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Unexpected Ways to Use Vinegar in the Home and for Health

You probably have a bottle of vinegar in your cupboard right now. All-purpose cleaners are convenient because they can be used on a wide variety of surfaces. But even though they are effective, some of these cleaners are not entirely safe for health or the environment.

Vinegar, on the other hand, is non-toxic and eco-friendly, making it the perfect all-purpose cleaner. And best of all, it’s super cheap. Keep reading to learn what types of vinegar to use, as well as nine ways to use vinegar to clean and disinfect your home.

Benefits of vinegar as a household cleaner

You probably have a bottle of vinegar in your cabinet right now. But, like many others, you can only use vinegar as a salad dressing or as a marinade for vegetables, meat, poultry, or fish. However, vinegar is useful not only for cooking. It is also an excellent detergent and disinfectant, as it is made from acetic acid.

Acetic acid is a colorless organic compound that gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent odor. It is also a component of some household cleaners sold in the store. The acidic nature of vinegar is so strong that it can dissolve mineral deposits, dirt, grease, and grime. It is also strong enough to kill bacteria.

Different types of vinegar include:

  • apple cider vinegar
  • white distilled vinegar
  • balsamic vinegar
  • red or white wine vinegar

The best type of vinegar to use

White distilled vinegar is the best vinegar for cleaning because it does not contain coloring. Therefore, it does not stain surfaces. When cleaning with darker-colored vinegar, stains may appear.

In addition, distilled white vinegar has about 5% acidity, which is also similar to the acidity of many all-purpose cleaners.

About that vinegar smell

The strong odor of white vinegar can be unpleasant, and in this case, you can use apple cider vinegar. It has the same cleaning properties as white distilled vinegar, but because it is made by fermenting apple juice, it also has a slightly sweet odor.

Apple cider vinegar is darker in color, so dilute it in water before using it as a cleaning agent. If you use vinegar as a cleaning agent, the odor can last for about an hour. However, this can be a small price to pay for a non-toxic, natural and environmentally friendly cleaner.

You can mask the smell by adding a few drops of essential oil, such as lemon oil, lavender oil, or peppermint oil, to a spray bottle containing an aqueous vinegar solution. Or open a window and let fresh air in to remove the odor faster. Here are some examples of how to use vinegar at home.

Glasses

Use vinegar to make your own glass cleaner. Mix one part water with two parts vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto glass surfaces and wipe to remove any streaks.

Countertops

Since vinegar is a natural disinfectant, it can clean and disinfect countertops after cooking. To remove stubborn stains, add a few drops of soap to one part water and two parts vinegar.

Vinegar also removes odors from countertops, but it should not be used on granite or marble. Instead, use a natural stone cleaner. The acid in vinegar can reduce the shine of the natural stone. Vinegar can also repel ants, which can scurry around the countertop at night looking for food scraps.

Mixer

Mix 2 teaspoons of vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt to remove calcium deposits on faucets and fixtures. This solution can also remove hard water stains from the shower head. To get rid of stubborn stains, spray the fixtures and faucets with vinegar and then tie a bag around it overnight. The next morning, scrub and rinse.

Showers and bathtubs

Thick soap scum and mold are difficult to remove. Spray undiluted white vinegar on the walls of the bathtub and shower. Leave the vinegar on for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse. Or mix baking soda and vinegar to form a paste and remove stubborn dirt.

Toilet

Pour 2-3 cups of undiluted vinegar into the toilet bowl and leave for 3 hours. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush. This helps remove rings around the toilet bowl and deodorizes the toilet bowl.

Sex

Vinegar is also an excellent floor cleaner, but only for certain types of floors. Don’t use vinegar to clean hardwood floors because it can dissolve the finish and leave watermarks. The natural acid in vinegar can also damage natural stone floors. However, you can use vinegar for wax-free linoleum.

Dishwasher

To remove soap scum in the dishwasher, add 1 cup of vinegar to the rinse compartment and let the dishwasher run the entire cycle.

Appliances

To get rid of odor in the microwave, place a bowl of 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 cup water in the microwave and heat it for a couple of minutes. This solution can also remove stubborn stains.

Vinegar is also great for cleaning indoor and outdoor appliances, including stainless steel. Mix equal parts Negar and water in a spray bottle, then spray the appliances.

Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe off the solution. Do not use abrasive sponges, as they may scratch the surface of the appliances.

Laundry

Distilled white vinegar is also great for removing odors and stains from fabrics. Do not use dark vinegar or you may stain your clothes. Add 1 cup of vinegar to the wash cycle.

Can vinegar improve digestion?

But while vinegar is a great household cleaner, can it help your internal digestive system? Vinegar – or, more specifically, apple cider vinegar – is touted as a natural remedy for digestive problems, although there are no rigorous studies or scientific research to back up these claims.

Can relieve bloating

However, it is quite possible that apple cider can improve digestive problems, given how it can increase the acidity levels in the stomach. This can help alleviate symptoms such as bloating, which sometimes occurs due to low stomach acid levels.

Can fight acid reflux

Apple cider vinegar can also help fight acid reflux. It is believed that vinegar can balance the pH level in the stomach, which not only helps neutralize the acid in the stomach but also prevents the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the intestines. It can help reduce intestinal inflammation.

Can remove toxins from the body

Another alleged benefit of apple cider vinegar is its ability to remove toxins from the body. Some people use it as a natural detoxifier, as well as a constipation remedy and weight loss aid. Dilute with water and drink only 1 glass per day.

The only way to know if apple cider vinegar can improve your digestion is to try it and then see how you feel. Mix 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a large glass of water and drink. Use organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar and drink only one glass a day. Floating sediment is normal. It is called mother. Too much apple cider vinegar can damage tooth enamel.

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Written by Emma Miller

I am a registered dietitian nutritionist and own a private nutrition practice, where I provide one-on-one nutritional counseling to patients. I specialize in chronic disease prevention/ management, vegan/ vegetarian nutrition, pre-natal/ postpartum nutrition, wellness coaching, medical nutrition therapy, and weight management.

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