Vinegar: Is There Anything This Stuff Can't Do?

By Julie

Vinegar has a whole heap of uses, and you probably know some of them, such as cleaning… well, just about anything. Actually, I don’t know why Walmart even has a cleaning aisle that has anything other than giant bottles of the stuff.

I can personally attest to its ability to relieve sunburn pain. Let’s just say I spent a leetle too much time lounging on the beach during my honeymoon such that my newly minted husband had to run to the 7-11 for a jug of Heinz white to pour over me in the bathtub. I smelled like a salad, but at least I didn’t sting anymore.

Apparently, it can also cure hiccups, condition hair, and make your hosiery last longer.

But my favorite, most recent discovery about this particular fruit of the vine is a kitchen tip.  If you are cooking something with a strong aroma that you just don’t want hanging around, pour a little bit (oh, say ½ a cup to a cup) in a bowl and set it out on the counter. The vinegar will absorb all the smells. And this I can attest to as well. It really works. No more lingering onions, garlic, or fish.

So put down the can of Lysol and leave a little vinegar sitting out. Just make sure no unsuspecting fool thinks it’s a glass of water waiting to be gulped.

What are your favorite tips and tricks with vinegar?

Comments

[Christy]

I buy vinegar at costco and use it for all kinds of things. I use it as laundry softener and for cleaning the bathroom. I really like your tip about reducing smells. Thanks.

[Elsha]

A trick my husband taught me is to add a little vinegar to the water when you're poaching eggs. It helps the eggs keep their shape.

[Wendi]

I'm kind of chuckling because I *hate* the smell of vinegar with a passion. The last thing I would do is leave a bowl of it around to absorb an offensive smell, because the smell of vinegar is more offensive than anything. lol

I do use it (sparingly) when I cook and my husband uses it to clean the guinea pig cage, but I always have to burn a candle or something to get rid of the horrible vinegar smell. (I know, I'm weird!!)