Floors
- No-wax floors: To wash no-wax floors, add ½ cup of white distilled vinegar to a half-gallon of warm
water.
- Carpet stain removal: A mixture of 1 teaspoon of liquid detergent and 1 teaspoon of white distilled
vinegar in a pint of lukewarm water will remove non-oily stains from carpets. Apply it to the stain with a soft brush or towel and rub gently. Rinse with a towel moistened with clean water and blot
dry. Repeat this procedure until the stain is gone. Then dry quickly, using a fan or hair dryer. This should be done as soon as the stain is discovered
Windows and Walls
- Streakless windows: Simply wash with a mixture of equal parts of white distilled vinegar and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth.
This solution will make your windows gleam and will not leave the usual film or streaks on the glass.
- Washing woodwork: You can ease the job of washing painted walls, woodwork and Venetian blinds by using a mixture of 1 cup ammonia, ½ cup
white distilled or cider vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda with 1 gallon of warm water. Wipe this solution over walls or blinds with a sponge or cloth and rinse with clear water. Dirt and grime comes off
easily and the solution will not dull the painted finish or leave streaks.
- Water or alcohol marks on wood:Stubborn rings resulting from wet glasses being placed on wood furniture may be removed by rubbing with a
mixture of equal parts of white distilled vinegar and olive oil. Rub with the grain and polish for the best results.
Kitchen
- Garbage disposal cleaner: Garbage disposals may be kept clean and odor free with vinegar cubes. Vinegar cubes are made by filling an ice
tray with a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar and enough water to fill the ice tray and then freezing it. Run the mixture through the disposal, and then flush it with cold water for a minute or
so.
- Coffee maker cleaner (automatic): White distilled vinegar can help to dissolve mineral deposits that collect in automatic drip coffee
makers from hard water. Fill the reservoir with white distilled vinegar and run it through a brewing cycle. Rinse thoroughly with water when the cycle is finished. (Be sure to check the owner’s
manual for specific instructions.)
- Clean the microwave: Boil a solution of 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. Will loosen splattered on
food and deodorize.
- Deodorize the kitchen drain:Pour a cup of white distilled vinegar down the drain once a week. Let stand 30 minutes and then flush with cold
water.
- Clean the refrigerator: Wash with a solution of equal parts water and white distilled vinegar.
- Clean and disinfect wood cutting boards: Wipe with full strength white distilled vinegar.
- Brass polish: Brass, copper and pewter will shine if cleaned with the following mixture. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of white
distilled vinegar and stir in flour until it becomes a paste. Apply paste to the metals and let it stand for about 15 minutes. Rinse with clean warm water and polish until dry.
- Ant deterrent: Ant invasions can sometimes be deterred by washing counter tops, cabinets and floors with white distilled
vinegar.
- Getting Rid of Fruit Flies/Gnats in Your Kitchen: Place a bowl filled with ½ quart water, 2 Tbsp. sugar, 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar and
a couple of drops of dish soap to attract the fruit flies. Always eliminate the source of attraction, i.e., ripened produce.
- Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances Apply vinegar with a soft cloth to remove streaks from stainless steel appliances. Try in an
inconspicuous place first.
- Cleaner Dishes and Glasses: Pour 1 ½ cup to 2 cups white distilled vinegar in the bottom of dishwasher, along with regular dishwasher
soap. Wash full cycle.
- Remove Refrigerator Smells Place 1 cup apple cider vinegar in a glass and set in refrigerator. Within 2 days, any smell is
gone!
Bathroom
- Bathtub film:Bathtub film can be removed by wiping with white distilled vinegar and then with soda. Rinse clean with
water.
- Shower doors: Rub down shower doors with a sponge soaked in white distilled vinegar to remove soap residue.
- Toilet bowl cleaner: Stubborn stains can be removed from the toilet by spraying them with white distilled vinegar and brushing vigorously. The
bowl may be deodorized by adding 3 cups of white distilled vinegar. Allow it to remain for a half hour, then flush.
- Unclog the showerhead: Corrosion may be removed from showerheads or faucets by soaking them in white distilled vinegar overnight. This
may be easily accomplished by saturating a terry cloth towel in vinegar and wrapping it around the showerhead or faucet.
*The uses and tips above came from a variety of sources.
DCBB is not endorsing these tips/helpful hints.