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Vinegar is something that should be in everyone’s house. It can be used for salad dressings, brining, cleaning, and taking care of weeds. The most basic white vinegar is very inexpensive at approximately $3.15 for a gallon where some artisan vinegars can cost upwards of $200 for 750 milliliters. The sciencey part of vinegar is how it is made, how it works for so many things is just magic. Vinegar is essentially an alcohol like wine, cider, or beer that goes through a second fermentation where the alcohol has mixed with oxygen in the air. The alcohol actually changes into acetic acid and water. The first vinegars were probably the result of a happy accident in ancient times where wine that was served one day was not properly stored for the next and went sour. That first sip was probably a doozy, but we are lucky that the ancients decided it could have of use and began to perfect the techniques in making it.
The following are some of the uses that I have for plain white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. If there is a caution in the description it’s likely I have had that experience and don’t want anyone else to find out the hard way. This is by no way an exhaustive list of the two most popular vinegar uses, just the ones I can think of at the moment.
There are a few things that vinegar should NEVER be mixed with.
- Vinegar and Bleach. This creates chlorine and chloramine vapors. What this will do is cause chemical burns for your eyes, respiratory system, and any other exposed mucus membranes.
- Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide. This creates paracetic acid and it can be highly corrosive causing severe damage to eyes, skin, respiratory system, and other mucus membranes. So while this is used in hospitals, food industry in regards to microbial organisms, and as a disinfectant at water treatment plants it is not something that should be mixed at home.
Apple Cider Vinegar
- Salad mister. Mixing apple cider vinegar with a bit of water and spritzing on a salad is makes the salad taste lighter and brighter than some heavier dressings.
- Meat tenderizer. If you are having fresh game meat like venison, apple cider vinegar makes the meat softer and more palatable.
- Hair rinse. Once a week I take a small bottle into the shower and use about of cup of apple cider vinegar after I have washed my hair. It really helps soften my hair and makes detangling much easier. Caution: if this gets in your eyes it burns like crazy, also there is no one bringing you fish and chips in the shower.
- Wood furniture and cabinet degreaser. This is more gentle than the multipurpose cleaner, but it does cut through grease and cleans the well used spots on the cabinet doors. Spray down the area and use a soft cloth. Caution: do not use on white cabinets.
White Vinegar (usually distilled to a 5% solution)
- Hair spray residue remover. Spray non-diluted vinegar on the covered tile or linoleum. Let stand for 10-15 minutes and then clean up with soft cloth or mop. Caution: I have not tried this on any other surfaces so I do not know if it would effect sealants or finishes.
- Sponges. Wash in vinegar water and then soak them overnight in a quart of water with 1/4-1/3 cup vinegar.
- Mineral buildup. I love this because it covers animals water bowls, coffee and tea makers, clothes steamers, screen doors and outdoor furniture. 1/4-1/3 cup vinegar to 1 quart of water. Let water bowls sit in this for a while and then you should be able to wipe out the mineral deposits. For coffee/tea makers and clothes steamers, mix the solution together and use only what will fit and run through the appliance, then do the same with fresh clean water. This should lift most mineral deposits and some stains. For screen doors, mix and spray or use a soft cloth. For outdoor furniture I would use either a garden hose feeder attachment or a hand pump pressure sprayer with the solution.
- Disposal cleaning. My disposal can get gross, so this is sometimes a once a week to twice a week task. Just put a tray of ice cubes in the disposal, turn on, and pour 1/2-1 cup of vinegar in while running.
- Laundry. I have read some articles that state put a half cup of vinegar in with the wash. I prefer using a whole cup of white vinegar. I add it at the same time I put in the laundry detergent. This takes place of any fabric softener, helps keep towels absorbent, and it helps kill things like athlete’s foot germs on socks. Clothes do not smell like vinegar after being washed like this and because it is vinegar it helps keep the dryer vent free from the chemical film that fabric softeners can leave behind, which increases fire risks.
- Fruit and veggie wash. 1 cup vinegar to sink full of water. Let produce soak for 15 minutes and then rinse clean and store. It helps get some of the junk that is now on most produce and helps it last a bit longer.
- Paint brushes. Paint brushes that have been left with paint in them can be cleaned by covering them with boiling vinegar and letting them stand for about an hour. Bring the brushes and vinegar back to a soft or gentle boil for 20 minutes. After rinsing the brushes should be clean, soft, and pliable. If it did not get the paint completely out, repeat the process.
- Glue……most glues. This one makes me laugh a bit because I have gotten myself in some sticky situations with certain crafts involving glue. Basically wet the mistake down with vinegar and leave overnight, the glue should be able to be scraped away the next day. Caution: Do not use on paper crafts….yeah, I know.
- Sticker and decal remover. If it is something that you can soak, use warm vinegar. Then peel or scrape off.
