(Prosperity)

Like lemons, the acid in vinegar has many uses.  It’s a natural disinfectant, stain remover and reduces mineral and lime deposits, making it a great stand in for ammonia-based cleaners. “People don’t realize,” says Kaye, “that vinegar kills as many germs as chlorine bleach.”  White distilled vinegar gives the best results (plus, it’s the cheapest). Vinegar is safe to use on most surfaces, except for marble and stone. And don't worry about the smell, it disappears when it dries. Try for vinegar in any of the following situations:

• Get rid of fruit flies: Set out a small dish of undiluted white distilled vinegar.
• Clean Your Dishwasher: Run a cup of vinegar inside the empty machine monthly.
• Remove sticky labels and tags: Soak a cloth in white vinegar and cover overnight. Peel off in the morning with no problem.
• Remove water rings from wood: Use equal parts white distilled vinegar and vegetable oil. Rub with the grain.
• Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops: Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Vinegar will also eat away the soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile.
• Cleaning Glass: Mix 2 to 3 tbsps of vinegar with three liters of warm water and wipe. Dry the surface with crumpled newspaper for sparkling results.  Let vinegar diluted in water sit in a dirty vase or decanter to make it look like new.
• Cleaning Ovens: Mix equal parts vinegar and water and wash away. Clean microwaves by heating a bowl with vinegar and water, then wiping down the sides of the microwave.  You can wipe out the refrigerator with the same mixture (no need to boil).
• Clean Grease Off An Oven Window: Soak the window with full-strength vinegar. Keep the door open for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping with a sponge.
• Clean Your Dishwasher: Run a cup of vinegar inside the empty machine monthly.
• Disinfect rags and sponges:  Let them soak overnight in just enough water to cover them, mixed with ¼ cup vinegar.
• Cleaning tea and coffee stains:

  1. From a tea kettle: Add1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the water and set overnightFor stronger stains boil full-strength white distilled vinegar in the kettle a few minutes, and rinse with cool water when cooled.
  2. From coffee makers: Fill the water reservoir with 1 cup of white distilled vinegar and run it through a cycle. Run it once or twice more with plain water to rinse clean. (Check the owners’ manual first.)
  3. From coffee and teacups: Scrub gently with equal parts of salt (or baking soda) and white distilled vinegar.
• Clean floors:

  1. For vinyl, laminate or ceramic: Mix 8 tablespoons of vinegar into a bucket of hot water.  Mop and then enjoy the shine.  Add lemon juice for an extra clean smell.
  2. Remove carpet stains: Mix equal parts vinegar and water (you won’t need a lot).  Blot with paper towel or cloth until the moisture is absorbed
• Finally, if you’ve got the free time – soak pennies overnight in vinegar.  They’ll shine like, well, new pennies.

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