Surprising Uses for Vinegar

SURPRISING USES FOR VINEGAR – As seen on 3TV (Good Morning Arizona), Monday, April 22, 2019 (8:45am)

Dishwasher Rinse Aid:

Instead of chemical-laden, store-bought rinse aids, fill your dishwasher’s rinse reservoir with white vinegar instead. Your dishes will sparkle for less money and fewer chemicals. It will also leave your dishwasher smelling fresh.

Remove Sticky Labels

Use a rag or paper towels to soak the sticker in white or apple cider vinegar, then use an old gift card, plastic putty knife or plate scraper to scrape the sticker away. If there’s any gunk left when you’ve got the sticker off, soak it with more vinegar for a few minutes and rub it away with a cloth or paper towels.

Revive Old Paintbrushes

Soak gunked-up nylon paint brushes in hot vinegar for up to 30 minutes to remove paint and soften the bristles. Afterwards wash them in hot soapy water brushing off paint as need, then rinse and let dry.

Clean a Dirty Thermos or Travel Mug

To get a thermos bottle clean, fill it with warm water and ¼ of white vinegar. If you see any residue add some uncooked rice, which will act as an abrasive to scrape it off. Close the container and shake well. Then rinse and let air dry. Fill travel mugs with ¼ cup white vinegar and add hot water to the top. Soak overnight and then rinse well.

Deodorize Lunch Boxes and Coolers

Does your child’s lunch container have the fragrance of week-old tuna? Try this deodorizing treatment. Wash the container well and then put a slice of white bread in a dish and soak with white vinegar. Leave it in the lunch box /cooler overnight and the smell will be gone.

Disinfect and Clean Cutting Boards

To disinfect and clean your wood cutting boards, or butcher block countertops, wipe them with full strength white vinegar after each use. The acetic acid in the vinegar is a good disinfectant and effective against such harmful bugs as e Coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus. If the board needs deodorizing too, sprinkle some baking soda over it and then spray on undiluted white vinegar. Let it foam an bubble for 5 to 10 minutes and then rinse.

Make an All-Purpose Scrub for Pots and Pans

For an effective scouring mix that costs pennies, and can be used on all of your metal cookware, try this scrub. Simply combine equal parts salt and flour and add just enough vinegar to make a paste. Work the paste around the cooking surface and outside of the pan, the rinse off with warm water and dry.