Safe and Green Living: Vinegar - Other Uses

egged car cleaner
1/4 cup (60ml) vinegar
1 gallon (4 liters) warm water

Most likely a result of a practical joke, an egg-splattered car is not a laughing matter. Eggs can leave a protein-based residue that can badly damage a car's paint surface. To remedy the situation, act as quickly as possible: Mix the vinegar solution to the affected areas liberally, picking off as much of the eggshell as possible (the shell can scratch the paint, so remove all that you can beforehand). Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes and then use a clean, damp rag to wipe the car clean. Repeat, as necessary, until all egg is removed.

forgotten load rescuer
2 cups (500ml) vinegar

Have you ever started a load of laundry only to realize later you have forgotten to transfer it to the dryer? If this happens during the dog days of summer, nature has a way of sending its own unpleasant reminder in the form of a distinct, moldy smell. Unfortunately, simply washing the clothes all over again many not be enough to get rid of the odor. Instead, start the washer again with hot water (no soap) and 2 cups (500ml) vinegar. After the first cycle, restart your machine with the usual amount of soap.

repelling mosquitoes
Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a quart of drinking water. This helps to deal with heat stress and also helps to repel mosquitoes.

removing tempera paint
Vinegar works well to remove tempera paint, or the type of paint you use when you decorate your windows for Halloween or Christmas. It takes it off almost immediately. Sponge vinegar over the paint, then wipe off, removing residual paint with paper towels.

cleaning a showerhead
Clean a showerhead by unscrewing it to remove the rubber washer. Place the head in a pot filled with equal parts vinegar and water, bring it to a boil, then simmer for five minutes. Alternatively, soak the showerhead in vinegar overnight, then rinse in hot water to keep it flowing freely.

removing the smell of smoke from clothes
Get the stale cigarette smoke smell out of clothes by adding 1 cup (225ml) of vinegar to a bath of hot water. Hang the clothes above the steam. Leave them in the bathroom overnight, with a window open if possible.

Cleaning Bottom of Iron
Make a paste of baking soda and vinegar to clean the bottom of your iron.

getting rid of slugs
If you have a slug problem, drop a few drops of white vinegar on them. Be careful not to get the vinegar on your plants.

vinegar as a weed suppressant
Mix 3 parts water with 1 part concentrated acetic acid, or vinegar, to get a final concentration of 6 percent. You should be able to achieve a 6 percent acetic acid concentration by mixing household table vinegar with concentrated lemon or lime juice in equal parts. This will not act on the young tender new growth of plants. It is not taken into the roots but basically burns the top growth. If repeated consistently every week to 10 days during the vigorous growing season, it will eventually kill off the plants by starving the roots. Please note that this is a suppressant for hardier perennial weeds, not a weed killer. It may be effective on young annual plants and should help control perennials with multiple applications.

removing the smell of animal urine
Blot up the urine with a soft cloth and wash several times with lukewarm water. Apply a mixture of equal parts vinegar and cool water. Blot up again, rinse, and let dry.

bathroom fixture cleaner
3/4 cup (175ml) vinegar
3/4 cup (175ml) water

Owing to its grease-fighting ability, vinegar is an excellent resource for polishing chrome and stainless steel surfaces like bathroom fixtures. Keep a spray bottle filled with equal parts vinegar and water with your bathroom cleaning supplies (change the amount if necessary, but keep the ratio 1:1). Just a quick squirt on the fixtures is all you need to keep them spotless. Wipe dry and buff to a shine with a dry paper towel.

Tea-kettle cleaner
1/2 cup (125ml) vinegar
2 cups (500ml) water

With repeated use, tea-kettles tend to develop a buildup of lime scale that's essentially the accumulation of minerals form hard water. Aside from drifting free now and them into your teacup, lime scale can also slow down the efficiency of the pot in reaching a boil. Fortunately, a quick vinegar steam is all it takes to significantly eliminate much of the problem. Boil the vinegar and water in the teapot for 10 to 15 minutes, remove from heat, and let cool. Drain and refill with fresh water and boil again for 10 minutes to remove all traces of vinegar. Repeat every few months (or more frequently, if you're an avid tea drinker) to keep your pot in tip-top shape.

cleaning varnished wood
If varnished wood has taken on a cloudy appearance but the cloudiness hasn't gone through to the wood, it can be removed by rubbing the wood with a soft cloth soaked in a solution of 1 tablespoon of distilled vinegar in 4 cups (1 liter) of lukewarm water. Wring out the cloth and rub into the wood. Complete the job by wiping the surface with a soft dry cloth.

getting rid of underarm marks
Perspiration marks can be eliminated by soaking them with vinegar before laundering in the usual way. To remove the solid residue on the underarm of a shirt left by deodorants, soak the area in white vinegar until saturated, then wash as usual. This removes any odor as well.

vinyl floor cleaning
For effortless cleaning and less bending, try squirting vinegar on the head of a moistened mop and wiping over the floor. Environmentally friendly and cheap!

Safe and Green Living