Darling, I just completed my research about the uses for vinegar and it generated about 176,000,000 results. Wowee…
Here’s the thing. Most people are trying to live healthier lives today. One way they’re trying to do that is to cut down on the myriad of chemicals that they’re subjected to on a daily basis.
Vinegar is just one eco-friendly product you can use to replace those chemically-laden products in your home. But what is it?
What is Vinegar?
Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid and trace chemicals that may include flavorings. Vinegar typically contains 5–8% acetic acid by volume Usually the acetic acid is produced by the fermentation of ethanol or sugars by acetic acid bacteria.
There are many types of vinegar, depending on source materials. Vinegar is now mainly used in the culinary arts: as a flavorful, acidic cooking ingredient, or in pickling. (Source: Wikipedia)
Simple Vinegar Life Hacks
Everyone knows that a splash of vinegar is great on a salad, and that it can be used as a tenderizer for meat. However, not everyone knows the many ways vinegar can be used around the home to clean without the use of chemicals.
Therefore, give me just 6 minutes and let’s discover a few interesting uses of vinegar around the home.
Cooking Uses for Vinegar
The acidity or sourness of vinegar enhances the flavor of food and adds balance to a rich dish. It is found in popular kitchen staples like salad dressings, marinades, sauces, mayonnaise, and ketchup. Vinegar certainly can change the texture of foods.
This vinegar is made from grain-based ethanol or acetic acid, which is mixed with water to make it more soluble and suitable for cooking. Due to its strong flavor, white vinegar is mostly used to add pungency in foods and is also helpful in cleaning around the house.
Besides cleaning kitchen messes, some of the most popular uses for white vinegar in the kitchen are:
- Pickles
- Salads
- Marinades & Sauces
- Baking
- Cheesemaking
Medicinal Uses for Vinegar
Acne Skin Treatment
A popular home treatment uses apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has long been lauded for its health benefits, including acne. Some claim that apple cider vinegar has the ability to rid your skin of bacteria, balance your skin’s pH level, and keep your face fresh and free of excessive oil.
Apple cider vinegar is also high in citric acid, which is a strong exfoliating ingredient that can help remove excess dead skin cells and improve your skin’s overall texture and tone. To use, simply dilute the apple cider vinegar, one part vinegar to eight parts water.
If possible, use high quality apple cider vinegar and purified water. To use, wet a cotton ball with your apple cider vinegar mix and gently moisten your skin. Don’t overdo it. Apple cider vinegar is strong stuff that can dry out your skin, resulting in even more breakouts.
Kitchen Cleaning Using Vinegar
Coffee Maker Cleaning
When was the last time you thoroughly cleaned your coffee maker? Washing the pot is important but getting the internal components of a coffee maker clean is a task that shouldn’t be skipped. I betcha didn’t even know that you’re supposed to clean it?
A clean coffee maker can be the difference between a good cup of coffee and a nasty cup of sludge. Leftover coffee oils can accumulate inside your coffee maker.
Cleaning your coffee maker is not a hard task to accomplish and in fact, it’s as easy as making coffee. All you have to do is pour a pot of half white vinegar and half water into the coffee maker’s water reservoir. Then just turn on the regular brew cycle.
Now rinse the coffee maker out by using only water this time in the water reservoir and running the brew cycle again.
If you have an old coffee maker and you aren’t happy with the taste of it’s brew, why not try cleaning it. A clean coffee maker will brew better tasting coffee. (Please check the owner’s manual for instructions for your particular maker.)
Microwave Deodorizer
Boiling a solution of one-fourth cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water and inside the microwave will help clean and deodorize your microwave. The moisture from the boiling solution will loosen the splattered food and make it much easier to remove with a soft cloth or sponge.
Bathroom Uses for Vinegar
Toilet Bowl Stains
Remove stubborn toilet bowl stains by spraying them with vinegar. Use a little elbow grease and the stains will come off. You can also add 3 cups of vinegar to your bowl to help deodorize it. Let it sit for one-half hour and flush for a fresh-smelling bowl.
Laundry Uses for Vinegar
Clothes Laundering
Do you have baby clothes that aren’t as clean and soft as they used to be? Add one cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle of the load the next time you wash. The vinegar will help break down uric acid and soapy residue. Clothes will come out soft and fresh.
You can also add a cup of vinegar to the last rinse cycle of your normal load of clothes to help dissolve the alkaline base of soaps and detergents.
Soak clothes that have never been washed before in white distilled vinegar to help set the colors.
How many of us hate the deodorant and antiperspirant stains on our clothes? Before laundering, lightly rub white distilled vinegar onto the areas where the stain would be. Toss it in the wash as usual.
Other Household Uses for Vinegar
Cleaning Metal Surfaces
Clean brass, copper, and pewter by creating a paste. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of plain salt in a 1 cup of vinegar. Stir in enough flour to make a paste. Then use the paste on any metal surface and let it stand for about 15 minutes. Make sure you rinse with clean warm water and then polish until it’s dry.
Window Cleaner
Forget about using the window cleaners from the stores. The cheapest and most effective way to clean windows is to combine half water and half vinegar. Put it in a mister, and spray it on the windows. Dry the window with a soft, lint-free cloth. Your windows will sparkle and be streak-free.
The Bottom Line
There are many culinary uses for vinegar. However, the flavor of white vinegar is particularly strong, so start with small amounts if you’re using it for the first time.
Not only is vinegar versatile for cooking, but it is also a versatile cleaning product that can be used in any room of your house.
Reducing the chemicals we use in our homes has never been easier. And, it doesn’t require buying multiple products to clean the home, and keep it chemical-free. You can use vinegar and baking soda to clean any part of the house! So, get started with your bathroom cleaning. All it really takes is a bottle of vinegar, and a little know-how
