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Cheap cure-all: 66 reasons to keep vinegar on hand

Posted Mar 14 2008, 04:31 PM by Karen Datko
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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.

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Comments

 

I mix vinegar and water together in a squirt bottle and use it to clean windows, tile,

refigerators, stoves, just about anyting around the house.  I have only one other cleaning product that I use on really hard to clean items.

Leeora (Posted 03.24.08 11:48 PM ) Report Abuse

I use vinegar to freshen my breath, clean fruit and veggies, and, combined with baking soda, does an awesome job for cleaning brass and black heal marks from floors.

Marcia (Posted 04.15.08 10:02 AM ) Report Abuse

Congratulations Deb for being mentioned.

Karen

http://thriftymommy.com

Thrifty Karen (Posted 04.16.08 1:03 PM ) Report Abuse

can you recommend a book that has all the info about vinegar

Hubert Schulte (Posted 04.17.08 1:58 AM ) Report Abuse

vinegar & salt cleans copper bottom pans.  vinegar and baking soda freshins stinky sink drains..hot water and a bottle of vinegar will soften new jeans

sally cornett (Posted 04.17.08 2:40 PM ) Report Abuse

Two capfuls of vinager in your wash will make white clothes look pearly white again instead of dingy.

Renita Lauderdale (Posted 10.14.08 6:41 AM ) Report Abuse

Does everyone use regular white vinegar?  I have never branched out to try any of these because I am worried about the smell.  Vinegar in clothes?  On counter tops?  The smell doesn't sound appealing.  What does everyone do for that?

Tiffany Vorhies (Posted 12.16.08 4:32 PM ) Report Abuse

My mother once had a condition known as shingles. She was hospitalized with it. My brother came across a book of cure-alls with vinegar. I don't know if she drank the vinegar or put it on the affected area. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks

SCOOT IRWIN (Posted 12.27.08 10:12 AM ) Report Abuse

I`ve been having trouble with circulation in my legs. An old wives tale says to mix white viegar with cranberry juice to improve it. Any ideas or comments welcome. Thanks

robert stone (Posted 01.12.09 9:55 PM ) Report Abuse

tiny drop in cats water to acidify urine for cats with urinary health problems. (Note: only a tiny one drop from dropper dispenser, otherwise too strong, they can taste and smell it and won't drink it). Keep fresh, cold water, replacing it morning and night.

I have other water bowls that have just plain water but one that will have the vinegar so you can note if they will or won't drink it. Some cats won't so you need to keep fresh water for them especially if you have more than one cat.

Teaspoon of vinegar added to a glass of water, drink before you eat will take the edge off of your hunger and is good for those on a diet.  Much like adding a slice of lemon to water.

As a child I sunburned very badly. My grandmother would take a bottle of apple cider vinegar and throughout the day splash it on my burns.* White vinegar does not work as well.  You do not wash it off. It does burn you when you do this but will cure the sun burn after a day or so.  Living in Hawaii, I used this when I would get a terrible burn, with blistering and peeling later.  We would splash the vinegar on, leave it on and then gently spread regular Noxema from a jar on. I would do this several times a day. I didn't always have the Noxema along with it but always had the vinegar. The vinegar always worked. If I used just the Noxema, I would usually not heal as quickly.  I'm now in my 70's

Gina (Posted 01.13.09 6:05 AM ) Report Abuse

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