The Magic of White Vinegar

[OakLeaf]

Better for the environment too!

Care to share your sources? CLR is food grade and recommended for cleaning coffee makers and glasses - obviously fewer ingredients are better, and the foaming and gelling agents are unnecessary, but they're relatively benign.

I hadn't known until I looked it up just now that white vinegar is usually made from barley, not from corn (the primary source of acetic acid) - that makes even non-organically grown vinegar somewhat better for the environment than citric acid. Am I a Bad Person because I hate the smell too much to switch?



ETA - A couple of years ago I asked here about using acids in the washing machine, and I believe it was Irulan, our resident fabric expert, who recommended against it - said it could corrode the internal workings. I guess it would be okay if you did a titration first to find out exactly how much acid to use just to neutralize the bases in your water - but even then you'd want to put it directly in with the clothes after the tub was filled for the last rinse, not in the dispenser where it would (1) sit during washing and (2) pass undiluted through the hoses and valves.

[Blueberry]

Baking Soda is another one that we use a LOT of for cleaning. Works as well as most of the other abrasive cleaners - but I have heard better for the environment.

Vinegar - I use it, DH uses it more - I usually protest the smell, but have learned to live with it.

Got good sources for Citric Acid? I use it to clean my Zojirushi water dispenser (which is in dire need of cleaning again despite my insistence on filtered water use).

[OakLeaf]

Any place that sells beer or winemaking supplies will have citric acid around $4-5 a pound.

Natural food stores that carry herbs and spices in bulk sometimes have it, too. But a lot of natural food stores also have citric acid in little bottles at a much higher price.

[PamNY]

ETA - A couple of years ago I asked here about using acids in the washing machine, and I believe it was Irulan, our resident fabric expert, who recommended against it - said it could corrode the internal workings. I guess it would be okay if you did a titration first to find out exactly how much acid to use just to neutralize the bases in your water - but even then you'd want to put it directly in with the clothes after the tub was filled for the last rinse, not in the dispenser where it would (1) sit during washing and (2) pass undiluted through the hoses and valves.

That sounds reasonable. I don't think I'd chance it. I have a front loader, so couldn't just dump it in.

Lots of people love vinegar, but I never feel it cleans very well. Perhaps I'm dirtier to begin with.

[soprano]

ETA - A couple of years ago I asked here about using acids in the washing machine, and I believe it was Irulan, our resident fabric expert, who recommended against it - said it could corrode the internal workings. I guess it would be okay if you did a titration first to find out exactly how much acid to use just to neutralize the bases in your water

Our tap water is so ridiculously alkaline (pH 8.6) that I don't really think that is a valid concern. One half cup of vinegar isn't going to contain nearly enough hydrogen ions to mitigate however many gallons of tap water that go through the wash. My former machine, however, was horribly clogged from years of too much fabric softener (thanks, former residents of my house!) and tried to flood the kitchen with regularity.

[zoom-zoom]

We also really like boric acid for all sorts of applications. It gets added to all of our laundry loads, instead of powdered water softener. We really regret not getting a water softener when we first bought the house, but salt is $$. Then again, so are Borax, distilled water for the coffee, frequent new filters for the humidifier...

[jessmarimba]

I've used vinegar to clean up after the cats for years...couldn't use anything else with the blind one when she had accidents.

But I kind of like the smell of vinegar. It reminds me of dying easter eggs as a child.

[GLC1968]

White vinegar kills dandelions. I *heart* it for that alone!

[shootingstar]

didn't know it was a form of weedkiller.

Another useful household thing but for different stuff is baking soda. makes certain things shine by removing some grease off some pots, etc. I use it to brighten up my silver jewellery.

[SadieKate]

White vinegar kills dandelions. I *heart* it for that alone!

What? Just pour it on full strength? What about the grass or other vegetation?

And will you come help me with a midnight raid on a neighbors' yard?

[GLC1968]

What? Just pour it on full strength? What about the grass or other vegetation?

And will you come help me with a midnight raid on a neighbors' yard?

Sure! *insert evil laugh*

But yeah, it will probably kill grass, too. I poured about a half cup (full strength) over these two MASSIVE dandelions that were on the edge of our rose bush area. I poured it slowly so that it soaked in only where the weeds were (and didn't seep into the rose bushes). I've really only used it on the weeds in our gravel driveway or the path - not the lawn itself. You know, maybe I'll try it on the lawn this week anyway. It's not like I love our lawn all that much that a brown spot or two would bother me... I'll report back!

[Biciclista]

What? Just pour it on full strength? What about the grass or other vegetation?

And will you come help me with a midnight raid on a neighbors' yard?

do you live next door to me??

I've discovered that you can only eat so many dandelions. Also, they are not as bad as blackberries, which are not as bad as English Holly and English Ivy...

I'm going to try to take a musty smell out of an antique dresser i just bought by painting the inside unfinished wood with vinegar... wish me luck.

[grey]

White vinegar kills dandelions. I *heart* it for that alone!

NOOOOOO! You don't KILL dandelions, you EAT THEM!

"Dandelion is a spring tonic - somewhat laxative, mildly diuretic, and improves the function of the liver, promoting secretion of bile. As such, dandelion is an excellent blood-cleanser, helping rid the system of accumulated toxins and improving bad skin.
Fresh buds and flowers are a cleansing yet fortifying, trailside snack. The fresh greens are an excellent salad ingredient..." (I use them in place of arugula)

I make a tincture of dandelion roots & arial parts every spring... it's my secret hangover cure. A teaspoon in water and... bye bye hangover!

Roasted roots apparently make a decent coffee substitute. I haven't tried this, so I don't know. You can also make dandelion wine, and dandelion jelly, from the flowers.

We should be killing grass, not dandelions Besides... what kid doesn't love blowing those awesome seeds everywhere?
Edit: I guess I should be happy you are all using vinegar to kill "weeds" and not Roundup.
Edit 2: If you really want to get rid of dandelions, you have to dig them up. The whole thing - even a piece of root will let the plant regenerate.
You should eat what grows outside your door - in my case it's dandelions, plantain, lamb's quarters, and comfrey.


BACK ON TOPIC (sorry, just had to get that out!): I use vinegar, baking soda, salt & lemon for almost everything. For grout I mix baking soda & salt for a stronger scrub, lemon and baking soda clean & whiten my porcelain sink, and vinegar makes the baking soda fun and fuzzy.

Baking soda & lemon juice made into a paste will also get the funkies out of travel mugs (hubby forgets to bring them back home for DAYS sometimes) or water bottles.

Vinegar in a spray bottle + sunshine gets odors out of fabrics.

[GLC1968]

NOOOOOO! You don't KILL dandelions, you EAT THEM!

My dear, you are preaching to the choir! We eat dandelions too, but even if you eat them, they WILL take over everything else and I'd hate to miss out on all the other things we've planted because dandelions get out of control. Trust me, there are plenty left. NO ONE could eat all the dandelions on our property.

Even edible plants can be a problem.

I'm sure you've got Kudzu growing somewhere near you, right? Even though it's edible and nutritious, it's out of control all over the south. Some of it must be killed or it will take over everything!

Where I live, blackberries are an invasive species and must be held back or they destroy trees, other growing things and sometimes even barns and sheds! Yep, delicious blackberries can be destructive. Thankfully, our goats LOVE blackberry brambles so we don't have to resort to noxious chemicals.

Oh, and we don't kill grass at our place - we use it to feed our goats and chickens. Grass is a wonderous commodity when it's not confined to suburban lawns, so please...don't kill grass.

[emily_in_nc]

But I kind of like the smell of vinegar. It reminds me of dying easter eggs as a child.

I agree! That's what I always get flashbacks to when I use it.