We ALMOST made it through the winter without getting sick...then BAM a nasty cold has hit our house hard this week. First it was the baby, then me, now my hubby too. All I have done this week is wipe noses, wash hands, and try to keep my house disinfected to prevent spreading any more germs. The other day I mentioned I am trying to go more of a natural route when it comes to cleaning, and a few months ago, you may even remember a post about home made cleaners. We have fallen in love with vinegar in my house! You may think "Yuck the smell", but as soon as it is dries the smell is gone.
The other day we bought a giant 2 gallon box of white vinegar from Costco and it listed a bunch of uses for vinegar. I am going to post my favorite 10, there are far more uses than this though!1: Toilet Bowl Cleaner- Clean & deodorize your toilet bowl by pouring undiluted white distilled vinegar into it. Let it stand about 5 minutes, then flush. Stubborn stain may require a gentle scrub.
2: Ants- Ant invasions can be deterred by washing counter tops, cabinets, and floors with distilled vinegar. This is a lot more pet and child friendly than ant poison!
3: Grass or Weeds- Kill unwanted grass on sidewalks and driveways by pouring on vinegar. Love the alternative to poison.
4: Irons- Remove burn stains from your electric iron by mixing one part salt with one part vinegar in a heated small aluminum pan.
5: Glassware- 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar added to a gallon of rinse water will remove soap film from glassware and make it shine. I just add it to my dishwasher, no need to buy Jet Dry.
6: Vegetables- Liven up slightly wilted veggies by soaking them in cold water and vinegar.
7: Meat- A marinade of 1/2 cup of your favorite vinegar and a cup of liquid bouillon makes an effective meat tenderizer.
8: Cheese- Keep cheese moist and fresh by wrapping it in a cloth that has been damped with vinegar and sealed in an air tight wrap or container.
9: Onion Odors- Quickly remove onion odor from your hands by rubbing them with distilled white vinegar.
10: Flowers- Add 2 TBSP of vinegar plus 3 TBSP of sugar to a quart of warm water to keep fresh cut flowers blooming longer.
What do you use vinegar for?
Wow! I never would have thought vinegar could be used on all of that!!!
ReplyDeleteI've always used vinegar for a household cleaner as well has a laundry deodorizer. I always have it in the house. And I personally don't mind the smell! Thanks for other ideas!
ReplyDeleteVinegar is the best. It's definitely my favorite household cleaner. I did not know some of these tips though. Very interesting (like the cheese thing, who knew?). I use diluted vinegar for daily cleaning (counters, glass, etc.), use it in the laundry and in the dishwasher. Love, love.
ReplyDeleteI love this list! Question: For the dishwasher, do you add it to the Jet Dry thing or just poor it in the bottom of the dishwasher?
ReplyDeleteI actually pour it in with my dish soap, it fizzes a little, but works great! I haven't thought about the jet dry spot, maybe I will put it in there and see how it does.
ReplyDeleteI use it to help me sleep. Actually, my husband has sleep apnea and we use it to clean his CPAP machine, which helps me sleep! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI use vinegar in place of downy for fabric softener. It works wonders to create soft fluffy absorbent towels!
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