Vinegar's many uses will have your home sparkling

On Saturday, I was in one of our local stores buying vinegar. The young lady at the checkout counter found it interesting that I was buying so much vinegar and started asking me questions. She was surprised by the many uses for vinegar.

I thought this week I would share with you some of the many uses for vinegar.

1. Use white vinegar to remove heavy soap scum and mineral deposits from showers, tubs and sinks. Warm the vinegar and put it in a spray bottle. Spray on showers, tubs and sinks and let soak for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then use a nylon scrub sponge to remove the scum. Re-spray if necessary. To remove mineral deposits around drains, close the drain and pour in enough white vinegar to cover the drain. Let it soak overnight, scrub with a nylon scrub sponge, drain and rinse the area.

2. To remove scum and mineral deposits from the shower head, put undiluted white vinegar in a plastic bag. Tie it around the shower head overnight. Scrub the head and poke mineral deposits loose with a toothpick. Rinse clean.

3. To remove soap scum and mold from shower curtains and liners, fill the washing machine with warm water, add one cup of white vinegar and your regular detergent. Place in the washing machine, two or three old towels and then place into the machine your shower curtains and wash as normal. Run through the complete cycle and re-hang immediately.

4. When you have really greasy dishes, add three tablespoons of white vinegar along with dishwashing liquid to hot water. It cuts the grease off and cleans up crystal.

5. Add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the washing machine during the final rinse to soften clothes and remove lint from dark clothes.

6. For a bug repellent, apply undiluted white vinegar to a white cotton ball and rub it on your skin. Bugs hate the taste and the odor disappears quickly.

7. Neutralize pet urine odor with diluted white vinegar (25 percent vinegar and 75 percent water). Spray the mixture on the carpet. Note: Test your carpet first in an inconspicuous area first before treating a large area.

8. You can clean stainless sinks with a paste made of baking soda and white vinegar. Don't be alarmed by the foaming action — it works great.

9. Make a window clear by placing into a spray bottle 1/4 cup of white vinegar to one quart of water.

10. Clean and deodorize vinyl floors by using 1/2 cup white vinegar to one gallon of water.

11. Clean mirrors with a solution of half vinegar and half water. Wet a sponge or soft cloth, wash and then buff the mirror. Note: Never spray water onto a mirror because moisture becomes trapped under the edges and behind the mirror. It will ruin the slivering on the mirror, resulting in dark spots on the mirror.

12. To make an excellent toilet cleaner with one cup of borax and one cup of white vinegar. Pour white vinegar over the stain and then sprinkle borax over the vinegar. Let it soak for about two hours, then brush and flush.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), e-mail them to madan@surf1.ws or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, Box 159, Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do? For more information about Ed, check him out at NWEES.com.

? Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is the CEO of Northwest Executive & Environmental Services, LLC.