Vinegar - Other Uses - Page 6

• 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.