MORE THAN SEW SO

Brian Clark Howard writes‘Now that you know ketchup can be used for shining copper and repairing hair, or that vodka can be used to repel insects and freshen laundry, you may have been wondering what tasks you can get done for cheap with other household items.

According to the Vinegar Institute, the useful stuff was probably discovered by accident (most wine drinkers know what happens when you leave a bottle sitting around too long). In fact the word vinegar comes from a French translation for “sour wine.”

Over the centuries vinegar has been produced from many stocks, including molasses, dates, sorghum, fruits, coconut, honey, beer, maple syrup, potatoes, beets, grains, and more. But the principle is the same: You get acetic acid (a.k.a. vinegar) after first fermenting natural sugars to alcohol, and then fermenting again.

As Michael de Jong, The Daily Green’s Zen Cleaner and author of the Clean series of books, points out, vinegar has been pressed into service for many uses over the centuries. It has been prized as a foodstuff, condiment, preservative, and natural remedy.

What’s so great about vinegar? Besides being effective, vinegar is cheap and widely available. It is nontoxic and lasts for a very long time without losing strength. It does not pollute land, air, or water, and it doesn’t combust. It’s much safer to have under your sink than bleach, ammonia, or other toxic cleaning products. Many folks also swear by the benefits of apple cider vinegar.

In the spirit of green cleaning, green thrift, and green creativity, they have put together this list of alternative uses for vinegar.

Cure hiccups

Some have said they were able to cure pesky hiccups instantly by swallowing a teaspoon of vinegar. Most folks use white vinegar, but people have also reported success with apple cider, balsamic, and rice varieties. So you have a few options as far as taste and aroma. Hey, if the Roman legions drank it, it must be good for you, right?

Fight cramps

If you often get foot or leg cramps in the middle of the night, you may want to try boosting your potassium levels. There are a number of great superfoods rich in potassium (way beyond bananas). Some folks have also suggested trying this remedy: Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon of honey, and a cup of hot water. Then drink before bed. Yummy!

Break bad bonds

Having trouble getting that annoying sticky label residue off a product? Or accidentally glue something together? Vinegar can be used as a solvent to dissolve many common adhesives. Vinegar is also good at cutting grease.

Deter cats

We love cats (even LOLcats!). But sometimes you don’t want them doing their business in the kids’ sandbox or in your flower bed. According to HomeEnvy, a simple solution is to pour vinegar around the edges of the area you want to protect every few months.

Wash produce

According to the green team at Ideal Bite, vinegar can help remove bacteria and pesticide residues from fruits and veggies. Mix three parts water to one part white vinegar, and dispense in a spray bottle. Then rinse with water. The site claims this wash kills 98% of bacteria on produce.

Clean windows

Instead of spending money on window cleaning chemicals — especially ones that include toxic or potentially toxic chemicals — make your own! Mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water, and dispense into a used spray bottle. Squirt on, then scrub with newspaper, not paper towels, which cause streaking.

Get spring-fresh laundry

Got grass stains? No problemo, says Michael de Jong. Make a mixture of one-third cup white vinegar and two-thirds cup water. Apply the solution to the stain and blot with a clean cloth. Repeat this process until you’ve removed as much green as possible, and then launder as usual.

When your big washing day comes around, toss in a capful of white vinegar. Your colors will come out bolder and your whites whiter. If you’ve recently had an encounter with a skunk, it will take more than a capful.
After washing, get a sharper crease in pants by dipping the cloth in a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. Then wring out the cloth and press the creases. Now you look like Dilbert!

Clean carpets

According to this The Daily Green community member: “Spots in carpets often remove with a simple dilution of one part vinegar, one-sixteenth part lemon juice, and eight parts distilled water.”‘

And Ashley Grimaldo also adds four more creative uses for vinegar:

‘People around the world have used vinegar for nearly 10,000 years. The tangy, Easter smelling liquid can be incorporated into cooking, cleaning, gardening, health, automotive, and pet care. It’s the edible version of duct tape in terms of versatility. With a wide range of uses, and dirt-cheap cost, keep a gallon of white vinegar on hand for the following uses:

1. In the Kitchen

Vinegar is the chief ingredient in many salad dressings, marinades, and picnic staples. But it can also cover a multitude of cooking sins. Soak wilted vegetables in water diluted with vinegar to liven them up. If you were a bit heavy handed with the salt, add a touch of vinegar to the mix as a neutralizer. Toss a smidgen of vinegar to boiling water when making rice for a secret ingredient zest.

Cooking pasta can be tricky if done too early–the high starch content makes the noodles coagulate and they are virtually ruined if not immediately served. Try adding a dash of vinegar to the boiling water to reduce the stickiness. Include a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar to any cake mix or recipe to improve moistness. And my personal favorite: use vinegar to get rid of pungent onion odor on your hands. Check your local grocer for herb and fruit infused varieties.

2. Green Spring Cleaning

Vinegar works wonders in the scrubbing, degriming department. Most solutions for cleaning with vinegar include a half and half water mixture and sometimes salt or baking soda. To cut the lime buildup on a chrome sink or tub, add two tablespoons of salt to 1 teaspoon of vinegar making a thick paste. Create your own cleanser and save money by 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 tablespoon liquid detergent, and just enough distilled vinegar to make it cloudy.

This superhero of a liquid also cuts stagnant smells with its deodorizing power. Wipe down counters with a rag soaked in diluted white distilled vinegar to give it a fresh scent. Do you loathe scraping crusted food off the microwave like I do? Bring 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup vinegar to a rolling boil in the microwave then simply wipe clean. Pasted food easily comes off leaving a pleasant smell.

Never underestimate vinegar’s power to cut grease and film. I dilute vinegar in water and run it through an empty coffee pot or dishwasher a couple of times a month to keep them fresh and free of grime. It also works wonders on cloudy dishware.

3. Does a Body Good

I’ll be the first to admit that my feet don’t smell like roses at the end of the day, and I use the fancy foot powder. Soak your feet in a small tub of diluted vinegar and the stench disappears! I can verify from experience. Vinegar also works as a facial toner, itch reliever, bad breath exterminator, and nail polish strengthener. It even helps ease the pain of sunburn or insect bites when applied directly to the skin.

4. Pet Uses

Vinegar is the antidote to catnip, feline kryptonite. Cats can be exhaustibly determined when it comes to adding artistic flair to your new armchair. Prevent those scratch marks by spraying a diluted solution of water and distilled vinegar to your furniture (always test a small segment first). If your cat indulges in the garden, spray the vegetation with the same solution to repel him. You can remove the stink of cat doo from the litter box by rinsing it with vinegar.

For dogs that scratch their ears too much, rub them with a cloth soaked in pure vinegar. And to make Fido’s coat gleam, spray a solution of vinegar/water to his fur and you’ll be the envy of Bark Park.

Learn from the ancient Babylonians, Romans, and early Europeans who employed the multifaceted power of vinegar. Best of all, it costs next to nothing! Check out more tips and suggestions at The Vinegar Institute.

Until next time!

Filed under: Ashley Grimaldo, Brian Clark Howard, Michael di Jong, Vinegar Institute, acetic acid, vinegar