Friday, September 09, 2011

Handy uses for vinegar in the Home

http://mostlysweetwithafewnutsperry.blogspot.com/p/cleaning.html
Vinegar is clearly one of the safest and most versatile household products on the planet: Handy uses for vinegar in the home

1. Glass Cleaner

My absolute favorite is using it to clean hard water deposits on my windows. In fact there is no window cleaner out there that can even compare to effectiveness and cost. In addition to cleaning windows, vinegar is also great for cleaning other glassware. Vase looking dingy? Put vinegar and uncooked rice in it and swish around. The rice is a natural abrasive...and the vinegar cleans it.

2. Itch Reliever

Vinegar can provide relief from itchy insect bites. I cover a fresh mosquito bite with it for about a minute and it takes the itchiness away. Vinegar can also soothe skin that's been irritated by plants: You can also use vinegar for the sting of plants that burn your skin.

3. Pet Deterrent

In addition to eliminating pet odors, vinegar can deter your furry friends from gnawing on your lovely living room furniture. Vinegar and lemon in spray bottle keep pets from chewing furniture.

4. Anti-Fungal Agent

Vinegar can help banish various fungal problems. Vinegar can be used to kill toe fungi! Soak the foot in a pan of warm water and vinegar daily for several months. Works! Do you suffer from swimmer's ear? An ENT suggested that after swimming use a mixture that is half white vinegar and half rubbing alcohol and put it in your ear for a few seconds. The vinegar is an a anti-fungal and the alcohol kills germs.

5. Hard Water Stains/Mineral Build-up Remover

There are many ways to use vinegar in the kitchen, including cleaning pots, stainless steel and hot water kettles. I usually vinegar to clean lime off my electric kettle; just add 20ml of vinegar to the kettle, fill it up with water and switch on the kettle, and ta-da! The lime is gone!

6. Heartburn Reliever

Suffering from heartburn? Vinegar works awesome for heart burn. It neutralizes the stomach acid. It's the best heartburn medication ever. 1 tsp in a glass of water.

7. Gnat and Flea Catcher

Having a problem with gnats? Put about 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar in a cup and add a few drops of dish soap, and leave the cup sitting around. The gnats are attracted to the vinegar, and the dish soap will kill them. A similar trick works for catching fleas put vinegar out in a white container: Fleas are attracted to white, use white foam plates and they will jump in there and drown. Also, you can spray it on carpets.(check for color fast before using on carpets vinegar acts as a bleach)

8. Ironing Aide

Use plain white vinegar to set or remove creases in clothing, just put some in a spritzer bottle, lightly spray the area, then press. It doesn't leave your clothes stiff like spray starch and the smell disappears with the steam. Works great!

9. Ant Deterrent

If you're looking for a humane way to get rid of ants, vinegar will do the job: Use vinegar to clean away ants. It may not kill the little buggers but it disrupts their sense of smell enough that they cannot find their needed foods and go away.

10. Hair Conditioner and Product Remover

Use vinegar for various hair care needs. My hairdresser advised me to rinse my hair with a little white vinegar and water mixture to remove all of the remnants of hair products after washing it. I tried it and it renewed the shine in my hair, as well. Great advice. Apple cider vinegar is a great alternative to a cream rinse: Mix 1 cup vinegar to a gallon of warm water and pour over your hair to as a detangler...works great!