Vinegar Uses

IN THE KITCHEN:

Vinegar is known as the "kitchen's magician" because of its countless uses. Following are a few ideas on how to use it:

• Add a teaspoonful of vinegar when cooking rice to make it whiter and help it break better.
• To clean the chicken before cooking, quickly rinse it with vinegar and water.
• Add vinegar to the water to lessen strong smells produced when boiling cabbage.
• Soak vegetables that have been stored in the refrigerator with cold water and a little vinegar to make them crisp again.
• Add a teaspoonful of wine vinegar to sauces and soups to improve its taste and freshness.
• Rinse shrimp in a solution of water and vinegar to lessen its smell.
• Spray the cantaloupe or canned fruit salads with a little vinegar to enhance its taste.

AS A HOUSEHOLD CLEANING ITEM:

• Add ½ cup of white vinegar to the sink plumbing to keep it clean.
• To remove rust from bathroom faucets, soak faucets in a solution of water and vinegar all night.
• To bring the shine back to chrome and stainless steel silverware, clean them with a rag lightly soaked with vinegar.
• Lightly soak a rag with white vinegar to clean the oven and avoid the grease build-up.
• To clean any disinfectant residue or mildew in bathrooms, clean them with water and vinegar.
• To bring shine back to countertops, clean them with a rag lightly soaked in water and vinegar.
• To lighten carpet colors, brush with a solution of a cup of white vinegar diluted in a gallon of water.
• Wash bathroom curtains with a towel in the washing machine and add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
• Wipe air ducts and fans with white vinegar to keep dust away.
• Add vinegar and shake glass bottles for a few seconds to eliminate soap residue.

PERSONAL CARE/HYGIENE AND CLOTHING:

• Remove smoke and paint smell from closed areas by placing several containers with vinegar around the room.
• To rinse baby clothing, add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. The vinegar eliminates the uric acid and soap residue from the baby's clothing.
• Use a little vinegar to soften hands that have been exposed to strong detergents.
• To remove stains from sodas, wine, and ketchup from cotton-based clothing, apply pure white vinegar to the affected area before 24 hours. Rub until the stain disappears and then wash and dry.