Hang in there, peeps...this really is exciting stuff!
Who knew? I mean, I'm sure lots of people knew, but I continue to be amazed at everything this substance can do. It seems like every time I google for a solution to something the answer is vinegar! Case in point: I was moaning and groaning with the worst heartburn ever a couple of weeks ago. I tried over the counter stuff, I tried a glass of cold milk (usually works like a charm). Via email, I complained to Tracy about how I just may die of heartburn. I'd be the first lethal case. After a quick google search, she emailed back with "Vinegar!" Why didn't I think of that...I should know by now that it really works for everything!
The first thing I used vinegar for was cleaning glass. The windows and doors around here are constantly covered with dog nose smudges and Homey prints. Even though I do actually like to clean, glass is my least favorite chore. Because of the streaks. Heavens to Betsy, I could never get all the streaks off with a bottle of blue glass cleaner. Then I tried vinegar. No streaks! I couldn't even believe it. The added bonus is that the is no chemical haze floating around in the air...just vinegar (lots of people don't love the smell of vinegar...I personally find it better than bleach, cleansers, etc. Plus the smell is gone as soon as the area is dry!)
Then I realized that I can use a spray bottle of half vinegar and half water all over the house! I replaced my handy dandy Swiffer wetjet with this spray bottle and a regular swiffer covered in a microfiber cloth. Kitchen and bathroom floors...check! (As an aside--I do not use vinegar on my hardwood floors, but I have read you can dilute 1/2 cup of vinegar into a 1/2 gallon of warm water to clean wood floors...) What else can we use it for?
Spray down the inside of your fridge!
And get this...dab it on a cold sore for 5 minutes regularly. Cuts the healing time in half!
Take a spoonful when you cannot get rid of heartburn (Warning: This hurts!! It burns! But it sure does work...).
Add vinegar to fresh flowers to make the blooms last longer.
To soften feet, soak in vinegar for 45 minutes then use a pumice stone to smooth rough spots.
There are tons of laundry uses. Laundry eludes me, so you'll just have to take my word for that.
Let's look at the financial aspect of good ol' vinegar while we're here. Below, I've listed the average retail price for some common household products:
Windex: $3.99
Swiffer wet jet solution: $5.99
Swiffer wet jet refills: $5.99
Abreva: $16.99
Pepto bismol: $4.50
Total: $37.46
One gallon of vinegar: $5.49
Swiffer wet jet solution: $5.99
Swiffer wet jet refills: $5.99
Abreva: $16.99
Pepto bismol: $4.50
Total: $37.46
One gallon of vinegar: $5.49
I just love finding ways to cut down on cleaning products. So knowing that my main cleaning product can also replace a lot of products in my medicine cabinet makes me virtually giddy! I'm not the crunchiest chick out there, but I am always looking for ways to use less household chemicals. So if you're looking for me, follow the smell of vinegar...I'll be close by!
Start using vinegar on your hardwood floors it is the best thing for them. When I was at Monticello VA (Jefferson's home). I asked how they kept the wood floors looking so good without waxing. And they said they used vinegar and water, it even deters bugs. If you want another good cleaning product with out all of the chemicals check out all the things ammonia can clean...it is the best product for painted surfaces. And also check out baking soda...best nonabrasive abrasive around for cleaning cooked on gunk on you pans. Wet the pan, liberally sprinkle baking soda and with a dish brush scrub until all is the gunk is gone. Karen B
ReplyDeleteI'm going to buy a gallon tomorrow.
ReplyDelete