Ordinary white vinegar is miraculous; it can be substituted for more expensive commercial products and used in many different ways in our homes, laundries and kitchens
Our grandmothers knew that vinegar, that centuries old staple of the store cupboard, can be used in many ways other than the obvious ones such as cooking or pickling.
A rinse aid in your washing machine:
A teaspoon of vinegar in the final rinse cycle of your washing machine will neutralize any residue of soap powder and leave clothes and household linen fresh.
It is especially good when used as a final rinse for silk blouses, leaving them with a crisper feel and more body to the fabric. Our mother's hair ribbons were treated to a vinegar rinse as this made their bows sit up stiffly.
A dry cleaner
If you don't have time (or have forgotten) to take your favorite jacket, blouse or skirt to the dry cleaner don't despair. Simply dissolve a dessert spoon of vinegar in a cup of water and use it to dab off the stain.
A cleaning aid:
- Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda then spray on white vinegar. The two will fizz away in a chemical reaction and all you have to do is wipe the surface clean with a cloth rinsed in hot water. Kids love to help with this as they enjoy the fizz and don't even notice they are having an elementary chemistry lesson.
- Mop your wooden floors with a half cup of vinegar in a bucket of water. The shine will astonish you.
- Clean grimy windows with a cupful of vinegar to a bucket of water. Rub dry with a soft cloth and congratulate yourself on not only saving money but also being kind to the environment by not using chemicals.
- Use white vinegar well diluted in water to clean the marble tiles in your bathroom. (Never use the vinegar undiluted as marble is porous and could be damaged).
- Freshen up your dishwasher and take away its bad breath by running it empty with bicarbonate of soda in the soap compartment and white vinegar in the rinse compartment
A Beauty aid:
A few drops in the final rinse when you wash your hair will leave your locks shining and manageable If the scent of vinegar bothers you add several sprigs of thyme or rosemary to the rinsing water.
