Popular Vinegar Recipes

All purpose Cleaner
½ cup household ammonia
½ cup white vinegar
¼ cup baking soda
½ gallon of water

Combine in a glass or plastic bottle.  It works for all sorts of general cleaning chores.  Pour some into a spray bottle to keep handy

Toilet Cleaner
1 cup borax
1 cup vinegar

Pour the vinegar over in the toilet bowel working some up around the rim.  Sprinkle borax over the vinegar.  Allow the mixture to soak for at least 2 hours or leave it on overnight.  Then use a brush to loosen the grime and flush/

Kitchen Grease Cutting Cleaner
¼ cup baking soda
2/3 cup white vinegar
¾ cup ammonia
hot water

Pour the first three ingredients into a clean gallon container.  Shake to mix.  Add enough hot water to fill the container.  Use the cleaner to wash greasy areas in the kitchen.  Rinse with clean water and let dry.  To protect your hands use rubber gloves and make sure you have adequate ventilation in the room.

Oven Cleaner
1 cup vinegar  
1 cup borax
¼ cup concentrated powdered laundry detergent

Make a paste out of the vinegar, borax and detergent.  Heat the oven to 400 degrees for five minutes and turn off.  Spread the paste all over the oven and leave it on for at least an hour.  Scrape the gook off with a spatula or an expired credit card.  This formula works best for light to medium cleaning.  It wont be perfect, but it will be safer than commercial sprays.  When used often, this formula will easily remove the food particles.

 Laundry Stain Remover
½ cup vinegar                                                               
½ cup ammonia                                                           
¼ cup baking soda                                                       
2 tablespoons liquid detergent                                   
2 quarts water

Mix together in a clean container with a lid.  Shake until well mixed; pour into a spray bottle.  Spray the solution on stains and let it soak in for a few minutes before washing as usual.

 Scouring Powder
½ cup baking soda                                                       
¼ cup vinegar

Mix baking soda and vinegar to the consistency of paste.  Apply to dirty surfaces and let sit for thirty minutes.  Sponge clean with water.

Fabric Softener
2 cups baking soda                                                       
1 cup white vinegar                                                       
4 cups water

Mix ingredients together and store in a plastic or glass container with a tight lid in the laundry room.  Label the container and keep out of reach of children.  To use:  Shake ingredients to mix; add ½ cup to the final rinse in your washing machine.

Window Cleaner Formula
1 tablespoon of vinegar                                               
2 cups of water                                                               
2 drops of blue food coloring, if desired

Mix together and pour into a spray bottle 

Carpet Cleaner
1 tablespoon white vinegar                                          
1 tablespoon household ammonia                               
1 quart water

Mix vinegar, ammonia and water together.  Apply the carpet cleaner to spots on the carpet with a soft rag.  Rinse with clean water and allow to dry.  Use a fan to speed drying time.

Floor cleaner
¼ cup liquid soap                                                       
½ cup vinegar                                                               
2 gallons of warm water

Mix together and use to mop hard surface floors

Vinegar in the Bathroom 

Shower Stall
Remove dirt, grime, soap build-up and hard-water stains by wiping them with a sponge damped with vinegar.  Rinse with clean water. 

Clean Fixtures
To clean the stubborn dirt and grime that accumulates at the base of bathroom fixtures, wrap toilet paper around the base of the sink or toilet, saturate with vinegar, let it sit for about 30 minutes.  Remove the paper and brush away the grime with an old toothbrush.

Remove shower door spots
Dip a sponge in vinegar and water solutions (2 cups vinegar and 1 gallon water) and use it to remove water spots on glass shower doors.  For tough stains use full strength vinegar.  Rinse with clean water. 

Clean shower door tracks 
Shower door tracks will come clean easily if you fill the tracks with vinegar and let it soak for several hours.  Pour hot water in the tracks to wash away the built up dirt and grime.  Use a brush to scrub away any tough spots.  For especially dirty tracks heat the vinegar in the microwave in a non-reactive pan before pouring into the tracks.  This will help loosen the stuck-on gunk. 

Clean hard-water spots 
If you have hard water or lime spots on the tub or sink, cover them with vinegar-soaked paper towels.  Let the vinegar soak for an hour or so, remove the towels and then scrub with a dampened plastic scrubber sprinkled with a little baking soda.  Repeat if necessary.

Clean the grout
Dip an old toothbrush in full strength vinegar and use it to scrub away the dirt on the tile grout.  It will remove tough stains without harming the grout. 

Prevent mold and mildew 
To prevent mold and mildew in the humid bathroom mix 1 teaspoons borax, 3 tablespoons vinegar  and 2 cups hot water.  Put in spray bottle and shake to mix.  Spray on tile, tyu and other mold-prone areas.  Don’t rinse – the solution will evaporate.

Bath decal removal  
To remove really stubborn bathtub decals, use full strength vinegar.  Pour the vinegar around the edges of the decal and let it soak for 30 minutes.  This should loosen them so you can pull them off.  Use a little more vinegar to clean off any stubborn sticky residue.  Rinse away the vinegar with soapy water.

Shine Faucets
To make your bathroom faucets shine, dampen a sponge or cloth with vinegar and wipe away the dull film.  Polish them with a soft, damp cloth.

Clean toilet bowls
Cleaning the toilet bowl is quick and easy when you use vinegar.  Simply pour 2 cups white vinegar in the bowl and let is soak overnight.  Flush the next morning.  If the bowl ring is particularly tough you may have to scrub the first time to remove it; but if you clean the bowl frequently with vinegar, you won’t even have to scrub!

Clean sinks and tubs
Clean the bathtub and sinks with full strength vinegar.  Simply scrub the surface with vinegar and rinse with water.  Your tub and sink will shine!

Clean shower curtains
Use full strength vinegar to wipe away soapy film, mildew or dirt build up from your shower curtain.  The easiest way to get a shower curtain really clean is to wash it in the washing machine.  Fill the washing machine with warm water and two or three dirty towels.  Add ½ cup laundry detergent and ½ cup baking soda.  Wash, using 1 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle.  Pull the shower curtain out after the rinse cycle, then let the towels continue washing and drying.  Hang the shower curtain back up immediately and the wrinkles will disappear as the curtain dries.

Cleaning Shower heads
To unclog a metal shower head, bring ½ cup of vinegar and one quart of water to a boil.  Place the shower head in the boiling solution for 10 minutes.  If you have a plastic head, soak it in equal amounts of hot but not boiling vinegar and water.

Or you may also use a small plastic bag and pour straight vinegar into it (about ½ full).  Attach it with a rubber band or tape directly to the shower head and let soak overnight.  In the morning, remove the bag and pour down sink or toilet (to reuse the product).  Then turn on the shower and use as normal.  The vinegar works slowly and dissolves the minerals from inside the head.

Clean ceramic tiles
To clean ceramic tiles, wash with a solution of ½ cup white vinegar and ½ cup ammonia, ¼ cup washing soda and one gallon of warm water.  Rinse with clean water and let dry. 

Clean and deodorize drains
Clean soap scum and water residue from tub and sink drains with ½ cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar.  This will also take away any bad odors in the drains.  Just pour the baking soda down  the drain and follow it with the vinegar, let is sit for a few minutes and flush with water.  Do this often (twice a month) to keep drains from stopping.

Open drains
You can open a stopped up sink by pouring ¼ cup baking soda down the drain, then adding ½ cup white vinegar.  Cover the drain for a few minutes, then flush with a kettle of hot boiling water.

Soften a stiff toothbrush 
Soak in hot vinegar for 30 minutes, then rinse with water.

Cleaning Tips For The Kitchen

Can opener cleaner
Clean the wheel and blade of your can opener by cleaning with a toothbrush dipped in vinegar.  Electric openers can be turned out and cleaned instantly.

Plastic food containers
Soak containers in hot soapy water with ¼ cup white vinegar added.  Let them soak for several hours or overnight.  After soaking, rinse with hot water and use a sponge to wipe away the stains.

Non-stick pan stain removal
Rub the pans with a cloth dipped in vinegar to remove the white, spotty film that minerals in the water can leave.

Refrigerator cleaner
Wipe the outside of with half vinegar and half water mixture.  Inside, wipe down the door fronts and rubber gaskets.  Inside the bins and the walls can be washed with either the same mixture or full strength vinegar.

No-wax floor cleaner
Add one cup vinegar to a bucket of war water and wash no-wax or linoleum floors.  This will not strip floors and adds a nice shine with out wax.

Cooking odor remover
Prevent cooking odors of cabbage, fish or other smelly foods by adding vinegar to the boiling water or to the fry pans while pan is still warm (food removed).  Boil 1 tablespoon of vinegar to  1 cup of water to eliminate cooling odors from the room.

Improve dishwater
By adding a few tablespoons of vinegar to the dishwater helps cut grease and makes dishes shine.

Ice cube tray cleaner
Soak plastic ice cube trays in white vinegar for several hours to remove tough stains and odors.

Thermos bottle cleaner
To clean thermos bottle, add ¼ cup vinegar and enough warm water to fill.  For tough stains, add a tablespoon of rice (which acts as a gentle abrasive) with the ninegar and water.  Shake it up and rinse.

Blender or food processor cleaner
Fill with ½ cup vinegar, ½ teaspoon liquid detergent and warm water.  Cover and turn on, then rinse and dry.

Knife sharpener
When sharpening knives, dampen the whetstone with vinegar and you’ll be able to get a sharp edge on the knife quickly.

Drain board cleaner
Pour a cup of vinegar over the board and let it soak in the sink overhight.  In the morning, rub off the stains and rinse with water.

Corning Ware cleaner
To remove food stuck or burned on Corning Ware dishes, add four parts water to one part vinegar and bring to a gentle boil.  When the water cools down you should be able to gently scrub off the food.

Broiler pan cleaner
Mix together one cup cider of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons sugar and pour over the broiler pan while it’s still hot.  After dinner the broiler pan will be a snap to wash as you do your other pans.

Stainless steel cleaner
To remove spots from your stainless steel sink or appliances, rub with a cloth dipped in full strength white vinegar.  Buff the stainless steel to a shine with a dry cloth.

Hints For Cooking With Vinegar

Try some of these vinegar cooking tips and make cooking easier and tastier.  Use inexpensive white distilled vinegar or distilled apple cider vinegar unless the recipe calls for a different type.

Red wine vinegar substitute
Simply add 2 parts vinegar with 1 part dry red wine to make a substitute for red wine vinegar

Better beans
Add two teaspoons of vinegar to the pot when cooking dried beans.  It will make them tender and easier on the digestive system, (less gas produced).

Colorful beets
Add  a little vinegar to the water when cooking beats.  It retains the color

Clear vinegar
Add ¼ teaspoon of salt to your vinegar cruet and the vinegar will stay clear.

Freshen cauliflower
Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to the water you boil or steam the cauliflower in.  This works great for cauliflower that is no longer freshly cut  - it whitens and improves it’s taste and looks.

Fresher cottage cheese
A teaspoon for vinegar added to a carton of cottage chese will keep it fresh right down to the last spoonful, without altering the flavor.

Zestier soup
Make vegetable or bean soups taste better by adding 1 teaspoon of red wine vinegar just before serving.  It gives the soups a zesty zip.

Perk up canned food
Add  a teaspoon of red wine vinegar to canned gravy, soup, or sauces.  The vinegar adds flavor and makes the canned food taste fresher. 

Freshen canned shrimp
Soak canned shrimp in a little sherry and two tablespoons of vinegar for 15 minutes for a fresher taste. Drain and/or rinse.

Fruit flavor
Sprinkle white vinegar on fresh cantaloupe or canned fruit to perk the fruit up and bring out the flavor.

Fruit dressing
Create a tasty pink dressing for fruit and fruit salad by stirring 2 tablespoons strawberry or raspberry vinegar into 1 cup plain yogurt or sour cream.

Strawberries with zip
Give ripe strawberries a sweet mouthwatering tang.  In a large bowl, gently mix 1 pint sliced strawberries with 4 tablespoons  sugar.  Let stand for 30 minutes.  Add 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and stir, serve immediately.

Lemon substitute
Vinegar can be used in placed of lemon juice unless you really need the taste of lemon.  Use ½ teaspoon vinegar for each teaspoon of lemon juice called for in a recipe. 

Firm gelatin
Adding one teaspoon of vinegar per box of gelatin used in salads and molds will help keep the gelatin to hold up in the heat of the summer.

Buttermilk substitute
Place 1 tablespoon of vinegar into a measuring cup and add milk until you have one cup.  Let sit 5 or more minutes to allow thickening or heat in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Firmer fish filets
Soak fish filets for about 20 minutes in a quart of water and 2 tablespoons vinegar

Scaling fish
Rub vinegar and allow to sit for 5 minutes before scaling fish

Flavorful fish
One tablespoon of vinegar to fried or boiled fish (or seafood) when cooking brings out the flavor.

Improve hard boiled eggs
Add two tablespoons of white vinegar per quart of water while boiling eggs.  This will prevent cracking and the shells will peel off faster and easier.

Poached Eggs
Place a drop or two of vinegar to the water while poaching eggs – it keep the white from spreading.  You can also use an empty tuna can (bottom and top removed) for the poaching ring.  Just drop the ring in a pan of boiling water and crack and egg or two inside.

Fluffy rice
To make white rice fluffy and less sticky, add one teaspoon of white distilled vinegar or rice vinegar to the boiling water.

Moist cake
Add a spoonful of vinegar to the dry ingredients of a cake mix.  You will be amazed at the difference!

Meat tenderizer
Meat fibers are broken down and tenderized by vinegar.  Less expensive lean cuts of meat can be used in most recipes without sacrificing flavor.  Soak the meat in vinegar (red wine vinegar works best) overnight; if desired, rinse off the vinegar before cooking.

Improve flavor of game
Soak in a mixture of half vinegar and half water for at least one hour before cooking.

Improve cheese longevity
Wrap cheese brick in a moist paper towel with a small amount of cider vinegar.  Store the cheese in a sealed plastic bag or airtight container. You may need to add water or a drop or two of cider vinegar to keep the towel damp.  This retains moisture and prevents molding without changing the taste.

White mashed potatoes
Adding 1 teaspoon of vinegar for each pound of potatoes keeps the potatoes white.

Unpleasant odors
Smelly foods, like fish or vegetables that gives off unpleasant odors while cooking can be improved by adding a little vinegar to the water while cooking.

Fried foods
Make fried foods taste less greasy by adding a tablespoon of vinegar to the pan or deep fryer before adding the oil.

Dish too salty?
Addd a teaspoon of cider vinegar and a teaspoon of sugar to eliminate the salty taste. 

Dish too sugary?
Add a teaspoon of cider vinegar to reduce the sweetness. 

Wine substitute
Dilute one-part vinegar to three parts of water and you have a substitute for wine.

Garlic substitute
Use garlic vinegar instead of fresh garlic in any recipe.  One teaspoon is the equivalent of a small clove of garlic. 

Seafood tenderizer
Muscle fiber in salmon, lobster, oysters and other fish is tenderized by the acid in vinegar.  Soak in vinegar for several hours or overnight.  If desired, rinse off before cooking. 

Better sweets
Add a teaspoon of vinegar to baked pies, cakes and other sweet desserts to enhance the flavor and make the texture lighter.

Shiny frosting
Add ½ teaspoon to homemade frosting to make the texture soft and creamy.  White frosting will look very white and shiny.

Keep cut produce from browning
Keep cut apples, pears and avocados and potatoes from browning by dipping them into a small bowl of water with 2 tablespoons of vinegar addid.  Or youcan simply soak the produce in vinegar water until you are ready to use them. 

Wilted vegetables
Quickly dunk wilted vegetables in hot tap water, then place them in a bowl of ice water with a tablespoon of cider of white vinegar. 

Steaming vegetables
Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to the water used for steaming vegetables.  They will retain more color and vitamins and the vinegar will eliminate any unpleasant odors.

Produce cleaner
Wash Vegetables and fruit in water with vinegar added to remove any dirt, insects, pesticides or residues.  Use three tablespoons of vinegar to a gallon of water.

Weight loss
Vinegar has been known to take the edge off of your appetite.  Sprinkle a little vinegar on prepared foods (such as meats and vegetables) or eat a simple salad with vinegar dressing.

Vinegar Tips For The Laundry
Use only distilled white vinegar for laundry recipes 

New clothes treatment
Add one cup vinegar to the wash cycle when new clothes are being machine washed.  It will help eliminate manufacturing chemicals and their odors.

Laundry brightener
Add ½ cup of vinegar to each load will clean and brighten colorful clothes. 

Color corrector
Bright colored clothes have a tendency to run, but if you immerse them in full strength white vinegar before washing your garments will not fade or run.

Clothes whitener
Add 1-1/2 cups vinegar to rinse water to brighten white laundry. 

Sock whitener
Restore dingy white socks to bright white by soaking in vinegar and hot water.  Fill a large pot half full with tap water and add 1 cup of vinegar.  Bring the water to a boil and remove from the stove.  Place socks in thehot water and let them soak until the water is cool or overnight.  Wash as usual.

Suede Cleaner
To clean and condition suede garments, wipe them with a sponge or soft cloth dipped in vinegar.  To remove grease stains from suede, rub gently with a cloth dipped in vinegar.  Brush with a suede brush when dry.

Patented leather shoe shiner
To clean and shine patent leather shoes quickly and easily, dip a sponge in vinegar and wipe the shoes clean.  Buff to a high shine with a soft dry cloth.

Shoe polisher
After your shoes are polished, buff with a few drops of vinegar and they will shine like new.

Perspiration odor eliminator
Perspiration odor and stains can be removed from clothes with vinegar.  Pour some full strength vinegar on the underarm area and collar before washing.

Smoke odor remover
Pour two cups of vinegar in a bathrub of hot water, hand the clothes above the tub and lwt the clothe4s hand for seveal hours to remove the odors.

Skunk odor remover
Soak the items in a solution of one cup vinegar to one gallon of water.  Leave the clothes in the vinegar bath for several hours.

Fabric crease and thread remover
When lengthening a hem, changing a crease or opening a seam, make a solution of equal parts vinegar and water, then use it to dampen a cloth, place over the area and press as usual.

Fabric softener
Vinegar can be used to make all your clothes soft.  Add one cup of vinegar to each wash load during the rinse cycle.

Iron cleaner
To remove dark or burned pots on the bottom of an iron, rub with a mixture of half vinegar and ½ salt then wipe off with a rag dipped in clean water.

Steam iron cleaner
To clean the inside of your steam iron, occasionally fill the water reservoir with full-strength vinegar and let it steam clean the iron.  Report the process using water then thoroughly rinse out with water.  This will keep your iron free of corrosion and calcium or lime deposits.

Silk rinse
After hand washing silk clothing in mild soap, remove residue by adding a tablespoon of vinegar to clean, cool rinse water.  Dry and press per the care instructions. 

Suds reducer
Add 1 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle followed by a clear-water rinse.

Heavy duty cleaner
Soak heavily soiled items in a bucket of warm water with one cup of vinegar.  Wash as normal.

Chewing gum remover
Vinegar removes gum from fabric, carpet and upholstery.  Pour a little full strength vinegar on the gum and let it sit for 15 minutes.  The vinegar will help loosen the gum from the fabric.

Hard to remove stains
Stains like wine, ketchup, coffee, tea, must be tackled as soon as possible.  Sponge washable cotton polyester and blends with vinegar within 24 hours.  Tough stains can be soaked in a solution of 3 parts vinegar and 1 part cool water for several hours or overnight.  Launder as usual.

Crayon remover
Moisten and old soft toothbrush with vinegar and rub crayon stains out of clothing.  Wash as usual.

Hair dye stain remover
Apply some full strength vinegar to the stains before washing.  To remove stubborn hair dye from clothing, add 2 cups vinegar to the wash cycle.

Mildew remover
Soak fabrics in a mixture of sour milk (made from one teaspoon of vinegar and 1 cup milk.  Pour the sour milk on the mildew sots andlit dry in the sun.  When dry, wash as usual and the mildew should disappear.

Deodorant stain remover
To remove deodorant stained clothing lightly rub the fabric with vinegar.  Launder as usual.

Ink stain remover
Moisten the area with vinegar, then apply a paste of vinegar and cornstarch.  Let the paste dry before washing the garment.

Barbecue sauce stain remover
Sponge stain with a solution of equal amounts of vinegar and water.  Wash in warm water until stain is removed.

Rust stain remover
Moisten washable fabric with vinegar, then rub in some salt.  Place in the sun to dry, then launder as usual.

Ring around the collar
Make a paste of  2 parts white vinegar and three parts baking soda and place on stains.  Leave on for 30 minutes and launder as usual.

Ink stain remover
Spray spot with hair spray and let dry.  Brush lightly with a solution of  half water and half vinegar.

Old stain remover
Combine three tablespoons of vinegar and two tablespoons of liquid detergent and a quart of warm water.  Work into the stain and blot dry.  Wash as usual.

Wine and cola stain remover
If you apply vinegar to wine or cola stains within 24 hours it will removethem with ease.  Simply apply white vinegar directly to stain on washable fabrics and launder as usual.

White preserver
To keep linens and other whites from yellowing during storage, add vinegar to the rinse water while laundering.

Yellow remover
Remove the yellow from whites by soaking them in a solution of twelve parts water to one part white vinegar overnight.  Wash as usual the next day.

Shrunken sweater saver
Boil a shrunken wool garment in one part vinegar and two parts water for 25 minutes.  Reshape the garment and allow to air dry.

Wrinkle remover
Spray wrinkled clothing with a mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 3 part water.  Mist evenly, shake and hang to dry.  The wrinkles come out immediately and the vinegar smell disappears in 10 minutes.

Lint eliminator
To keep lint from clinging to clothing (especially dark garments) add ½ cup of vinegar to the last rinse cycle.

Vinegar Around the House

When a cleaning job is tough enough to require a cleaner as strong as ammonia or bleach, try vinegar first.  It’s the safe, low cost alternative.  White distilled or apple cider vinegar can be used, save the good stuff for cooking.

Unclog drains
Pour a half cup of  baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar.  Wait until it foams up and rinse it down with a gallon or two of hot tap water.  Wait for about five minutes, then flush the drain with a gallon or two of cold tap water.  This helps speed up a slow drain and leaves it smelling fresh.  Do this about once a month.

Clean/deodorize urine accidents
Wash area with a solution of water and vinegar and blot dry.  Place a saucer of vinegar and set it in the room to eliminate odors.

Freshen rooms
To absorb stale, smoky odors, place a bowl of  apple cider vinegar in an out of the way p0lace.  To fragrant the room and remove odors, put ½ cup of vinegar, 2 cloves and 1 teaspoon cinnamon into a small glass jar.  Place in the microwave for 1 minutes and then place into the room.  It will absorb the odors instead of cover-up the smell like commercial air fresheners.

Clean brass, bronze and copper
Mix vinegar with baking soda or salt to make a paste.  Rub onto metal surface until tarnish is removed and rinse with water.  To keep copper pans shiny, wipe with a solution of vinegar and salt after each use.

Clean chrome and stainless steel fixtures
Spray lightly with vinegar and polish to a shine with a dry cloth.

Clean mini blinds
Put on a pair of old cotton gloves (or an old sock) and dampen the fingers in a solution of half vinegar and half hot water.  Rub your fingers over each slat removed dirt, grease and grime.

Remove ink pen marks on walls
Dab the marks with distilled white vinegar and blot frequently.

Remove candle wax
Soften wax with a warm hair dryer and remove with paper towels.  Wash the surface with a solution of half vinegar and half water to remove wax residue.

Decal remover
Apply full strength vinegar directly on top and around the edges to decals.  Allow to soak and then gently scrape off.

Cleaning silver
Soak in a solution of ½ cup vinegar and 2 tablespoons baking soda for two hours.  Rinse with water and shine with a dry cloth.

Wash windows
The BEST way to clean windows is to dip old newspapers (black and white pages only) into a solution of half vinegar and half water.  Wipe the glass with the wet newspapers until the glass is almost dry, then shine with dry newspapers or a soft cloth (like an old diaper or a thin, lint free towel).

Remove glue
Dissolve glues by applying a coating of vinegar and letting it soak for a few minutes.

Ceiling fan & grill cleaner
Wipe with full strength vinegar and cut the grease and dirt from ceiling fans or vent grills.  This will keep them clean and allow fresher air to circulate.

Crevice cleaner
Use a cotton swap dipped in vinegar to clean those hard to reach places, like between buttons of a phone or blender, sewing machine crevices or slider door tracks.

Hand cleaner
Scrub hands with a mixture of cornmeal moistened into a paste with apple cider vinegar.  Rinse with cool water and pat dry.  You will remove all of the dirt and grime and your hands will feel soft!

Clean fireplaces
Clean brick or quarry tiles around a fireplace, dip a brush in white vinegar and scrub quickly.  Use a soft towell or sponge to quckly blot up the moisture.  Rinse with clean water.

Clean fireplace glass
Remove smoke stains on glass enclosures with a solution of ½ cup vinegar in 1 gallon warm water.  Add 1 tablespoon clean ammonia.  Spray on the glass or wipe it on with a cloth.  Rinse with warm water and fry with a clean cloth.

Remove mildew
use vinegar at full strength for heavy mildew stains or mixed with water for light mildew stains.

Eliminate static
vinegar decreases static and keeps dust off plastic and vinyl surfaces.  Wipe upholstery with a cloth dampeded with a vinegar-water solution.  Add a cup of vinegar to the rinse water when laundering.

Furniture and wood vinegar tips

Wood scratches can easily be concealed with vinegar and iodine.  Simply mix equal parts in a small container and use a small brush to paint over the scratch.  For dark woods, add more iodine, for lighter woods add more vinegar.

Remove stains
Clean the area with coarse steel wood dipped in mineral spirits.  Next scrub the stain with vinegar, allowing it to penetrate for several minutes.  Repeat, if necessary and rinse with water and wax.

Remove polish buildup
Mix ½ cup vinegar with ½ cup water.  Dip a soft cloth in the solution and wring it out.  Rub the area with the damp cloth and dry immediately with another soft cloth. 

Clean vinyl upholstery
Dampen an old towel or washcloth with full strength vinegar and rub down the upholstery.  Rub the upholstery with a cloth dipped in water to remove the vinegar. This also keep vinyl from becoming hard and brittle.

Remove water rings
Combine vinegar and olive oil in equal parts to remove white rings left by wet drinking glasses.  Apply with a clean soft cloth and work the vinegar mixture into the wood in the direction of the grain to erase water rings.

Clean woodwork
Dull and cloudy wood can be clean and bright again by rubbing it with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of one tablespoon of white vinegar per quart of warm water.  Buff with a soft, dry cloth to make the wood really shine.

Polish furniture
Wipe furniture with a soft clean cloth moistened with a mixture of 2 tablespoons vinegar and 1 quart water.  This also removes cloudy film from varnished surfaces.  Rub with grain of the wood and polish with a soft dry cloth.

Clean wood floors
Using a soft cloth or mop, wipe floors with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water.

Polish leather furniture
Bring 2 cups of linseed oil to a boil and boil for 1 minute.  Cool, stir in 1 cup of vinegar.  Stir well; apply with a clean soft cloth.  Or, mix equal parts of linseed oil and vinegar, shake well, and apply with a clean soft cloth.  The polish will keep leather soft, extending the life of furniture.

Clean piano keys
Mix ½ cup vinegar to 2 cups of water and clean keys with a soft lint-free cloth dipped into the solution and wrung out until almost dry.  Wipe dry and leave the keyboard open.

Vinegar Tips For The Automobile

Bumper sticker or decal remover
Apply full strength vinegar directly on top of decal and let soak through for several minutes.  Gently scrape off.  Repeat if necessary.

Clean chrome
Pour a little full-strength vinegar on a rag and buff to a high shine.

Clean car carpet
Use a mixture of half water and half white vinegar to remove dirt and stains from car carpeting.  Simply sponge the mixture on the carpet and blot up with a towel.  This formula will also remove the salt residue left on carpets after the winter snow season.

Defrost car windows
Coat the outside of the car windows with a solution of three parts white or cider vinegar to one part water.  This will keep the windows frost-free for several months, if parking outside during cold winter months.

Clean windshields
Keep a small spray bottle full of white vinegar and some paper towels, rags or even old newspapers inside your clar to clean the grease and grime off your windshield.  Vinegar will also remove any hazy film that builds up on your windows.

Vinyl upholstery
Wipe upholstery with a soft cloth dampened with a solution of half water and half vinegar. 

Vinegar Carpet Tips 

Carpet stains
Sprinkle vinegar on soiled area, wait a few minutes, then sponge from the center out.  Blot with a dry cloth, repeat if necessary.  Alternatively, combine a small amount of liquid detergent and 3 tablespoons vinegar in 1 quart of warm water.  Sponge on soiled area until clean, rinse with a cloth dampened with warm water, then blot with a dry cloth.

Control carpet mildew
Spray white vinegar on the under side of area rugs and carpet to avoid mildew from wet spills.

Home Office Vinegar Tips

Cleaning your computer mouse
When your computer mouse gets dirty and picks up dust, it becomes hard to manipulate.  Instead of buying a special cleaner mix half vinegar and half water and use that.  Remove the ball and wipe clean with the solution.  Dry thoroughly with a soft, lint-free towel.  Dip a cotton swab into the solution and wipe inside the mouse, removing dust or dirt particles.  Use a wrung out cloth to wash the outside of the mouse.  

Clean home equipment
Dip a cloth into a mixture of ½ vinegar and ½ water and wring out.  Wash down the outside of your computer, printer and other pieces of equipment.  Never use a spray bottle for this job.  Use a cotton swab dipped in the mixture to clean the keyboard.  

Clean scissors
Wipe the blades of your scissors down frequently with a cloth dipped in full strength vinegar to keep them clean and glue free. 

Thin glue
Add a drop or two of vinegar to the old bottle of glue and shake.  Keeping adding vinegar drop by drop until the glue returns to the proper consistency.

Information was taken from publications such as, Guide to Hazardous Products Around the Home”; Tight Wad Living’s Vinegar Recipe Book"; and the various publications noted below.

"The City of Richland assumes no responsibilities or liability for effectiveness, damage or injury related to product use.  

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