Thursday, January 19, 2012

More than an Ingredient for Salads


The two items I always buy in bulk are White Vinegar and Baking Soda.  Why you may ask?  They are both great for not only for the kitchen and culinary applications, but have many other uses as well - in other areas of the house.  This is a list that I once found on a Vinegar bottle and felt it was worth hanging onto.

Uses for White Vinegar

  • Laundry - Add 1 cup to your load of laundry to freshen and brighten.  Be sure to test on a non-visible section of clothing before adding to a load.
  • Ease Bug Bites/Sunburn/Poison Ivy or Poison Oak Rashes - Soak a cotton ball in vinegar then dab affected area(s).
  • Clean Produce - Use 4 Tblsp of vinegar in 1 gallon of water to rinse produce (this can help remove some of the harmful residues often sprayed on produce at harvest time - 15 minutes of soaking is ideal)
  • Protect Garden from Unwanted Pests - Place rags soaked in vinegar on stakes around perimeter of garden.  Re-soak every 7 to 10 days.
  • Remove White Rings from Wood Furniture - Combine equal parts Olive Oil and Vinegar.  Use a soft cloth to apply mixture, moving with the wood grain.  (It then says "Use a fresh cloth to polish to a shine." - not sure if you continue to use that mix or if they are referring to a furniture polish.)
  • Get Rid of Mildew - Can be sprayed onto painted surfaces, bath tubs, plastic curtains, bathroom fixtures, and tile (except marble, limestone or travertine).
  • Remove Odors from Hands - Rub vinegar onto hands before and after handling strong smelling foods such as fish, onions or garlic.
  • Deodorize Kitchen Drains - Use 1 cup of vinegar, pour it down the drain, let it stand for 30 minutes.  Rinse with cold running water.  You can do this once a week.
  • Build a Volcano - *There is a note saying that this one is best done outdoors with adult supervision.*  To build the base of the volcano pack clay or mud around a small bottle set in a baking pan until it resembles a mountain/volcano.  Be careful not to get the mud/clay inside the bottle.  Fill 3/4 of the bottle with warm tap water (colored with food coloring if you wish).  Add 6 drops of dish detergent and 2 Tblsp of baking soda to the bottle.  For the eruption, slowly (and carefully) pour vinegar into the bottle.
There is also a caution at the bottom of the list..."CAUTION: Do not let Vinegar come in contact with jewelry.  Vinegar will dissolve pearls."

What is your favorite use for vinegar?  Are any of these uses new to you?  Which ones do you use regularly?  Have more to add?

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