WHAT’S IN THE PANTRY ?

One of the most common ingredients in the kitchen is vinegar, whether it be apple cider vinegar or white distilled vinegar.  While cooking with vinegar is the main purpose to have this in the pantry or the cupboard, there are many other uses for this acidic ingredient: a household cleaner and disinfectant is one.

Most of us are aware that the chemicals used to manufacture household cleaners are detrimental to anyone’s health, and they can be expensive. Here is where the vinegar takes center stage.  

• White vinegar, which has been distilled with water to 5% acidity, can be used to clean the toilet. Used full strength, the acidic action will clean away all traces of residue in that toilet bowl. Let it sit in the bowl for a few minutes as it mixes with the toilet bowl water to let the acidic action work. You can then use the toilet bowl brush.  The vinegar does the real work, and it is a natural disinfectant. Also, it is safe for the mechanisms in the tank.  Buy vinegar by the gallon to save money.  Watch for sales in the grocery stores that offer buy one get one free. I have taken advantage of these sales to add extras for the sole purpose of using vinegar as an ingredient in my household cleaning solutions.

• Drains, Clogged drains.  Drain pains, everyone has had a run-in with clogged drains at one time or another and know the aggravation.  Now, if the situation involves an object getting caught in the drain, then you may need to call a plumber, or do-it-yourself, open up the pipes below. If the drain seem to be slow running or just clogged, try this and see if the drain opens up. Put a tablespoon of baking soda down the drain, then pour a cup of white vinegar in after the baking soda.  It will fizz down in the drain. Wait until you do not hear any more fizzing. This may take 5 minutes or more.  Then, pour lots of boiling water or run the hot water down the drain. Let the water run for a few minutes.  Depending on what caused the clog ( soap scum, hair,) this solution may clear the drain.  You may need to do it again, but wait a few minutes in case there is backup. Using this method and a plugger may do the job.  Try it.

• Stain remover, especially pet stains and odors.  Use white vinegar directly on the stain and dab it with a damp paper towel. The vinegar will eliminate the odor, disinfect, and help remove the stain until a thorough cleaning can be done. This is a good solution for treating a carpet stain before you vacuum.

• Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…  to get streak free, clean mirrors, mix 50% white vinegar and 50% water in a spray bottle.  Use a soft cloth or squeegee to remove excess solution.  Mirrors seem to sparkle.  

• Windows, This very same solution can be used to wash windows on the inside. They will be streak free.  Use 50-50 vinegar and water solution to wash the windows, then use a squeegee or old newspapers to wipe them dry.  Newspapers must be at least 2 weeks old so that the ink will not rub off onto the windows. Streak free.

• Glass table tops, Use the same vinegar and water solution and the old newspapers to clean glass table tops so they are streak free.  Spray it on, wipe it off.

• Counter Tops.  Because the kitchen is where food is prepared, it is important that the counter tops and cutting boards be free of bacteria as much as possible.  The same vinegar and water solution, 50% to 50%, can be used to wipe down the counter and cutting boards.

Warning:  Do not use vinegar in any way on granite counter tops because the acid in vinegar will damage the finish of the granite. This is fact. I was told this by my kitchen counter installer.

• That being said, wooden cutting boards, and ceramics can be disinfected with a solution of vinegar and water.  Spray on the solution and wipe it down.  
• Hard water stains or residue, This battle is constantly fought by those who live in areas where the water is hard. Mineral deposits on shower heads and on faucets can be removed by using a solution of 50% vinegar and 50% water. Consult the care and maintenance instructions for your faucets and shower head to see if this cleaning solution is ok to use.  There are many finishes available for bath  fixtures, so you want to be careful with the  solutions used for cleaning. Cleaning the aerator in vinegar and water is usually ok. 
• Coffee Pots,  Vinegar can remove the oily build up inside a coffee pot or percolator.

Pour 1/4 cup of vinegar into the pot and add water to the highest level indicator You can let the solution sit for about 30 minutes and pour out the mixture and wash the inside of the pot with soapy water.  Because I like to save time, I do not let it sit for 30 minutes. I add the vinegar and water solution and let it percolate.  I then rinse the pot out. This saves time and cleans the pot. Washing with soapy water afterwards is optional.

                                                                                                    

                                                                         Hope this was helpful, goodtips