Cheap cure-all: 66 reasons to keep vinegar on hand
Posted
Mar 14 2008, 04:31 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Just in time for St. Paddy's Day, we've learned that a little vinegar in the pot will help keep corned beef from shrinking. Is there anything this simple, wonderfully inexpensive liquid can't do? (Hint: Don't use the balsamic.)
Deborah Ng at Simply Thrifty presents "66 uses for vinegar," including a number that were surprising to us. For instance, at the beach, vinegar on a cloth can ease the pain of sunburn and a jellyfish sting. Now that spring is near and we can hang our laundry out to dry, it's great to know a little vinegar in the wash will soften clothes. Also in honor of spring, we mention that vinegar is great for removing bird droppings from patio furniture.
We'd earlier reported that soaking a showerhead in vinegar will unclog it, that vinegar will control weeds, and that some cider vinegar in the chickens' drinking water will keep them from pecking at each other.
But did you know that swallowing a teaspoon of vinegar is supposed to stop hiccups, and that vinegar will remove soap scum, strip wallpaper and keep cut flowers fresh longer?Simply Thrifty also recommends the vinegar cure when your dog gets the worse end of a confrontation with a skunk. Don't forget to "soak paintbrushes in warm vinegar to soften." The next time someone sticks chewing gum in your hair, try a little vinegar to get it out.
