In our last column, we described the cleaning wonders of baking soda. Distilled white vinegar is another natural, inexpensive cleanser. Because of its acidity it can kill most mold, bacteria, and germs.

 

By The Conservation Committee of the Rye Garden Club

 

In our last column, we described the cleaning wonders of baking soda. Distilled white vinegar is another natural, inexpensive cleanser. Because of its acidity it can kill most mold, bacteria, and germs.

 

Try the tricks below using a cloth or spray bottle, instead of chemically-based commercial products, for a safer, healthier, and cleaner home.

 

Use a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water to clean:

 

Microwaves – Bring the solution to a boil in your microwave. Bad odors will be absorbed and baked on food loosened. Wipe clean.

 

Counters (Non-Marble), Refrigerator Shelves, Ovens, Mini Blinds – Moisten a cloth with solution and wipe clean

 

Grills – Spray on the cooking surface to loosen cooked-on food before scrubbing.

 

Absorb Bad Odors

 

Lunchboxes – Soak a piece of bread in vinegar. Place it in the lunchbox overnight to remove bad smells.

 

Toilets – Put 3 cups vinegar in the bowl for a ½ hour before flushing.

 

Freshen Air – Absorb bad smells by spraying into the air a mix of 1 T. vinegar, 1 T. baking soda, and 1 cup water, or let a bowl of vinegar sit on the counter or floor in a room to soak up odors.

 

Deter Bugs

 

Keep Fruit Flies Away – Place a little bowl of vinegar on your counter near your fruit bowl.

 

Discourage Ants – Spray vinegar outside doors or windows or anywhere you see ants.

 

Remove labels and decals by soaking a cloth in white vinegar, then leaving on the sticky label overnight. In the morning, the label will slide off.

 

Make a brass and copper polish by combining 2 T. ketchup with 1 T. white vinegar. Rub with a cloth until the surface is shiny and dry.

 

Remove minerals from your coffeemaker by running vinegar through the cycle. Run the cycle once more with water.

 

Remove minerals from your teakettle by letting ½ cup vinegar and water sit in the kettle overnight.

 

Remove 98 percent of bacteria from produce by spraying a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. Then rinse with cold water.