Safe and Green Living: Vinegar - Other Uses

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.

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.

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.

Safe and Green Living