
2 tablespoons (16g) flour
1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10ml) vinegar
In lieu of a toxic brass polisher, combine equal parts of flour and salt in a small bowl and ass just enough vinegar to make a paste. Use a soft cloth to apply the mixture to the brass item (wear rubber gloves, as this can be a dirty process if the item is heavily tarnished). Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a clean, soft cloth. This formula can be easily doubled for larger items. TIP: Before attempting to clean a tarnished nrass item, hold a magnet up to see if it really is brass. If the magnet sticks, the object is likely brass-plated and could be easily damaged by the abrasivness of salt.
- window and mirror cleaner
1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar
newspaper
Want a streak-free way to clean mirrors and windows? Pour about 1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar into a shallow bowl or pan. Crumple a sheet of newspaper and dip into the vinegar. Wipe the glass several ties with the newspaper until the surface is almost dry. Then shine with a clean, soft cloth or dry newspaper. Wear gloves if you don't want to get newspaper ink on your hands. Tip: If there are streaks left on your window after using this cleaning method, it's most likely due to a waxy residue left from prior use of a commercial cleanser. Add a dab of dish soap to the vinegar to help eliminate this buildup.
- stain remover
For stains caused by grass, coffee, tea, fruits and berries, mildew and ink, soak clothing in full strength vinegar.
- painting
Painting adheres better to galvanized metal after it has been brushed with vinegar.
- oven cleaner 1
Dampen your cleaning cloth in white vinegar and water and use it to wipe out your oven.
- cleaning drains
Keep your drains clean and working properly with vinegar. When they seem to be getting a bit sluggish, or even blocked, pour white vinegar down the kitchen and bathroom sinks and shower drain.
- neutralize garden lime
Rinse your hands liberally with vinegar after working with garden lime to avoid rough and flaking skin.
- to remove cooking odors
Boil a teaspoon of white vinegar mixed in 1 cup (225ml) of water to eliminate unpleasant cooking odors.
- make a see-through egg
1 egg
1 small plastic bowl
vinegar
Place an egg in a small plastic bowl and cover completely with vinegar. Refrigerate for 24 hours and then use a slotted spoon to lift the egg gently from its vinegar bath. Carefully rinse with water and repeat the process if the shell still remains. Cover with a fresh batch of vinegar and refrigerate for another 24 hours. Soon enough, you should be able to see the inside of the egg through its translucent and flexible membrane.
- drain cleaner
Vinegar and baking soda cause a chemical reaction when combined, so be prepared. They break down fatty acids from grease, other foods, and a buildup of soap into simpler substances. Pour 1/4 cup (2 oz) of baking soda and 2/3 (150ml) of vinegar into the drain. Cover, if possible, while the solution fizzes. Follow this with a bucketful of very hot water.
- cleaning plastics
Plastic can be cleaned and made antistatic by wiping down with a solution of one tablespoon of distilled vinegar to 2 quarts (2 liters) of water. This should prevent dust from settling as well.
- biodegradable bug and fly spray
Spraying bugs inside the home means that you get chemicals on carpets and furniture. Try filling an old water pistol with vinegar. You can then spray the offending insect without damaging the decor. This is alleged to work on cockroaches as well.
- brighter stainless steel
Spots on your stainless steel or aluminum kitchen equipment can be removed by rubbing with white vinegar. Note: Do not leave in vinegar, or the pots will corrode.
- rinsing dishes
Use white vinegar mixed with water to rinse off dishes after washing. This will take the soap off and leave them squeaky clean. A splash of vinegar added to the rinse water will also keep glasses from water spotting.
- floor cleaner
Add 2/3 cup (150ml) vinegar to 1 gallon (3.75 liters) of water to keep your vinyl floors clean and shining.
- easy iron cleaner
1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar
1/2 cup (125ml) water
1 tablespoon (14g) baking soda (optional)
A dirty iron can spell disaster when burned-on buildup of starch and hard water deposits leave a stain on freshly laundered fabric. To keep your iron in prime condition, combine the water and vinegar, along with the baking soda if the iron is especially dirty. Wet an old but clean towel with the mixture and then iron the towel until the plate of the iron is clean. Most manufacturers advise against putting anything except distilled water in an iron's reservoir, so don't use this formula from the inside out!
- cleaning metal screens and aluminum furniture
Use vinegar to clean away mineral build-up on metal. Add 3 tablespoons to 4 cups (1 liter) of water for cleaning metal screens and aluminum furniture.
