Re: [BlindHandyMan] Cleaning with Vinegar

[Betsy Whitney, Dolphin Press]

These are really great! Thanks for taking the time to forward. I have 
several handy hints. If anyone would like them, let me know. They are 
too varied to list here.
Betsy
At 10:09 AM 1/20/2008, you wrote:
>Source: http://www.vinegartips.com/cleaning/
>To shine chrome sink fixtures that have a lime buildup, use a paste 
>made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar.
>
>Make your own scouring cleanser by combining 1/4 cup baking soda 
>with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add just enough white distilled 
>vinegar to give it
>a thick but creamy texture.
>
>Clean counter tops and make them smell sweet again with a cloth 
>soaked in undiluted white distilled vinegar.
>
>Clean and deodorize a drain by pouring in 1 cup baking soda, then 
>one cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let this sit for 5 minutes or 
>so then run hot water
>down the drain.
>
>Deodorize the garbage disposal by pouring in 1/2 cup baking soda and 
>1/2 cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes then run 
>hot water down
>the disposal.
>
>Deodorize and clean the garbage disposal with white distilled 
>vinegar ice cubes. Make them by freezing full-strength white 
>distilled vinegar in an ice cube
>tray. Run several cubes down the disposal while flushing with cold water.
>
>Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 
>1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil 
>inside the microwave.
>Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.
>
>Clean the shelves and walls of the refrigerator with a half-and-half 
>solution of water and white distilled vinegar.
>
>Cut the grime on the top of the refrigerator with a paper towel or 
>cloth and full-strength white distilled vinegar.
>
>Avoid the bad smell when you heat up a newly cleaned oven by using a 
>sponge soaked in diluted white distilled vinegar for the final rinse.
>
>To clean a grease splattered oven door window, saturate it with 
>full-strength white distilled vinegar. Keep the door open for 10 to 
>15 minutes before wiping
>with a sponge.
>
>Remove soap buildup and odors from the dishwasher by pouring a cup 
>of white distilled vinegar inside the empty machine and running it 
>through a whole cycle.
>Do monthly.
>
>To prevent good glassware from getting etched by minerals, wash then 
>spray with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Give the glasses a 
>hot water rinse
>before letting them dry or drying them with a towel.
>
>For cloudy glassware, soak paper towels or a cloth in full-strength 
>white distilled vinegar and wrap around the inside and outside of 
>the glass. Let sit
>awhile before rinsing clean.
>
>Get rid of lime deposits in a tea kettle by adding 1/2 cup white 
>distilled vinegar to the water and letting it sit overnight. If more 
>drastic action is
>needed, boil full-strength white distilled vinegar in the kettle a 
>few minutes, let cool and rinse with plain water.
>
>Remove mineral deposits from coffee makers with white distilled 
>vinegar. Fill the water reservoir with 1 cup or more of white 
>distilled vinegar and run
>it through a whole cycle. Run it once or twice more with plain water 
>to rinse clean. (Check the owners' manual first.)
>
>Remove stains from coffee and teacups by scrubbing them gently with 
>equal parts of salt (or baking soda) and white distilled vinegar. Rinse clean.
>
>For stained and smelly plastic food containers, wipe them with a 
>cloth dampened with white distilled vinegar.
>
>Remove odors from a lunch box by placing inside a slice of bread 
>that has been soaked in white distilled vinegar. Leave overnight.
>
>Remove ugly film in narrow-necked glass jars, flower vases, and 
>bottles by letting undiluted white distilled vinegar sit in them for 
>a few hours. Add a
>little rice or sand and shake vigorously to loosen stubborn stains. 
>Repeat if necessary.
>
>To clean tarnished brass, copper, and pewter, use a paste with equal 
>amounts of white distilled vinegar and table salt.
>
>Make a metal cleanser by adding enough white distilled vinegar to 2 
>tablespoons of cream of tartar to make a paste. Rub it on and let it 
>dry on the surface.
>Wash it off and dry with a soft cloth.
>
>Polish brass and copper with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of ketchup 
>and 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar. Rub it on with a clean 
>cloth until dry and
>shiny.
>
>Remove dark stains on an aluminum pot by boiling a mixture of 1 cup 
>white distilled vinegar and 1 cup hot water.
>
>Discourage ants by spraying undiluted white distilled vinegar 
>outside doorways and windowsills, around appliances and wherever you 
>find the pests coming
>in.
>
>Get rid of fruit flies by setting out a small dish of undiluted 
>white distilled vinegar.
>
>Clean the wheel of a can opener using white distilled vinegar and an 
>old toothbrush.
>
>Remove the smell of spoiled food from a refrigerator by first 
>rinsing the area with soap and water. Spray surfaces with 
>full-strength white distilled vinegar
>and wipe them down with a damp cloth or sponge. Fill some containers 
>with baking soda and place inside. Close the door and leave for a few days.
>
>Wipe grease off exhaust fan grids, the inside of your oven, or 
>anywhere grease gathers with a sponge soaked in white distilled vinegar.
>
>To make cleaning the grill easier, spray a solution of half water 
>and half white distilled vinegar on the cooking surface.
>
>To remove a label, decal, or price tag, cover with a cloth soaked in 
>white distilled vinegar. Leave the cloth on overnight and the label 
>should slide off.
>
>Renew sponges and dishrags by placing them in just enough water to 
>cover them. Then add 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar. Let them soak overnight.
>
>Get rid of calcium deposits on faucets by soaking a cloth or paper 
>towel in white distilled vinegar and wrapping the area tightly. Let 
>this sit for a couple
>of hours or overnight.
>
>Remove soap buildup from faucets by scrubbing them with a solution 
>of 1 part salt to 4 parts white distilled vinegar.
>
>Rid a faucet of lime deposits by tying a plastic bag containing 1/2 
>to 1/3 cup of white distilled vinegar around it and leaving it there 
>for two or three
>hours. If mineral deposits don't wipe off, scrubbing with an old 
>toothbrush should complete the job.
>
>Shine colored porcelain sinks by scouring them with undiluted white 
>distilled vinegar.
>
>Rinse away soapy film on countertops with a solution of white 
>distilled vinegar and water.
>
>Clean grout by letting full-strength white distilled vinegar sit on 
>it for a few minutes and scrubbing it with an old toothbrush.
>
>Kill germs all around the bathroom with a spray of full-strength 
>white distilled vinegar. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
>
>To remove grime, mildew, and scum from the tub, tile, shower curtain 
>or door, wipe with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Rinse with water.
>
>Spray shower doors with full-strength white distilled vinegar after 
>you've squeegeed the glass, or before you step in and turn on the 
>water. It will help
>release the hard water deposits so they don't remain on the glass.
>
>Mix up an inexpensive tile cleaner by adding 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 
>cup white distilled vinegar, and 1 cup ammonia to a gallon of warm water.
>
>Get rid of stubborn bathtub film by wiping it with white distilled 
>vinegar and then scouring with baking soda.
>
>Soak a sponge or loofah overnight in a strong white distilled 
>vinegar and water solution to remove dirt and slime. Rinse several 
>times with cold water and
>let air dry (in the sun if possible).
>
>Clean shower door tracks by filling them with white distilled 
>vinegar and letting it sit for a few hours. Pour hot water into the 
>tracks and wash and scrub
>away the scum with a toothbrush.
>
>To clean a scummy showerhead, pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup 
>white distilled vinegar into a sandwich bag and tie it around the 
>showerhead. Let this
>set for an hour after the bubbling has stopped. Remove the bag and 
>then turn on the water.
>
>Deodorize the toilet bowl by allowing 3 cups white distilled vinegar 
>to sit in it for about a half hour before flushing.
>
>To make the toilet bowl sparkle, pour in a cup or more of diluted 
>white distilled vinegar and let it sit several hours or overnight. 
>Scrub well with the
>toilet brush and flush.
>
>Freshen air in the bathroom by spraying into the air a solution of 1 
>teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar, and 1 cup water.
>
>Get a shining finish on a no-wax vinyl or linoleum floor by cleaning 
>it with a solution of one cup white distilled vinegar for every 
>gallon of water.
>
>Apply full-strength white distilled vinegar directly to tough 
>linoleum stains. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping it 
>up. If that doesn't work,
>apply white distilled vinegar again and then sprinkle some baking 
>soda over the white distilled vinegar. Scrub the area with a brush 
>or sponge. Rinse clean
>with water.
>
>For an economical and environmentally friendly floor cleaner, mix a 
>solution of 3 drops dishwashing liquid to 1/3 part white distilled 
>vinegar, 1/3 part
>alcohol, and 1/3 part water. Spray sparingly and mop for a fast clean-up.
>
>Some carpet stains can be removed with a paste of 2 tablespoons 
>white distilled vinegar and 1/4 cup salt or baking soda. Rub into 
>the carpet stain and let
>dry. Vacuum up the residue the next day. (Always test on an 
>out-of-sight part of the carpet first).
>
>Bring out the color in carpet by brushing it with a solution of 1 
>cup white distilled vinegar for every gallon of water. (Always test 
>on an out-of-sight
>part of the carpet beforehand).
>
>To reduce soap bubbles in a steam cleaner add about 1/4 cup white 
>distilled vinegar. Use the same amount in the rinse water to remove 
>detergent residue
>and make carpets stay fresh longer.
>
>Wash indoor/outdoor carpet with a solution of 1 cup white distilled 
>vinegar in 1 bucket of warm water. Scrub using a brush or a broom 
>and then hose off.
>
>Clean up pet accidents by first blotting up the area and then adding 
>a white distilled vinegar-and-water solution. Blot until it is 
>almost dry. Then sprinkle
>baking soda over the area and let it dry. Vacuum up the residue the next day.
>
>Create your own window cleaning solution by combining 1/2 cup 
>non-sudsy ammonia, 1 cup white distilled vinegar, and 2 tablespoons 
>cornstarch in a gallon
>of water.
>
>Remove the wax residue left by commercial window cleaners with a 
>solution of 2 cups water, 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 
>teaspoon of liquid soap or
>detergent.
>
>To remove paint from windows try using undiluted, hot white 
>distilled vinegar. Give the solution time to soften the paint before 
>removing with a razor edge
>tool.
>
>To remove paint splatters from windows apply full-strength white 
>distilled vinegar with a clean paintbrush.
>
>Get rid of mildew, dust, and stale odors by wiping down walls with 
>undiluted white distilled vinegar on a cloth or a sponge mop.
>
>Clean woodwork and walls with a mixture of 1 cup white distilled 
>vinegar, 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup ammonia and 1 gallon warm water. 
>Wipe on with a sponge
>or damp-not wet-towel.
>
>Clean wood paneling with a solution of 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup 
>white distilled vinegar, and 2 cups warm water. Wipe on with a soft cloth.
>
>Remove wallpaper easily by using a paint roller to wet the surface 
>very thoroughly with a solution of equal parts white distilled 
>vinegar and hot water.
>Or spray on until saturated.
>
>Get decals off walls or doors by letting undiluted white distilled 
>vinegar soak into them for several minutes before trying to peel 
>them off. Repeat if
>necessary.
>
>Remove white water rings from wood with a solution of equal parts 
>white distilled vinegar and vegetable oil. Rub with the grain.
>
>Remove fireplace soot and grime with undiluted white distilled 
>vinegar. Use a brush to scrub and a towel to blot up the wetness and dirt.
>
>Clean fireplace glass doors with a solution of 1 part white 
>distilled vinegar to 2 parts water. Spray or wipe on, then wipe 
>clean with a dry cloth.
>
>To kill germs, spray full-strength white distilled vinegar on 
>doorknobs and then wipe them dry.
>
>Remove the smell of a dead mouse or other rodent (after removing all 
>animal remnants) by wiping down the area with either white distilled 
>vinegar or bleach.
>Then place a fabric softener sheet in the area to remove any lingering odors.
>
>Never use white distilled vinegar on marble. The acid can damage the surface.
>
>Before painting old concrete, clean with full-strength white 
>distilled vinegar. Let it air dry.
>
>Clean hardened paint brushes by simmering them in a pot with white 
>distilled vinegar. Soak them first for an hour before bringing the 
>white distilled vinegar
>to a simmer. Drain and rinse clean.
>
>Remove mud and stains from plastic, fiberglass, or aluminum sports 
>equipment by applying a paste of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 3 
>parts baking soda.
>Wipe off with soapy water and rinse with clear water.
>
>Clean your grill by spritzing white distilled vinegar over wadded up 
>aluminum foil and scrubbing the grill vigorously with it.
>
>To remove film in glass baby bottles, fill with equal parts hot 
>water and white distilled vinegar. Let sit for at least an hour. 
>Scrub with a bottle brush.
>
>To clean and disinfect baby toys add a good-sized splash of white 
>distilled vinegar to soapy water.
>
>Clean vinyl baby books or board books by wiping with white distilled 
>vinegar. Wipe clean with a damp sponge or cloth.
>
>Clean scissors that have become sticky (after cutting tape, for 
>instance) with a cloth dipped in undiluted white distilled vinegar.
>
>Clean and deodorize urine on a mattress with a white distilled 
>vinegar and water solution. Then sprinkle the area with baking soda 
>and let dry. Brush or
>vacuum the residue after it is dry to the touch.
>
>Shine pennies by soaking them for a couple of hours or overnight in 
>a glass or bowl of undiluted white distilled vinegar.
>
>
>
>
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