13 Ways to Use Vinegar

By Lissa Coffey for DivineCaroline

When we’re good to our environment, we’re good to ourselves. We don’t need all those chemicals in the cleaning products we buy (often at a mighty high price), and the environment doesn’t need them either. Because of its acidity, white distilled vinegar is super effective at killing most mold, bacteria, and germs—plus, it’s eco-friendly.

Here are some suggestions on how to use vinegar to clean your home:
1. Shine chrome and remove lime buildup by making a paste of 2 tablespoons salt, and 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar.

2. For a natural scouring cleanser, mix 1/4 cup baking soda, 1 tablespoon liquid detergent, and just enough white vinegar to give it a thick and creamy texture.

3. Make your own window cleaner with 1/2 cup ammonia, 2 cups white vinegar, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed in a gallon of water.

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Shalvah L.

7:10AM PST on Mar 2, 2012

No. 8 is an interesting suggestion, anybody check it out?
I'm a bit hesitant using vinegar to whiten teeth since I use baking soda as toothpaste...don't want a volcano in my mouth...!

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Michael L.

7:24AM PDT on Aug 4, 2011

I use vinegar as a Glass Cleaner, I find it much better than any
petroleum based product w/o the residue...

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Akin A.

3:13AM PDT on Jul 26, 2011

interesting article! thanks

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Kayla R.

9:45PM PDT on Jul 15, 2011

I mix 1 part of Bragg's organic Apple Cider Vinegar with 4 parts of water into a bottle for a conditioning rinse. I add a stick of cinnamon and a generous amount of vanilla extract to fragrance it slightly, but I imagine other methods can be used.

I use the vinegar mixture after applying my "shampoo" of 1 part baking soda to 3 parts of water to a DRY scalp. Leave baking soda on for 1-3 minutes, then rinse completely. Apply the vinegar mixture and leave in for about a minute, and rinse... I like to rinse with cold water too!!

My hair gets so wonderfully soft and I love not having to pay 10 dollars for "natural" shampoo, that might not even really be natural.

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Anita C.

4:04PM PDT on Jul 15, 2011

Vinegar is really great for cleaning, you can find more tips here:
Small green cleaning recipes

http://onehealthycleaners.com/shownews.asp?id=238

Use vinegar for Glass Cleaner

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KrassiAWAY B.

8:51PM PDT on Jul 9, 2011

Noted with interest.

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11:07PM PDT on Jul 6, 2011

I put 1/4 cup of organic, raw, unfiltered vinegar in a glass of water and down it once a day. Shake the bottle first to distribute the valuable mother of vinegar. I always rinse
my teeth afterward.

It keeps me from gaining weight. If I pig out occasionally, I'm still ok if I don't forget my vinegar.

Too much vinegar can be harmful.

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Ina d.

1:04PM PDT on Jul 5, 2011

I love the use of vinegar too.
Like Jenny, I clean the windows with just vinegar and water.
I also clean my toothbrush with vinegar (to get most of the bacteria off), it is one of the few cleaners that is not toxic and therefor safe to use on a toothbrush.